Mozambique travel health
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Overview
Prepare for routine immunizations, mosquito‑borne infections (malaria and dengue), and occasional water‑related outbreaks (notably cholera). Entry rules for yellow fever certificates depend on your recent travel route. Health services outside major cities may be limited; plan medication, evacuation insurance and a pre‑travel consultation.
Key preparation and exposure considerations
Malaria transmission occurs widely across Mozambique; travellers should discuss prescription prevention with a clinician. Cholera transmission has recurred in multiple provinces in recent seasons, so people visiting areas with poor water or sanitation should follow strict food and water hygiene and know where to seek urgent care. Entry requirements for yellow fever certificates are applied to travellers arriving from countries with yellow fever transmission or who transited through such countries; check official consular guidance for route‑specific requirements. CDC: Mozambique travel UK TravelHealthPro: Mozambique Embassy of Mozambique (USA): visa/health notes.
Vaccinations and entry requirements
Distinguish legal entry certificates (yellow fever for certain arrivals) from medical recommendations (routine and travel‑specific vaccines). Get routine and travel vaccines at least 4–6 weeks before departure when possible.
Routine vaccines
Ensure you are up to date with routine immunizations (MMR, diphtheria‑tetanus‑pertussis, polio, varicella, seasonal influenza and others as appropriate). Measles is circulating globally; non‑immune travellers should get MMR before international travel. CDC: routine vaccines and measles advice.
Yellow fever (certificate requirement)
Mozambique requires a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate from travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (including transits/layovers of >12 hours through such countries). This is an administrative entry rule and may also be enforced at consulates/airports; the vaccine itself is recommended only when indicated by personal risk and destination exposures. Check your onward/transit route and seek vaccination at an approved clinic if required. WHO: yellow fever country requirements TravelHealthPro: certificate and country notes.
Vaccines often recommended for travellers
Hepatitis A (recommended for most travellers to Mozambique) and typhoid vaccines are commonly advised for those eating or drinking outside well‑regulated establishments. Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for travellers who may have sexual contact with new partners, require medical care, or have occupational exposures. Rabies pre‑exposure vaccination should be considered for long stays, remote travel, or work with animals because rabies is present and timely post‑exposure treatment may be limited. Discuss these with your travel clinician. CDC: Hep A, Hep B, typhoid, rabies guidance.
Polio and travel
Mozambique has conducted polio response campaigns in recent years after isolated detections; health authorities and international bodies continue surveillance and vaccination activities. Adults and children should be up to date with polio immunization according to national schedules and international recommendations for travel to polio‑affected or recently affected areas. WHO: polio situation and travel recommendations WHO AFRO: Mozambique polio vaccination activities.
Other health risks
Non‑vaccine risks of particular relevance include vector‑borne infections, waterborne diseases and animal exposures. Risk varies by province, season, itinerary and accommodation.
Malaria
Malaria occurs throughout Mozambique, with highest burdens in many rural and peri‑urban areas; the country has experienced localized increases and outbreak activity in recent seasons. CDC recommends that travellers to Mozambique take antimalarial prescription medicine and use insect protection (long‑acting repellents, untreated or insecticide‑treated nets, and evening protective measures). Choose prophylaxis with a clinician—options include atovaquone‑proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine or tafenoquine where suitable. CDC: malaria prevention for Mozambique WHO: Mozambique malaria profile.
Cholera and acute watery diarrhoea
Mozambique has experienced cholera transmission and periodic outbreaks in recent years; emergency and preventive oral cholera vaccination campaigns have been undertaken by health authorities and partners in affected areas. For most travellers the risk is low, but those working or staying in areas with active transmission, displaced populations or locations with poor water/sanitation should use strict water and food hygiene, seek care early for severe diarrhoea and discuss cholera vaccination with a travel clinic if their itinerary includes high‑risk zones. WHO: OCV supply and campaigns UNICEF: cholera response in Nacala and affected districts CDC: cholera and food/water safety.
Dengue, other arboviruses and tickborne infections
Dengue and other mosquito‑transmitted infections occur in Mozambique; avoid mosquito bites day and night. Tick‑borne rickettsial infections can occur after exposure in rural or safari settings—use clothing and repellents and check for ticks. CDC: dengue and tickborne disease advice.
Schistosomiasis and freshwater exposures
Schistosomiasis is present where people contact freshwater (rivers, lakes). Avoid swimming, wading or washing in untreated fresh water; seek medical advice if you develop fevers, rash, persistent abdominal pain or blood in urine/stool after freshwater exposure. CDC: schistosomiasis.
Animal bites and rabies
Rabies is present in dogs and some wildlife. Avoid contact with animals; if bitten or scratched, wash the wound immediately and seek medical care for assessment of post‑exposure prophylaxis. Consider pre‑exposure vaccination for long stays, remote travel, or occupational risk. CDC: rabies information.
Current health alerts
Only alerts with clear, current public‑health evidence are included below.
Cholera outbreaks and vaccination campaigns (2026)
In 2026 Mozambique reported renewed cholera transmission in multiple districts and has been included in preventive and outbreak oral cholera vaccine allocations and response activities. Travellers to affected districts—especially those working with displaced communities or with limited access to safe water—should follow strict water/food precautions and know where to access urgent care. WHO: cholera epidemiological update (2026) WHO: OCV resumption and Mozambique allocation UNICEF: local response in Nacala.
Malaria case surges and localized outbreaks
The country has recorded increased malaria activity and localized outbreaks in recent seasons, including urban and peri‑urban clusters at times. This underlines the importance of malaria chemoprophylaxis for travellers and robust bite‑avoidance measures. WHO: malaria country profile CDC: malaria recommendations.
Polio vaccination activities
Mozambique has undertaken polio vaccination campaigns and surveillance after earlier detections; international bodies have reported that outbreak response activities are ongoing or recently completed in affected districts. Ensure polio vaccination is up to date, especially for children. WHO: polio event statements WHO AFRO: country polio activities.
Before you travel
See a travel‑health clinician 4–8 weeks before departure when possible to review immunizations, start malaria prophylaxis if indicated, and discuss medicines to carry (antidiarrheal, antibiotics for severe traveller’s diarrhoea if appropriate, insect repellent, personal first aid kit) and evacuation insurance. Keep documentation of vaccinations (especially yellow fever certificates if your route requires them) and identify medical facilities at your destination.
Practical steps
1) Confirm whether your itinerary or recent transit requires a yellow fever certificate with the embassy or airline before travel. 2) Arrange malaria prophylaxis and obtain insect repellent (DEET, picaridin or PMD) and a bed net if staying in basic accommodation. 3) Use safe water and food practices; consider cholera vaccination only if you will stay or work in areas of active transmission and after discussing with a clinician. 4) For long stays or remote travel, consider pre‑exposure rabies vaccination. Embassy of Mozambique (USA): entry/health notes CDC: travel checklist and country guidance.
This information summarizes published public‑health guidance. A travel‑health professional can advise on your itinerary, medical history and vaccination needs.
