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Ethiopia

East Africa · Africa · Physician brief

📝Draft — pending physician review
📝Draft — pending physician review. This brief was compiled from CDC, WHO, and EKRM/HealthyTravel sources (June 2026) and has not yet been verified by a clinician. Confirm specifics with a travel-medicine professional before relying on it.

Malaria outbreak — elevated risk nationwide

CDC has reported an ongoing malaria outbreak in Ethiopia, with increased case numbers across all regions. Strict mosquito-bite prevention and chemoprophylaxis for travel below 2,500 m are especially important; seek medical attention promptly for any fever during or after travel.

CDC Travelers' Health ↗ · Updated 2026

Yellow fever — entry certificate may be required

A yellow-fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers arriving from (or transiting >12 hours through) a country with risk of YF transmission. Direct travel from Switzerland is not affected, but YF vaccine is separately recommended for most parts of Ethiopia (see disease detail). Carry your International Certificate of Vaccination if you are combining Ethiopia with other African destinations.

WHO / Ethiopian entry requirements ↗ · Updated 2026

Meningitis belt — seasonal meningococcal risk

Ethiopia lies in the African meningitis belt. Meningococcal vaccination is recommended for travelers visiting affected areas during the dry season (roughly December–June), and for closer contact with the local population.

CDC / WHO ↗ · Updated 2026

Malaria

Moderate

Dengue

Low

Yellow fever

Moderate

Chikungunya

Moderate

Vaccines

VaccineRecommendationReference
Routine vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip — per the Swiss BAG schedule. These include:

BAG Impfplan
Cholera

Consider for travelers to areas with active transmission, aid/health workers, and those with limited access to safe food and water. Disease is rare in ordinary tourists who maintain strict food and water hygiene.

CDC Yellow Book
Hepatitis A

Recommended for all travelers. Note for Swiss travelers: Hepatitis A is not part of the routine Swiss BAG childhood schedule, so most adult travelers will need vaccination.

CDC Yellow Book
Hepatitis B

Consider per individual risk and stay duration. Routine in Swiss childhood schedule since 1998 — younger travelers usually covered.

CDC Yellow Book
Meningococcal

Recommended for travel to meningitis-belt areas during the dry season (December–June) and for close contact with the local population. The quadrivalent ACWY vaccine is used.

CDC Yellow Book
Rabies

Recommended for long stays, rural travel, cycling/motorbike trips, work with animals, and for infants and children. Stray dogs are a common rabies vector and post-exposure vaccine may not be readily available locally.

CDC Yellow Book
Typhoid

Recommended for most travelers, especially those visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or staying with friends and relatives.

CDC Yellow Book
Yellow fever

Recommended for all travelers ≥9 months going to areas at risk (most of the country, except the Afar and Somali lowland regions east of the Rift Valley). Also relevant for onward travel — see country alert on entry requirements.

CDC Yellow Book

Disease-specific guidance

Malaria

Moderate

Malaria is present year-round in all areas below 2,500 m, including in and around the capital Addis Ababa (~2,355 m, treated as low/seasonal risk). Risk is absent above 2,500 m in the highlands. P. falciparum predominates (~70%) and is chloroquine-resistant. Chemoprophylaxis (atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine or tafenoquine) is recommended for lowland travel.

Risk area
All areas <2,500 m, incl. Addis Ababa
No risk
Highlands above 2,500 m
Species
P. falciparum ~70%, P. vivax ~30%
Resistance
Chloroquine-resistant
Prevention
Chemoprophylaxis + bite protection below 2,500 m
Malaria risk areas in Ethiopia (CDC).

Yellow fever

Moderate

Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for all travelers ≥9 months going to areas at risk — most of the country, except the Afar and Somali lowland regions. A vaccination certificate is also required for travelers arriving from a YF-risk country (see country alert). Direct travel from Switzerland is not affected by the entry rule.

CDC
Recommended (most areas, except Afar/Somali)
Entry rule
Cert required if arriving from YF-risk country
Age
From 9 months
Yellow fever vaccine recommendation areas in Ethiopia (CDC).

Dengue

Low

Dengue transmission occurs in lowland areas, with periodic outbreaks (e.g. in the eastern Dire Dawa / Somali region). Daytime mosquito-bite prevention is the main protection. Risk is lower in the cooler highlands.

Distribution
Lowland areas; periodic outbreaks
Mosquito
Aedes — bites during daytime

Chikungunya

Moderate

Sporadic chikungunya transmission occurs in lowland areas, with documented outbreaks. Same daytime Aedes mosquito vector as dengue, so dengue prevention also protects against chikungunya. Vaccination considered in outbreak settings (see EKRM statement).

General prevention

Food & water

Strict food and water precautions are essential — active cholera transmission has been widespread, and typhoid and hepatitis A are common. Drink only bottled or treated water, avoid ice and unpeeled produce, and eat thoroughly cooked food. Healthcare access outside Addis Ababa is limited.

Mosquito protection

Mosquito-bite prevention (DEET or picaridin repellent, long sleeves, treated bed nets) is essential below 2,500 m, where malaria is present year-round. Addis Ababa sits just above this threshold but is treated as low/seasonal risk — confirm prophylaxis with your travel clinic. The highlands above 2,500 m are malaria-free. Dengue, chikungunya and sand-fly-borne leishmaniasis also occur in lowland areas.

Sources

Based on CDC Travelers’ Health, CDC Yellow Book, and the Swiss Federal Vaccination Schedule (BAG). Always verify current recommendations before travel.

Visiting more than one country?

Build a combined itinerary and get merged recommendations across all destinations.

Plan an itinerary

This brief is for informational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice.
Consult a travel medicine specialist 4–8 weeks before departure.