Liberia Travel Health Advice
Liberia is one of three countries that were part of the Ebola outbreak in previous years, causing serious alarm in West Africa. However, the WHO officially declared Liberia Ebola transmission free on 9 June 2016. The FCO no longer advise against all but essential travel to Liberia. However, travellers are advised to familiarise themselves with the disease and current health and travel advice for the country. Some travel restrictions may still be in place due to the Ebola outbreak.
A yellow fever vaccination is required for all travellers to Liberia greater than one year of age. Vaccinations are also recommended for hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid. Malaria is a problem all over the country and prophylaxis of some kind should be taken in all areas. Those travellers who plan to spend a lot of time outdoors and may be at risk of animal bites, or in close contact with bats, should consider a rabies vaccination. Travellers are usually advised to be up to date on vaccinations for polio, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and tetanus-diphtheria.
Precautions should be taken with food and water: tap water should never be drunk unless it has been boiled, filtered or chemically disinfected; fruit and vegetables should be peeled and cooked; no raw or uncooked meat or fish should be eaten; all cooked meals should be eaten while still hot; and food from street vendors is best avoided.
Medical facilities are extremely limited and even essential medicines and services are often unavailable. Travellers should ensure that they have comprehensive travel and health insurance and should bring all required medications with them, in the original packaging and accompanied by a signed and dated letter from a doctor detailing what it is and why it is needed.
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