Chad

Recommended Vaccinations For Chad

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Polio Vaccine

A single lifetime booster dose of Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) is recommended for adults who received the routine polio vaccination series as children.

Meningitis Vaccine

Because this country is located in the sub-Saharan meningitis belt, vaccination against meningitis is recommended if travelling during the dry season (November to March).

Yellow Fever Vaccine

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers aged 9 months or over going to areas south of the Sahara Desert. Not recommended for travellers whose itineraries are limited to areas within the Sahara Desert.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are also at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Chad

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medications include atovaquone-proguanil, mefloquine or doxycycline. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxime-pyrimethamine has been reported.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Chad

For Most Travellers

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Chad through contaminated food or water.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks occur in Chad. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked or raw seafood in this country.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever may occur in Chad.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Chad.

For Some Travellers

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Chad through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus

Yellow Fever

In areas south of the Sahara Desert, travellers are at risk for yellow fever.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in the country. The infection is transmitted by the bite of infected phlebotomine sandfly.

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in Chad.

Polio

There is a risk of acquiring Polio in the country and is transmitted from one person to another when droplets from a sneeze or cough of an infected person gets into the mouth of another person.

African Tick Bite Fever

There is an increased risk of this disease in this country.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis (“sleeping sickness”) occurs in Chad. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

Malaria

All areas of Chad are at high risk for malaria.

Meningitis

Meningitis outbreaks may occur in Chad. Travellers who visit during the dry season (December to June) or expect to have prolonged contact with the local population are especially at risk.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Chad, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in Chad and is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Chad. Travellers to Chad are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Chad. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Chad

Personal Safety

Armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, and violent crime occur throughout Chad, including in daylight hours. Both genuine security forces and individuals posing as them may extort money from foreigners through intimidation and fake fines. Night travel poses significant risks in all areas, including the capital N’Djamena where armed robberies are common. Walking around the city, even for short distances, is strongly discouraged due to crime rates. People impersonating law enforcement regularly target foreigners for extortion. Terrorist attacks have occurred in N’Djamena, and the threat remains active. In October 2024, Boko Haram killed around 40 soldiers in an attack near the Lake Chad region. Kidnapping poses a serious risk to foreigners, particularly aid workers, journalists, and business travelers in border regions and remote areas. Emergency services and consular support are extremely limited outside N’Djamena.

Extreme Violence

Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province remain active in the Lake Chad region, conducting regular attacks against military positions and civilians through suicide bombings, IED attacks, and armed assaults. In October 2024, Boko Haram attacked a military garrison near Ngouboua, killing around 40 Chadian soldiers. The March 2020 attack near Boma killed 98 Chadian soldiers in the deadliest single attack in the country’s history. Terrorist groups conduct kidnappings, target foreigners including missionaries and aid workers, and use suicide bombers in populated areas. Armed rebel groups operate along borders with Libya, Sudan, and the Central African Republic. In 2021, President Idriss Déby was killed during clashes with FACT rebels. Unmapped minefields exist along borders with Libya and Sudan. Celebratory gunfire during weddings and political events has caused civilian deaths and injuries, including in May 2024 following election result announcements. Armed non-governmental groups can cross borders easily and move through remote regions with limited security presence.

Political Unrest

Anti-government protests occur regularly and can escalate into violence without warning. In October 2022, security forces killed around 50 protesters across N’Djamena, Moundou, and other cities during demonstrations against military rule extension. Authorities used live ammunition, tear gas, and arrested over 600 people. In February 2024, armed clashes between government forces and Socialist Party supporters in N’Djamena killed several people, including opposition leader Yaya Dillo. Demonstrations throughout 2021 and 2022 resulted in deaths, injuries, and mass arrests as security forces dispersed crowds with excessive force. The 2024 presidential election saw 12 deaths and hundreds arrested. Legislative elections concluded in December 2024, a period when political tensions typically increase. Security forces regularly ban demonstrations, use tear gas, and fire live rounds at protesters. Internet access may be restricted during periods of unrest. Movement restrictions can be imposed at short notice during political tensions. Foreign facilities including embassies have been targeted during protests.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid all travel to the Lake Chad Basin where Boko Haram and ISIS-WA conduct regular attacks and kidnappings. The northern provinces of Borkou, Ennedi, and Tibesti contain landmines along the Libya border and active rebel groups. All borders with Cameroon, Central African Republic, Libya, Niger, Nigeria, and Sudan within 30 kilometers are extremely dangerous due to armed groups, cross-border violence, and unmapped minefields. The Sudan border has been closed since 2023. Eastern regions including Ouaddai and Sila experience intercommunal violence and armed clashes. Remote areas throughout the country present heightened kidnapping risks. Even in N’Djamena, avoid the section of Avenue du Général Kerim Nassour in front of the Presidential Palace where fatal shootings have occurred. Travel permits from the Ministry of Interior are required for movement outside N’Djamena. Government employees from multiple countries require special authorization to leave the capital. Zakouma National Park has experienced targeting of rangers by poachers.