Medical Summary
The health risk information presented here is summarized from Shoreland Travax®, a decision-support tool used by health care providers to perform a detailed health risk analysis based on specific locations, individual travel styles, and traveler risk behaviors. Travax provides practitioners current, independently researched malaria risk and prevention recommendations in a map-based format that goes beyond the annual WHO and US CDC statements included here. Not included here are current reports from Travax of disease outbreaks or environmental events that may pose elevated risks to travelers’ health and safety. The Providers section of this site offers a directory of health care providers who utilize Shoreland Travax for travel health counseling. Learn more about the detailed reports and maps available from these practitioners (includes links to samples).
General Information
Niger is a developing nation classified as low income. Located in western Africa (east of Mali and west of Chad), the climate is classified as predominantly dry (arid).
Vaccinations
Yellow Fever
See also: Library article for Yellow Fever
- Requirement: A certificate proving yellow fever vaccination is required for all travelers aged ≥ 9 months.
- 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 cholera, COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal meningitis, rabies, typhoid fever, or a one time polio booster if you haven't previously received one for travel. Routine immunizations, such as those that prevent tetanus/diphtheria or "childhood" diseases, should be reviewed and updated as needed.
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
aAlternatively, 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 may be needed.
Insect- and Arthropod-Borne Diseases
African trypanosomiasis, dengue, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, Rift Valley fever, Zika may pose a risk. Personal protective measures are important.
Other Disease and Health Risks
Additional concerns include anthrax disease, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, helminths, hepatitis C, leptospirosis, schistosomiasis, sexually transmitted infections, snakebites, tuberculosis.
Consular Advice
The material below includes information from the US Department of State (DOS), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), as well as from additional open-source material. Standard safety precautions that apply to all international travel can be found in the Library article Safety and Security.
Consular Travel Advice
Due to the unpredictable security situation, terrorism, violent crime, and kidnapping, consular sources recommend avoiding travel to this country.
A state of emergency is in effect in regions throughout the country; curfews may be in place in some towns.
Terrorism Risk
High risk of attack by transnational terrorist groups exists throughout the country, especially in areas bordering Mali, Libya, and Algeria; remote regions; and Diffa, Tillaberi, and Tahoua regions. Targets may include domestic and international organizations and businesses; public places and events, including those frequented by tourists; and transportation systems.
High risk of kidnapping by terrorist groups exists throughout the country, including Niamey, southeastern areas of Diffa Region, and areas bordering Mali, Burkina Faso, Libya, and Algeria. Targets may include foreigners (especially Westerners), journalists, nongovernmental organization workers, missionaries, and aid workers.
Crime
High risk of violent crime (armed robbery, home robbery, home invasion, and carjacking) and high risk of petty crime exist throughout the country, especially in Niamey (areas around Hotel Gaweye, National Museum, Petit Market, and Kennedy Bridge [on foot]), on or near public transportation (particularly buses traveling between Tahoua and Agadez and Agadez and Arlit), and in border areas.
Scams involving a wide range of financial activities have been reported.
Civil Unrest
Protests and demonstrations frequently occur throughout the country and are generally peaceful but have the potential to turn violent without warning. Bystanders are at risk of harm from violence or from the response by authorities. Disruption to transportation, free movement, or the ability to carry out daily activities may occur.
Unsafe Areas
A dangerous security environment may exist throughout the country, particularly in areas bordering Mali, in Diffa Region (bordering Nigeria), and in areas surrounding Lake Chad. Landmines and other unexploded ordnance are present throughout the country, especially in Agadez Region.
Transportation Safety
Significant risk of traffic-related injury or death exists. The road traffic death rate is more than 24 per 100,000 population, the highest risk category. Carefully assess the safety of transportation options before any road travel.
Structural standards for vehicles may not meet international standards.
Natural Disasters
The rainy season is from June through October. Floods, mudslides, and landslides may occur.
Sandstorms and dust storms occur.
Consular Information
Selected Embassies or Consulates in Niger
- United States: [+227] 20-72-26-61; ne.usembassy.gov
- Canada: [+227] 20-37-09-81; travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates/niger
- United Kingdom: [+234 ] (1) 277 0780/0781/0782; https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-niamey
- Australia: Australia does not have an embassy or consulate in Niger.
Niger's Embassies or Consulates in Selected Countries
- In the U.S.: www.embassyofniger.org
- In Canada: Niger does not have an embassy or consulate in Canada.
- In the U.K.: Niger does not have an embassy or consulate in the U.K.
- In Australia: Niger does not have an embassy or consulate in Australia.
