UGANDA
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Travelling to Uganda? Here’s All You Need to Know
Churchill referred to Uganda as the pearl of Africa. It is in East Africa and is a landlocked country, which is home to the most varied and concentrated range of African animal species in all of Africa. One of the few places in the world to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, Uganda also has many game reserves, national parks, mountain ranges and lakes to see.
Travel Vaccinations for Uganda?
All Travellers
Before any travel make sure that you are up-to-date with your routine vaccinations including Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio and Measles, Mumps and Rubella.
Most Travellers
Most travellers will need a course or booster of Hepatitis A and Typhoid Vaccinations as there is a risk of these diseases across Uganda.
Some Travellers
Depending upon your itinerary, medical condition, occupational and lifestyle risk factors and previous vaccination history you may also be advised the following vaccinations for travel to Uganda; Rabies, Hepatitis B, Cholera, Meningitis and Yellow Fever.
Travel Vaccination Prices
How Long Before Travel Should I Book?
What if I’m Travelling Last Minute?
What Vaccinations and Medications will I Need?
Will I Receive a Vaccination Record Card?
Do you Provide Certificates?
Travel Vaccination Prices
London Vaccination Clinic is competitively priced and provides the best value travel vaccination service in London. We accept cash, credit and debit cards. All of our prices for travel vaccinations and medication are listed below. Check out our Prices.
How Long Before Travel Should I Book?
It is best that you come and see us at least four weeks before you head off as you may require a course of injections such as Rabies, Hepatitis B, or Cholera. If you just need a booster than 14 days is fine.
What if I’m Travelling Last Minute?
We always recommend that you come and see us even if it is one day before you travel as we can still vaccinate you and give you important health advice and Malaria Tablets should you require them.
What Vaccinations and Medications will I Need?
The vaccinations and medications that you may require will depend upon your current and previous health history, you work and lifestyle risks as well as you travel plans. Have a look through our Destination Pages to look at the recommended vaccinations and other travel health issues for each country that you are intending to visit.
Will I Receive a Vaccination Record Card?
You will be given a vaccination record card to show what vaccinations you have been given. It includes how long the vaccination is effective for as the dates you will need to be given a booster. If you already have a vaccination record card, bring it with you to your consultation so that we can look at your past immunisation history.
Do you Provide Certificates?
We provide certificates for ACWY Meningitis and Yellow Fever Vaccinations. An ACWY Meningitis vaccination and certificate is an essential visa requirement for travellers to the Hajj and Umrah and a Yellow Fever certificate is and essential visa requirement for entry into certain countries in South America and Africa.
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Risk of Malaria in Uganda
There is a high risk of Malaria across Uganda including the cities of Kampala, Kigezi and Mbale. Travellers are advised to be risk assessed for travel to any part of Uganda.
Malaria is spread by the plasmodium parasite passed to humans from the bite of an anopheles mosquito. Malaria is a serious illness with symptoms include fever, chills, sweats and flu like symptoms. In severe cases, malaria can be fatal. There isn’t currently a vaccine available for our travellers, although there are other ways to protect yourself.
Travellers to areas where there is a risk of malaria should get advice regarding medication which can be taken to help stop the illness from developing. The type of medication required depends on your destination, itinerary, length of stay and current medical condition. Further reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes by using insect repellant such as DEET 50% and covering up exposed skin by wearing long sleeves and trousers.
Yellow Fever Requirements for Uganda
There is a risk of Yellow Fever across all of Uganda. Travellers to Uganda are advised to be vaccinated prior to travel. In addition, Under International Health Regulations (2005), travellers who have been to an area affected by Yellow Fever, or who have travelled via an airport of a country affected, are required to present an International Certificate of Vaccination (ICVP) before they are allowed to enter India.
Yellow Fever is a serious viral illness spread by mosquitoes in the tropical regions of Africa and South America. It causes severe flu-like symptoms which can develop into a serious illness including haemorrhagic fever, which can be fatal. The Yellow Fever Vaccination is given as a single dose that you need to have at least ten days prior to travel.
Non-Vaccine Preventable Diseases for Uganda
Dengue Fever is a mosquito-borne disease common throughout the tropics. Unlike Malaria, the mosquitoes that carry the Dengue Fever virus tend to bite mainly during the daytime. Those infected with the disease suffer from severe aches and pains in the muscles and bones and develop flu like symptoms. Travellers can reduce the risk of getting Dengue Fever by avoiding being bitten by mosquitoes including covering up areas of exposed skin with long trousers and long sleeves as well as wearing insect repellant such as DEET 50%. There is no vaccination for Dengue Fever, treatment is supportive only.
Schistosomiasis is a tiny flatworm which infect freshwater snails which produces a larvae which penetrates the skin of people who come into contact with infested freshwater rivers and lakes. The larvae penetrate the blood vessels and move to the liver where they develop in to worms. Schistosomiasis can be treated early with an anti parasitic drug called praziquantel. It is best however to avoid swimming or bathing in high risk areas.
General Travel Health Risks for Uganda
Malaria
Malaria precautions are strongly advised for travel to Uganda as it is considered a malarial risk country. Talk to our travel nurse who will be best able to advise you. Taking reasonable steps to reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes is always advisable to give yourself the greatest protection against infection.
Dengue Fever
Dengue fever precautions should be taken for travel to Uganda. Dengue fever is caused by mosquito bites from a specific mosquito, which seems to be most active during daylight. There is no medical protection against dengue fever. What you can do is try to avoid mosquito bites and use mosquito repellent and a mosquito net. Our travel nurse will be best able to advise you.
Schistomiasis
Schistomiasis is a flatworm infection that is known to occur in Uganda. You can get it through contact with affected fresh water streams, rivers or lakes. If you think you may have been exposed to or have contacted Schistomiasis, seek professional medical help.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness may be a problem in Uganda depending on where in the country you are travelling. You can obtain altitude sickness medication and practice appropriate acclimatisation and gradual ascents to counter altitude sickness. Don’t forget, its not just your climbing altitude but your sleeping altitude as well that must be considered. If you are climbing/trekking into high altitude, practice safe measures. Our travel nurse will be able to advise you on the precautions you need to take.
Heat and Humidity
The climate in Uganda is not as uniform as you may think so it really depends on when and where in Uganda you are travelling to on the precautions you will need to take. Please check the weather for the period you are travelling, as you will need to pack adequately and take reasonable precautions.
Water Safe
Tap water is not considered safe to drink so drink bottled water and always check the water that food has been washed in. Bottled water in Uganda is called mineral water and is widely available.
Food and Drink
Food in Uganda is varied and of good quality. There will be lots of new delicacies to sample. Each region has a specific regional dish, so ask around wherever you are based.
Animals and Insects
Lots of different infections can be spread through insect bites, including Malaria and Dengue Fever which is spread by mosquitoes. Symptoms can include fever, headache and severe joint, bone and muscular pain. Advice for these are listed above.
Health Insurance
Make sure you have health insurance in place that will cover the full range of activities you plan to undertake while abroad
Personal Safety
Road are of variable quality here so traveling distance is best measured in time it will take to your destination rather than actual distance. Try to avoid the North Eastern area of Uganda if you can as tourist have been attacked there. As with all travel, be aware of your surroundings and always keep your safety as your main priority.