General recommendations

Chikungunya, dengue, African tick-bite fever, and African trypanosomiasis (African sleeping sickness) are diseases carried by insects that occur in Malawi. For information on disease prevention, please visit the CDC Insect Protection Advice.

Many countries in Africa have high incidence rates of tuberculosis (TB). For further information, please visit the CDCTuberculosis Advice.

Many countries in Africa have high HIV prevalence rates. For further information, please visit the CDC HIV Advice.

Recommendations

It is recommended that travellers are up to date on routine vaccinations including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT), varicella (chickenpox), polio, and yearly flu shots.

A hepatitis A vaccination is recommended as travellers may contract hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in Malawi, regardless of where they are eating or staying.

A hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for those who may have sexual contact with a new partner, who may get a tattoo or piercing, or have any medical procedures.

A typhoid vaccination is recommended for most travellers, especially those staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or for those that are adventurous eaters.

Cholera is a risk in Malawi, and this vaccination is recommended for adults who are travelling to an area of active cholera transmission. However, because cholera is rare in travellers, consultation with a doctor regarding this vaccination should be sought prior to travel. For further information on this recommendation, please visit the CDCCholera Advice.

A rabies vaccination is recommended for those planning an outdoor holiday, for wildlife professionals such as veterinarians and researchers, for those who are taking a long trip or moving to Malawi, and children as they are more likely to receive animal bites.

Travellers to Malawi should take anti-malarial medication before, during, and after their trip. Consultation with a doctor regarding this medication should be sought prior to travel. For further information on this recommendation, please visit the CDC Malaria in Malawi.

Note: Chloroquine is NOT an effective anti-malarial medication in Malawi.

Regulation

Yellow Fever Advice.

Cholera Advice.

Malaria in Malawi.

Insect Protection Advice.

Tuberculosis Advice.

HIV Advice.