Ethiopia travel health information

All about Malaria, Vaccinations, Travel health precautions, and Medical advice.

Many travelers successfully complete their Ethiopian vacation without any health problems. Take sensible precautions such as getting recommended vaccinations, eating safe food, drinking bottled water, avoiding direct sunlight, preventing insect and animal bites, and maintaining good respiratory hygiene.

Below, we provide important health information to consider before and during your trip to Ethiopia. Except for occasional sunburn or travelers’ diarrhea, the chances of developing serious illnesses are very small. It is a good idea to speak with your doctor a few weeks before your Ethiopia trip to help ensure a healthy and enjoyable journey.

Planning for Travel

First Aid Kits

There are many things you can do to prepare for a healthy trip. Here are some helpful travel health tips:

  • Get medical and dental checkups before traveling.
  • Pack more medicines and medical supplies than you think you may need.
  • Carry copies of your prescriptions with you.
  • Purchase travel insurance, including emergency evacuation coverage to the nearest suitable medical facility.
  • Bring extra contact lens solution, spare glasses, spare contact lenses, and other eye-care products you may need.
  • Prepare a basic first-aid and medical kit.
  • Take enough medication for your entire trip and bring extra in case of delays.
  • Keep medicines in their original labeled containers.
  • Get the vaccinations you need and plan vaccination updates in advance.

First Aid Kit Essentials

Carry the following medical and first-aid items with you in case of minor illness or injury:

  • 1% hydrocortisone cream
  • Antibacterial or antifungal ointments
  • Digital thermometer
  • Oral rehydration salts
  • Antiseptic wound cleaner
  • Aloe gel for sunburn
  • Insect bite anti-itch gel or cream
  • Bandages
  • Disposable gloves
  • Cotton swabs (Q-Tips)
  • Tweezers
  • Eye drops

Malaria and Avoiding Mosquitoes

Malaria is a parasitic disease transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Mosquito bites can cause irritation, lack of sleep, and malaria infection.

There is a risk of malaria in areas of Ethiopia below 2,000 meters above sea level. Addis Ababa, at approximately 2,400 meters, is generally considered malaria-free. Malaria infection rates are higher after the main rainy season from September to December, and from March to May during and after the smaller rainy season. However, the risk exists year-round, so preventive measures are strongly recommended, even for short visits.

Talk to your doctor about malaria prevention before traveling. You may need prescription anti-malaria medication before, during, and after your trip. Although several anti-malaria drugs are available, avoiding mosquito bites remains one of the best preventive measures.

How to Avoid Mosquito Bites

The CDC recommends the following:

  • Apply insect repellent to exposed skin. Recommended repellents contain 20–35% DEET.
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors at night.
  • Use a mosquito net if your room is not air-conditioned or screened.
  • Treat mosquito nets with permethrin for additional protection.
  • Spray insect repellent on clothing, as mosquitoes may bite through thin fabrics.
  • Spray pyrethrin or a similar insecticide in your room before sleeping.

Our Extra Advice

Mosquito bite prevention should begin before dusk and continue until after dawn.

  • Wear long-sleeved clothing and long trousers.
  • Use insect repellents containing DEET.
  • Sleep under a mosquito net.
  • Use mosquito coils or plug-in mosquito repellents.
  • Shower regularly to reduce sweat and body odor that attract mosquitoes.

Travelers’ Diarrhea

Travelers’ diarrhea is the most common travel-related illness and is usually caused by contaminated food or drinking water.

Common Symptoms

  • Sudden onset of diarrhea
  • Urgent need to defecate
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Fever
  • Bloating

Most travelers recover within four days with little or no treatment, although symptoms may last longer in some cases.

Prevention of Travelers’ Diarrhea

Good hygiene and safe food and water practices are essential.

Follow the golden rule for travelers:

“Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.”

  • Wash your hands properly and use hand sanitizer regularly.
  • Eat food that is freshly cooked and served hot.
  • Avoid food served at room temperature.
  • Use clean dishes and utensils.
  • Eat fruits and vegetables you can wash or peel yourself.
  • Avoid raw meat, seafood, and street food.
  • Drink bottled or properly boiled water.
  • Avoid tap water and ice made from tap water.
  • Avoid unpasteurized milk products.

Treatment

Travelers’ diarrhea often improves without medical treatment. However, if symptoms worsen or persist, consult a doctor.

Hydration

Hydration is extremely important because diarrhea causes loss of fluids and minerals.

Avoid:

  • Alcohol
  • Milk
  • Soda
  • Carbonated drinks
  • Excess caffeine

Over-the-Counter Medicines

Some common medications may help:

  • Loperamide for diarrhea relief
  • Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) for prevention and symptom relief

Doctor-Prescribed Treatments

If symptoms do not improve, doctors may prescribe antibiotics such as:

  • Doxycycline
  • Ciprofloxacin

Foods to Eat During Diarrhea

Stick to simple foods with low contamination risk, such as:

  • Toast
  • Broth
  • Crackers
  • White rice
  • Bananas

To reduce the risk of waterborne infections, drink only bottled or boiled water. Boiling water helps eliminate harmful microorganisms.

