last edited Dec 11, 2019
Health and Safety in West and Central Africa
Official Recommendations
In France, both for individuals and professionals, the "travel advice" from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding precautions for each country has legal value. A similar online travel advice system exists in several countries:
Precautions
This part of Africa – like much of the rest of the continent – can prove challenging for travellers depending on the time and place. Many diseases are already widespread. In addition, many countries face an insecure climate, linked to both crime and socio-political issues, which means that many regions are strongly discouraged or even off-limits to visitors. In short, more than anywhere else, a certain level of caution is required at all times, and it will always be necessary to check the current situation before travelling independently to the places you plan to visit.
Health
Diseases
Beyond the 2014 Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea, with malaria, dengue, schistosomiasis, rabies, meningitis, yellow fever, typhoid, cholera, STIs, and traveller’s diarrhoea, sub-Saharan Africa "combines" possible risks, even if situations vary from place to place. That said, perhaps more than elsewhere, it is best to always check the current situation of the place you plan to visit, as well as to prepare accordingly in terms of prevention and vaccinations.
Hygiene
As always, and especially if you venture off the beaten track, good personal and food hygiene is essential if you are not used to "eating local". In this case, avoid dishes or foods that do not appear completely fresh, if only to prevent traveller’s diarrhoea. As for tap water, it is better to opt for bottled mineral water. Also, do not forget good hydration and sun protection in the hottest regions/periods.
Local Healthcare Facilities
Safety
Crime and Delinquency
This is a major issue in many countries. There are "classic" risks such as pickpocketing, assaults, and various scams, as well as more "local" threats like vehicle attacks by highway robbers. As a result, it is better to take precautions and always remain vigilant. In another area, note that the Gulf of Guinea is a maritime piracy zone.
Socio-Political Risks
Both in West and Central Africa, local or international political tensions, as well as terrorist risks, exist. In fact, entire countries like the DRC are largely discouraged, as are traditionally certain regions of Mali (even more so since the French intervention), Mauritania, Niger, Chad, Nigeria, the Central African Republic, and even a few others. We could also add countries like Guinea or Cameroon, which are partially discouraged more or less regularly depending on the current situation.
In short, it is best to know what you are getting into before venturing into many regions of sub-Saharan Africa...
Climate and Nature
Although they are often less significant than health or socio-political risks, climatic hazards also exist in this part of Africa. Obviously, the heat and desert areas of the Sahara or its surroundings require the most precautions. There are also a few active volcanoes, such as in Cameroon, and strong currents along certain coasts of the Gulf of Guinea.
As for animals, there is not too much risk of dangerous encounters unless you venture alone anywhere in the wild. Generally, the main concerns are stray dogs carrying rabies and, above all, mosquitoes that can transmit dengue or malaria.