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Travel Health Advisory

Mombasa, Kenya

Source Authority

CDC Travelers' Health

Vaccines and Medicines

Expert Verified

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.

Chikungunya

All travelers should take steps to prevent mosquito bites. Chikungunya vaccination is generally not recommended. Travelers who wish to consider vaccination can visit “What to consider before traveling” on thechikungunya vaccinespage to learn more.

Cholera

Areas of active cholera transmission arelocalizedto the counties of Garissa (last case reported 3-6 months ago), Kisumu (last case reported 6-9 months ago), Kwale (last case reported 6-9 months ago), Migori (last case reported in the past 3 months), Mombasa (last case reported 6-9 months ago), Nairobi (last case reported in the past 3 months), Narok (last case reported in the past 3 months), and Turkana (last case reported 3-6 months ago) in Kenya. Cholera is rare in travelers.Certain factorsmay increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease (more information). Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera.Vaccination may be considered for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission.

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Kenya.Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.Travelers allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, are immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Kenya. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Kenya.

Malaria

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Kenya take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.Transmission areasAll areas (including game parks) <2,500 m (<8,200 ft) elevation; rare cases in the highly urbanized central part of the city of Nairobi (the capital)Drug resistanceChloroquineSpeciesP. falciparum(primarily)P. malariae,P. ovale, andP. vivax(less commonly)Recommended chemoprophylaxisAtovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine2Highly urbanized central part of the city of Nairobi: No chemoprophylaxis recommended (insect bite precautions and mosquito avoidance only)4Updated April 23, 2025See footnotes

Measles

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according toCDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.

Meningococcal disease

Recommended for travelers 2 months old or older traveling toareas of Kenyathat are part of the meningitis belt during the dry season (roughly December to June).

Monkeypox

Monkeypox vaccination isrecommendedfor people who anticipate any of the following activities during travel to countries with ongoing person-to-person transmission of clade I monkeypox:Sex with a new partnerSex at a commercial sex venue (e.g., sex club or bathhouse)Sex or intimate contact (e.g. massage) in exchange for money, goods, drugs, or other tradeSex in association with a large public event (e.g., rave, party, or festival)Get your first monkeypox vaccine at least 6 weeks before traveling if possible. After completing your first and second vaccine doses, which are given 4 weeks apart, it takes about 2 more weeks to get the best protection against monkeypox. Whether or not you've been vaccinated, continue toreduce your riskof getting monkeypox.

Polio

In Kenya poliovirus has been identified in the past year.Travelers to Kenya are at increased risk of exposure to poliovirus.Vaccine recommendations: Adults traveling to Kenya who received a complete polio vaccination series as children may receive a single lifetime booster dose of inactivated polio vaccine; travelers who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated should receive a complete polio vaccination series before travel. Children who are not fully vaccinated will be considered for anaccelerated vaccination schedule.

Rabies

Dogs infected with rabies are commonly found in Kenya.Rabies is also present in some terrestrial wildlife species.If rabies exposures occur while in Kenya, rabies vaccines may only be available in larger suburban/urban medical facilities.Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.For more information, seecountry rabies status assessments.

Typhoid

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

Yellow Fever

MANDATORY / REQUIRED

CDC recommendations:Vaccine isrecommendedfor all travelers ≥9 months old except as follows.Vaccine isgenerally notrecommended for travel limited to: the city of Nairobi (the capital); the counties of the former North Eastern Province (Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa); or the counties (except Taita-Taveta) of the former Coast Province (Kilifi, including the city of Malindi; Kwale; Lamu; Mombasa, including the city of Mombasa; Tana River).bCountry entry requirements:Direct travel from United States: Vaccine isnotrequired.Travel from countries with risk for YF virus transmission: Vaccine isrequiredfor travelers ≥1 year old.3Updated April 23, 2025See footnotes

Non-Vaccine Diseases

Leptospirosis

Avoid contaminated water and soilAvoid floodwater

Melioidosis

Avoid floodwater and contact with soil or muddy water, particularly after heavy rainsBandage open wounds, cuts, or burns to protect them from coming into contact with soil or water

Schistosomiasis

Avoid contaminated water

African Tick-Bite Fever

Avoid bug bites

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever

Avoid bug bites

Dengue

Avoid bug bites

Leishmaniasis

Avoid bug bites

Zika

Avoid bug bites

Marburg Virus Disease

Avoid sick peopleAvoid animals and areas where they live

Rift Valley Fever

Avoid animalsAvoid bug bites

Hantavirus

Avoid rodents and areas where they liveAvoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

Avoid sick people

General Travel Advice

  • Be up to date on routine vaccinations.
  • See a doctor 4-6 weeks before travel.
  • Carry a small first-aid kit.

"The information on this page is for general awareness. Please seek professional medical help for your specific travel needs."