Mozambique
East Africa · Africa · Physician brief
Widespread cholera transmission
Cholera transmission is widespread in Mozambique, with periodic large outbreaks. The oral cholera vaccine may be considered for travelers to affected areas, those staying in conditions with poor sanitation, aid and healthcare workers, longer-stay travelers, or those with increased individual risk. Strict food and water hygiene is the primary protection for all travelers.
CDC / WHO ↗ · Updated 2026
Yellow fever certificate only if arriving from a risk country
Mozambique has no domestic yellow fever risk and the vaccine is not routinely recommended for travel from Switzerland. However, a YF vaccination certificate may be required if you are arriving from — or have recently transited — a country with yellow fever transmission risk. Direct travel from Switzerland is not affected.
WHO / Mozambique entry requirements ↗ · Updated 2026
Vaccines
Disease-specific guidance
Malaria
HighHigh risk year-round throughout the entire country, including Maputo, the coastal resorts, and the Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos. P. falciparum (the most dangerous species) predominates and is chloroquine-resistant. Continuous chemoprophylaxis is recommended for essentially all travelers, in addition to strict mosquito-bite prevention.
- Risk area
- Entire country, year-round, incl. coastal resorts
- Species
- P. falciparum predominant
- Resistance
- Chloroquine-resistant
- Prevention
- Chemoprophylaxis (atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine) + bite protection
Yellow fever
NoneNo yellow fever risk in Mozambique, and the vaccine is not routinely recommended for travel from Switzerland. A YF certificate may be required only if you arrive from — or have recently transited — a country with yellow fever transmission risk (see country alert). Direct travel from Switzerland is not affected.
- Risk
- None — no domestic transmission
- Vaccine
- Not routinely recommended
- Entry rule
- Certificate only if arriving from a YF-risk country
Dengue
ModerateDengue transmission occurs and is mosquito-borne. The Aedes mosquito bites during the daytime, so day-time bite prevention complements the dusk-to-dawn protection used for malaria.
- Distribution
- Sporadic transmission
- Mosquito
- Aedes — bites during daytime
- Prevention
- Repellent and covering up by day
General prevention
Food & water
Strict food and water precautions are essential — use bottled or treated water, avoid ice from unverified sources, and eat thoroughly cooked food served hot. This reduces the risk of traveler's diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid, and cholera. Cholera outbreaks occur periodically and transmission is widespread.
Mosquito protection
Aggressive mosquito-bite prevention is essential — malaria is high risk year-round and country-wide. Use DEET or picaridin repellent, cover up at dusk and after dark, and sleep under an insecticide-treated net. Daytime protection also reduces dengue 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.