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Nigeria

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 endemic — vaccination recommended; entry rule from endemic countries

Yellow fever is endemic in Nigeria and vaccination is recommended for all travelers aged 9 months and older. Nigeria requires a YF certificate from travelers arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk; direct travel from Switzerland is not subject to the entry requirement, but vaccination is still strongly advised on medical grounds. Carry your International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (yellow card).

CDC / WHO International Health Regulations ↗ · Updated 2026

Meningitis belt — seasonal meningococcal risk (north)

Northern Nigeria lies in the African meningitis belt. Epidemics of meningococcal disease occur during the dry season, roughly December to June. Meningococcal vaccination (quadrivalent ACWY) is recommended for travelers visiting affected areas during this period, for longer stays, and for close contact with the local population.

CDC / EKRM ↗ · Updated 2026

Poliovirus circulation — ensure booster

Vaccine-derived poliovirus has been detected in Nigeria. Travelers should ensure their polio immunization is up to date; a single lifetime adult booster is recommended for travel to affected countries per Swiss BAG and WHO guidance.

CDC / WHO ↗ · Updated 2026

Recent alerts

All alerts →
Level 1 - Diphtheria in Sub-Saharan Africa

There are outbreaks of diphtheria in several countries in Africa. Vaccination against diphtheria is essential to protect against the disease. Country List : Chad, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Mauritania, Somalia

CDC Travel Health Notices · Jun 2, 2026

Malaria

High

Dengue

Moderate

Yellow fever

High

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 going to areas of active transmission (widespread in Nigeria), aid/relief workers, and those staying in conditions with poor water and sanitation.

CDC Yellow Book
Hepatitis A

Recommended for all travelers to Nigeria. 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

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

CDC Yellow Book
Meningococcal

Quadrivalent ACWY vaccination recommended for travel to northern Nigeria during the dry season (December–June), for longer stays, and for close contact with the local population — the north is in the meningitis belt.

CDC Yellow Book
Rabies

Consider pre-exposure vaccination for longer stays, rural travel, cyclists/motorbike riders, those working with animals, and children. Post-exposure treatment can be hard to obtain locally.

CDC Yellow Book
Typhoid

Recommended for most travelers to Nigeria, especially those visiting rural areas, staying with friends and relatives, or in poor hygienic conditions.

CDC Yellow Book
Yellow fever

Recommended for all travelers aged 9 months and older (yellow fever is endemic). A certificate is required for entry if arriving from a YF-risk country. Single dose gives lifelong protection; must be given at a licensed Swiss YF centre ≥10 days before travel.

CDC Yellow Book

Disease-specific guidance

Malaria

High

High risk throughout Nigeria, all regions, year-round. Chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum predominates. Chemoprophylaxis is recommended for essentially all travelers in addition to strict mosquito-bite prevention.

Risk area
All regions, year-round
Species
Predominantly P. falciparum
Resistance
Chloroquine-resistant
Prophylaxis
Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine

Yellow fever

High

Yellow fever is endemic in Nigeria. Vaccination is recommended for all travelers aged 9 months and older. A certificate is required for entry if arriving from a YF-risk country (see country alert).

Status
Endemic
Recommended
All travelers ≥9 months
Entry rule
Cert required if arriving from YF country
Yellow fever vaccine recommendation areas in Africa (CDC).

Dengue

Moderate

Dengue circulates in Nigeria, transmitted by daytime-biting Aedes mosquitoes. Daytime mosquito-bite prevention is the main protection.

Vector
Aedes mosquitoes — bite during daytime
Prevention
Daytime repellent, covering clothing

Chikungunya

Moderate

Chikungunya circulates in Nigeria, spread by the same daytime-biting Aedes mosquitoes as dengue, so the same bite-prevention measures apply. Vaccination may be considered for extended stays or in outbreak settings (see EKRM statement).

Vector
Aedes mosquitoes — bite during daytime
Prevention
Daytime repellent; vaccine in outbreaks/long stays

General prevention

Food & water

Strict food and water precautions are essential, especially outside major hotels. Use bottled or reliably treated water, avoid ice and raw foods from unverified sources, and maintain careful hand hygiene. Cholera transmission is widespread, so preventing diarrheal disease, hepatitis A, typhoid, and cholera is a priority.

Mosquito protection

Aggressive mosquito-bite prevention is essential. Malaria risk is high year-round, country-wide, so DEET or picaridin repellent, long clothing, and an insecticide-treated bed net are needed alongside chemoprophylaxis. Dengue, Zika, and chikungunya also circulate. Meningococcal disease (airborne) peaks in the dry season in the north, and mpox circulates endemically.

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?

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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.