Main health risks for Tanzania

Diseases transmitted by insects or animals

The whole country is malarial except areas over 1800 meters; strains are highly resistant to chloroquine (zone 3). In Tanzania, malaria is the highest cause of mortality among adults and children.

Yellow fever is endemic in Tanzania.

Some cases of trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) have been reported in the past years among tourists who had stayed in national parks. The disease is transmitted by the bite of the tsetse fly. Symptoms begin with fever and headache continues with mental confusions, insomnia during nighttime and daytime slumber. If not treated, the disease can be fatal.

Several cases of Rift Valley Fever have been reported recently in the north of the country, around Arusha. This cattle disease can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected animal's blood or milk, or through mosquito bites. Usually, those infected either experience no symptoms or develop a mild form of the disease characterized by fever, nausea, muscle pain, joint pain and headache. In few cases, Rift valley fever can lead to an eye infection, or progress to hemorrhagic fever or brain inflammation.

Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease, is present in Tanzania and provokes regularly epidemic outbreaks.

Plague has been identified in the country, but risk for travelers is small.

There are cases of animal rabies in the country.

Diseases transmitted by food, water or through the environment

Diarrheic diseases are frequent among travelers who do not take precautions.

Cholera is endemic, with frequent outbreaks, particularly in Dar es Salam and the Zanzibar archipelago. On December 8th, 2010, health officials announced that a fresh cholera outbreak ongoing in Eastern Tanzania (Morogoro region) killed at least four people. Apparently, the outbreak has been triggered by chronic water shortages in the region. In order to minimize risks, it is recommended to wash hands thoroughly before meals, and to use uncontaminated water.

Diseases transmitted by contact with infected people

According to UNAIDS and WHO, Tanzania is facing one of the largest HIV outbreak in the world. HIV prevalence rate is 7.2% among adults aged 15 to 49 in the mainland: 1.4 million people are currently living with HIV in Tanzania. In some regions, such as Mbeya and Iringa, the prevalence rate is as high as 14%, while it is only 2% in the regions of Manyara and Kigoma. In comparison to the mainland, the HIV outbreakin Zanzibar is not generalized yet (prevalence is 0.7%). However, the trends of HIV infection in Zanzibar are increasing.

Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.

In 2002, Tanzania faced a meningoccocal meningitis outbreak with 950 cases reported (30 deaths) in the provinces of Muyinga and Ruyigi, Gitega and Karuzi. Meningococcal meningitis is a disease characterized by sudden fever, intense headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck and a rash. The fatality rate is usually 5-15 percent. Transmission occurs by inhaling the bacteria, direct mouth-to-mouth contact with an infected person or contamination by an infected person's nasal secretions.