Ghana : Travel Health

WARNING! This information is out-dated and likely to be inaccurate!

Researching Travel Plans

Please note that this health information about Ghana may be out-of-date. Always research the current health conditions and issues in any region you plan to visit prior to departure.

Infectious Diseases and Medical Concerns for Ghana

The following medical diseases or health concerns are more common in travel to Ghana (compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World):

• travelers' diarrhea
• cholera
• malaria
• Escherichia coli diarrhea
• hepatitis A
• hepatitis B
• hepatitis C
• schistosomiasis - found in fresh water
• typhoid fever
• yellow fever
• Insect born diseases
• parasitic diseases
• Dengue fever
• filariasis
• leishmaniasis
• onchocerciasis
• trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)
• diptheria - endemic to the region
• chickungunya

More Common Diseases and Medical Concerns for Ghana

The following health concerns or diseases are more commonly found in Ghana compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World:

• motor vehicle trauma - wear seatbelts and avoid night driving

Less Common Diseases and Health Concerns for Ghana

The following health concerns or medical diseases are less commonly found in Ghana compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World:

• poliomyelitis
• Lassa fever - sporadic cases

Vaccinations for Travel to Ghana

The following medical vaccinations are desirable or helpful for travel to Ghana to prevent contagious diseases in Ghana:

• hepatitis A - or immune globulin (IG)
• hepatitis B - if risk of exposure to blood/bodily fluid or medical treatment or if your stay will be longer than 6 months then all infants and children 11-12 years who did not complete the series as infants
• rabies - if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation
• typhoid
• Meningococcal meningitis for travel from December through June
• yellow fever
• tetanus - booster dose as needed
• diphtheria - booster dose as needed
• measles - booster dose as needed
• polio - one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults

Preventions or Health Precautions for Travel to Ghana

Any health risk of travel to Ghana may be reduced by the following precautionary health measures when visiting Ghana:

• Take your malaria prevention medication before/during/after travel as directed
• high rate of motor vehicle trauma - avoid night driving and wear seatbelts
• mosquito bite prevention
• insect bite protection
• avoid drinking non-treated water - only drink bottled or canned water
• eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself
• keep feet clean and dry - help prevent parasitic infections
• do not go barefoot - help prevent parasitic infections
• always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
• don't eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized
• don't eat food purchased from street vendors
• don't drink beverages with ice
• don't eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized
• don't share needles with anyone
• don't handle animals (especially monkeys/dogs/cats) - to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague - risk for travelers is small)
• don't swim in fresh water - including the Nile. Salt water is usually safer
• avoid crowded public places and public transportation whenever possible

Other Relevant Issues for Travel to Ghana

The following may be issues relevant to travel to Ghana:

• medical care is substandard in most regions
• ample private care available in Accra but not to standard of industrialized countries

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