Sun and Heat

Sunburn, dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are common travel health concerns in Ethiopia.

Because Ethiopia lies near the equator, the country receives strong sunlight year-round. The highlands are cooler, while the lowlands can be extremely hot.

Prevention and What to Do

  • Avoid direct sun during the hottest hours of the day, especially midday.
  • Allow time to acclimatize to the temperature.
  • Apply sunscreen to exposed skin.
  • Stay in shaded areas whenever possible.
  • Wear light-colored, breathable clothing and a hat.
  • Drink adequate water to prevent dehydration.
  • Avoid overhydration by drinking excessive amounts of water.
  • Stretch gently to relieve heat cramps.
  • Cool down with water on your face and head.
  • Know your physical limits and seek help if needed.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) spread through unprotected sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Some infections may also spread through contaminated blood, needles, syringes, tattoo equipment, or piercing instruments.

Examples include:

  • HIV
  • Chlamydia
  • Genital herpes
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Gonorrhea
  • Hepatitis
  • Syphilis
  • Trichomoniasis

How to Prevent STDs, Including HIV

  • Choose lower-risk sexual behaviors.
  • Use condoms correctly every time you have sex.
  • Reduce the number of sexual partners.
  • Avoid mixing alcohol or drugs with sexual activity.
  • Seek PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) after possible HIV exposure.

Medications and Medical Supplies

Some medications may not be easily available during your trip. Careful planning can help avoid inconvenience or health risks.

Prescription Medicines to Bring

  • Prescription medications
  • Travelers’ diarrhea antibiotics
  • Anti-malaria medications

Medical Supplies

  • Glasses and contact lenses
  • Medical alert bracelet or necklace
  • Diabetes testing supplies
  • Insulin
  • Inhalers
  • EpiPens

Over-the-Counter Medicines

  • Diarrhea medicine (Imodium or Pepto-Bismol)
  • Antacid
  • Antihistamine
  • Motion sickness medication
  • Cough medicine
  • Decongestant
  • Pain relievers (acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen)
  • Mild laxatives
  • Sleep aids

Supplies to Prevent Illness or Injury

  • Hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol)
  • Water purification tablets
  • Insect repellent (DEET or picaridin)
  • Sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher)
  • Sunglasses and hat
  • Condoms
  • Earplugs

Vaccinations for Ethiopia

The WHO and CDC recommend the following vaccinations for Ethiopia:

  • Measles
  • Routine vaccines
  • Polio
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Typhoid
  • Cholera
  • Meningitis (Meningococcal disease)
  • Rabies
  • Yellow Fever

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. It is commonly spread through contaminated food, water, or close personal contact.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a contagious virus that attacks the liver and may cause both acute and chronic disease. It can spread through infected blood, body fluids, unprotected sex, contaminated needles, tattooing, and medical procedures.

The CDC recommends the hepatitis B vaccine for travelers who may:

  • Have new sexual partners
  • Get tattoos or piercings
  • Undergo medical procedures abroad

Rabies

Rabies is a vaccine-preventable disease spread through bites or scratches from infected animals. In Ethiopia, stray dogs are the main source of rabies transmission. Avoid contact with stray or wild animals.

Typhoid

Typhoid is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi. It spreads through contaminated food, water, or close contact with infected individuals.

Measles

Measles is an extremely contagious airborne disease spread through coughing, sneezing, or direct contact with infected secretions.

Polio

Polio is a potentially disabling infectious disease caused by poliovirus. It spreads through contaminated food, water, or contact with infected individuals.

Cholera

Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae, usually through contaminated food or water.

Meningitis (Meningococcal Disease)

Meningococcal meningitis is a serious bacterial infection spread through respiratory secretions and close personal contact.

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is an acute viral disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

Medical Facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

There are several good government and private medical facilities in Addis Ababa and other major Ethiopian cities.

Recommended private hospitals in Addis Ababa include:

Korean Hospital (MCM)

Gerji
Tel: 011 629 5421 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27

St. Gabriel Hospital

22 Mazoria Road
Tel: 011 661 3022 or 011 661 3622

Yared Hospital

CMC Road, near Megenagna Square
Tel: 011 645 4697 / 04

International Cardiovascular Hospital

Near Gotera, Ethio-China Road
Tel: 011 442 4680 / 81

Hayat Hospital

Bole, near Toyota Dealer
Tel: 011 662 4488 or 011 661 4250

Landmark Hospital

Near Mexico Square, next to Genet Hotel
Tel: 011 552 5463

Addis Specialized Cardiac Hospital

Bole, across from the airport cargo terminal
Tel: 011 618 0709 / 011 663 4720

Pharmacies

Pharmacies in major Ethiopian towns are generally well stocked with commonly used medicines and often do not require prescriptions. However, travelers with chronic medical conditions are advised to bring their prescribed medications from home.

Always check expiry dates before purchasing medicines locally.

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