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Gambia

West 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.

Yellow fever — certificate required if arriving from a YF country

The Gambia requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for travelers aged 9 months and older arriving from (or having transited) a country with yellow fever risk. It is not required for direct travel from Switzerland. However, the Gambia is itself yellow-fever endemic and CDC recommends vaccination on health grounds — and many itineraries route through a YF country, so carrying a valid certificate is the safe default. Confirm your routing with a Swiss travel medicine specialist.

CDC / WHO IHR ↗ · Updated 2026

Meningitis belt — seasonal meningococcal risk

Eastern Gambia borders the African meningitis belt, where meningococcal disease risk peaks in the dry season (December–June). Vaccination (ACWY) is recommended for travelers to affected areas during this period, for longer stays, or with close local contact.

CDC / EKRM ↗ · Updated 2026

Malaria

High

Dengue

Low

Yellow fever

High

Chikungunya

Low

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 only for higher-risk travelers — aid/health workers, those staying in areas with active outbreaks or poor sanitation. Not needed for typical tourist itineraries.

CDC Yellow Book
Hepatitis A

Recommended for all travelers aged 1 year and older. 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 the Swiss childhood schedule since 1998 — younger travelers are usually covered.

CDC Yellow Book
Meningococcal

ACWY vaccination recommended for travel to meningitis-belt areas during the dry season (December–June), for longer stays, or with close contact to the local population.

CDC Yellow Book
Rabies

Rabid dogs are common in the Gambia. Pre-exposure vaccination is recommended for long stays, rural or remote travel, cycling/motorbike trips, work with animals, and for children. Post-exposure care can be hard to access locally.

CDC Yellow Book
Typhoid

Recommended for most travelers given widespread risk, and especially for those visiting friends and relatives, staying in rural areas, or with longer or adventurous itineraries.

CDC Yellow Book
Yellow fever

Recommended on health grounds for all travelers aged 9 months and older (Gambia is YF endemic). A certificate is also required for entry if arriving from a YF-risk country — see country alert. Administered at a designated Swiss yellow-fever vaccination centre; certificate valid 10 days after the dose and for life.

CDC Yellow Book

Disease-specific guidance

Malaria

High

High risk in all regions of the Gambia, year-round, including the coastal resort areas around Banjul and Serrekunda. P. falciparum (the most dangerous species) predominates and is chloroquine-resistant. Chemoprophylaxis plus consistent mosquito-bite prevention is strongly recommended for all travelers.

Risk
High, all regions, year-round
Species
Mainly P. falciparum (chloroquine-resistant)
Prophylaxis
Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine
Prevention
Chemoprophylaxis + bite protection + bed net

Yellow fever

High

The Gambia is yellow-fever endemic and CDC recommends vaccination on health grounds for all travelers aged 9 months and older. The certificate is required for entry only if arriving from a YF-risk country (see country alert).

Health advice
Recommended for all travelers ≥9 months
Entry rule
Required if arriving from a YF country
Validity
From 10 days after dose; lifelong
Yellow fever vaccine recommendation areas in Africa (CDC).

Dengue

Low

Dengue is transmitted by daytime-biting Aedes mosquitoes and circulates in the region. The same bite-prevention measures used for malaria help reduce risk; protection during daylight hours is the key addition.

Distribution
Present in the region
Mosquito
Aedes — bites during daytime
Prevention
Daytime repellent + clothing

Chikungunya

Low

Chikungunya circulates in the region and shares the daytime Aedes mosquito vector with dengue, so the same daytime bite-prevention measures apply. Vaccination is considered only in specific outbreak settings (see EKRM statement).

General prevention

Food & water

Use bottled or treated water and avoid raw produce. Resort areas have safer food but precautions still apply, reducing the risk of traveler's diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid. Avoid contact with fresh water (the Gambia River, creeks) where schistosomiasis is a risk.

Mosquito protection

Aggressive mosquito-bite prevention is essential — malaria risk is high year-round, including the coastal resort strip. Combine DEET or picaridin repellent, long clothing, and a bed net with chemoprophylaxis. Daytime protection also reduces dengue and chikungunya risk.

Sources

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

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