Sierra Leone

Recommended Vaccinations For Sierra Leone

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

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

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.

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.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

The vaccination for yellow fever is recommended for all travellers 9 months of age and older. Sierra Leone requires all persons entering the country to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination.

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.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, 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 at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

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.

Recommended Medications For Sierra Leone

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Sierra Leone

For Most Travellers

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks have occurred in Sierra Leone.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Sierra Leone through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks occur in Sierra Leone, usually following heavy rainfall and flooding when water sources become contaminated.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Sierra Leone.

For Some Travellers

Leishmaniasis

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

Yellow Fever

There is a risk of transmission of and exposure to yellow fever throughout Sierra Leone.

Malaria

All areas are at high risk for malaria.

Measles

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

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring the Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in Sierra Leone.

Hanta Virus

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

Lassa Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Lassa fever through breathing in unsafe air, eating contaminated food with droppings of infected rats.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in this country.

Monkeypox

There is a risk of monkeypox in the country. The disease can be caused by being scratched or bitten by an infected animal (a rodent or primate), or touching animal products, including skins and meat and being near an infected person who is coughing or sneezing.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

There is an increased risk for travellers spending a lot of time outdoors or visiting game parks. Travellers to urban areas not at risk.

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.

Marburg Haemorrhagic Fever

Marburg hemorrhagic fever is caused by touching infected animals or their body fluids ; touching body fluids (blood or sweat) from an infected person or objects contaminated with the body fluids of a person infected with Ebola or Marburg virus.

Ebola Viral Disease

There is a risk of Ebola in Sierra Leone. Ebola is caused by coming into contact with body fluids from an infected person (alive or dead), such as blood, urine, saliva, and sweat, among others. Medical equipment contaminated with the body fluids of an infected person or a person who died of Ebola or Marburg also causes this disease.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in Sierra Leone 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

Travellers to Sierra Leone are at risk for tuberculosis, including multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, if visiting friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Typhoid Fever

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

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Bats may also carry rabies-like viruses. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, 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 Sierra Leone

Personal Safety

Violent crime occurs frequently across Sierra Leone, particularly in Freetown. Robbery and assault are common risks you face when visiting. Pickpocketing and bag snatching happen often in crowded areas like markets, ferry terminals, and at Lumley Beach and Aberdeen nightlife spots. Police capacity to respond to serious crime remains limited across most of the country. Armed robbery, carjacking, and burglary affect both residents and visitors. Mugging becomes more frequent after dark. Scam operations targeting foreigners are widespread, especially romance and business scams that start online or via email. Gold scams have cost visitors tens of thousands of dollars. Crime levels have reportedly increased in recent years, partly driven by rising drug use. You should not travel outside the Freetown peninsula after nightfall due to heightened security risks. Travel after dark elsewhere is prohibited for many diplomatic personnel. Petty crime dominates the threat landscape, but violent encounters do happen. You need to stay alert in public spaces and avoid displaying valuables.

Extreme Violence

Sierra Leone has no recent history of terrorism, though attacks cannot be ruled out. The country remains vulnerable to extremist groups active in neighboring states. Violent clashes between security forces and armed groups occurred in November 2023, when hundreds of inmates were freed from Freetown’s central prison and 18 security personnel were killed. The government described this as an attempted coup. In August 2022, violent protests over the cost of living resulted in more than 20 protesters and bystanders killed, along with six police officers. Security forces have used excessive force during civil unrest. Border areas with Guinea and Liberia experience militia activities, territorial disputes, and armed confrontations. Criminal gangs operate in these zones and border raids occur. The risk of kidnapping targeting foreigners remains low compared to some West African countries, though online scams sometimes lure victims to Sierra Leone where they face robbery or assault. The civil war ended in 2002, but political violence continues to surface around elections and major protests. Armed groups no longer pose the systematic threat they once did, but sporadic violence linked to political tensions and criminal activity persists. You should avoid areas where demonstrations occur as they can turn violent with little warning.

Political Unrest

Political tensions run high in Sierra Leone, particularly around elections and disputed political outcomes. The June 2023 presidential election sparked controversy when domestic and international observers raised concerns about result credibility. Opposition parties rejected the outcome and refused to participate in parliament. Demonstrations and protests occur regularly in response to political and economic issues, often around holidays and large events. Past demonstrations have turned violent. In August 2022, cost-of-living protests resulted in multiple deaths and hundreds of arrests. Clashes between protesters and security forces caused serious injuries and fatalities. Political street rallies were banned for several months before the 2023 elections. Sierra Leone’s two-party system is deeply divided along ethno-regional lines. The SLPP draws support from the Mende-dominated south while the APC relies on the Temne-dominated north. This polarization fuels political violence and confrontational rhetoric. Political actors sustain street gangs that operate in major cities, creating a nexus between political and criminal violence. Youth unemployment and economic hardship make young people vulnerable to political manipulation. The longer these patterns persist, the greater the potential for substantial civil unrest becomes. Following the contested 2023 election and November 2023 violence, the situation stabilized somewhat but tensions remain. Further clashes cannot be ruled out. You should avoid all political gatherings, demonstrations, and areas where protests occur. Monitor local media for updates on the security situation.

Areas To Avoid

Border regions with Guinea and Liberia pose elevated risks. These areas are not well patrolled by authorities and experience territorial disputes, trans-border military operations, and criminal activities. Smugglers and armed groups operate in these zones. Border crossings may close with little notice. In Freetown, certain neighborhoods present higher crime risks. Robberies have occurred in Congo Cross, Wilkinson Road, Lumley Beach, Aberdeen, and at beach resorts along the Freetown peninsula and surrounding islands. The Lumley end of beach road near the golf club is unlit at night and known for muggings. The national stadium area is well-known for theft, especially during concerts and football matches. Kroo Bay and Susan’s Bay have higher crime rates and safety concerns. Nightlife areas in Lumley Beach and Aberdeen attract criminals, pickpockets, and muggers. Travel outside the Freetown peninsula after dark is not advised due to increased safety hazards. Many diplomatic staff are prohibited from traveling outside the capital at night. Remote and rural areas have minimal police presence and emergency response capacity. Mobile coverage is unreliable or nonexistent in many locations. If something happens in these areas, help may not arrive.