Cameroon

Medical Summary

General Information

Cameroon is a developing nation classified as lower middle income. Located in western Africa (east of Nigeria and north of Equatorial Guinea), the climate is extremely diverse with classifications that range from arid (dry) in the north to humid equatorial (short dry season) in the south.

Vaccinations

Routine vaccinations are essential due to a persistent rise of vaccine-preventable diseases (especially markedly high rates of diphtheria, pertussis, and measles) globally. Prior to travel, travelers should be up-to-date with the age-appropriate routine vaccinations recommended by their home country, which may include: COVID-19; H. influenzae type B (Hib); hepatitis A; hepatitis B; herpes zoster; human papillomavirus; influenza; measles, mumps, rubella; meningococcal; pneumococcal; polio; rotavirus; tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap preferred; consider an early pertussis booster for high-risk travelers); varicella.

Yellow Fever

See also: Library article for Yellow Fever

• Requirement:

  A certificate proving yellow fever vaccination is required for all travelers aged ≥ 1 year. Note: Reports indicate that lifetime validity is not recognized for vaccinations received prior to 2004 and a general nonrecognition of lifetime validity may sporadically occur for certain visa applicants as well as at immigration checkpoints (mainly Douala International Airport), despite Cameroon's published declaration to the contrary under the International Health Regulations.

  Supplementary requirement for exit: Cameroon authorities enforce proof of YF vaccination for travelers departing Cameroon. This exit requirement is to supplement Cameroon's existing entry requirement under the International Health Regulations.

• Official Status: listed by WHO as a country where YF transmission risk is present.

Other Vaccines

Depending on your itinerary, your personal risk factors, and the length of your visit, your health care provider may offer you vaccination against chikungunya, cholera, Ebola virus disease, mpox, rabies, typhoid fever, or a one time polio booster if you haven't previously received one for travel.

Malaria

See also: Library article for Malaria

The following is current information as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

WHO—International Travel and Health (current online update, Country List)

(2020) Malaria risk due predominantly to P. falciparum exists throughout the year in the entire country.

• Recommended prevention: C – Risk of P. falciparum malaria, in combination with reported chloroquine and sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine resistance. Mosquito bite prevention plus atovaquone–proguanil or doxycycline or mefloquine chemoprophylaxis (select according to reported side effects and contraindications) ^{a
  a}Alternatively, for travel to rural areas with low risk of malaria infection, mosquito bite prevention can be combined with stand–by emergency treatment (SBET).

WHO Country List footnote: When available, the date of the most recent update or confirmation is indicated in parentheses in the country list. If no date is indicated, the most recent update or confirmation was provided before 2013.

CDC—Health Information for International Travel (current online edition)

Areas with malaria: All.

• Drug resistance³ : Chloroquine.
• Malaria species: P. falciparum >85%, P. ovale 5%–10%, P. vivax rare.
• Recommended chemoprophylaxis: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or tafenoquine.^{4
  3} Refers to P. falciparum malaria unless otherwise noted.
  ⁴ Primaquine and tafenoquine can cause hemolytic anemia in people with G6PD deficiency. Patients must be screened for G6PD deficiency before starting primaquine or tafenoquine. See Tafenoquine Approved for Malaria Prophylaxis and Treatment for more information.

Other Concerns

Travelers' Diarrhea

See also: Library article for Travelers' Diarrhea

High risk exists throughout the country, including in deluxe accommodations. Community sanitation and food safety measures are generally inadequate. Some itineraries (e.g., remote destinations, austere accommodations) and activities (e.g., ecotourism, eating street or local-market food) further increase risk.

Travelers should observe food and beverage precautions, which reduce the likelihood of illness.

Travelers should carry loperamide for self-treatment of diarrhea and, if risk is moderate to high, an antibiotic to add if diarrhea is severe. Consult a knowledgeable health care provider regarding which antibiotic is appropriate for you and most effective for your destination.

Other Food-Borne Illnesses

Precautions to prevent brucellosis, seafood poisoning may be needed.

Insect- and Arthropod-Borne Diseases

African trypanosomiasis, dengue, leishmaniasis, loiasis, onchocerciasis, tick-bite fever, West Nile virus, Zika may pose a risk. Personal protective measures are important.

Other Disease and Health Risks

Additional concerns include air pollution, anthrax disease, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, helminths, lassa fever, leptospirosis, Marburg virus disease, marine hazards, melioidosis, schistosomiasis, sexually transmitted infections, snakebites, tuberculosis.

Safety and Security

See also: Library article for Safety and Security

Key Safety Risks

• Road conditions and traffic collisions
• Public transportation
• Petty crime
• Heightened crime risk for women
• Scams
• Unlawful detention

Key Security Threats

• Armed conflict
• Terrorist attacks, which may target foreign nationals
• Risk of violent civil unrest
• Risk of violent protests
• Cross-border threats in areas bordering Central African Republic, Chad, and Nigeria
• Explosions in public places
• Violent crime
• Kidnapping, which may target foreign nationals
• Random acts of armed violence
• Piracy

Emergency Phone Number

The police emergency number is 117.