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Togo
Risk:
Moderate
Health Overview
Togo is Level 2 — 57000 km² sliver nation from Gulf of Guinea to Sahel. Lomé is genuinely pleasant with vibrant markets and Voodoo cultural heritage. P. falciparum malaria year-round all areas. YF REQUIRED at entry. On active Measles THN. North of Kandé Level 4 (terrorism). Savanes Region under state of emergency requiring special authorization for foreigners. Be sure to consult your Dr. prior to travel to discuss
Key Health Risks
Very High
Malaria (P. falciparum)
One of highest transmission rates in sub-Saharan Africa. P. falciparum dominant; severe/fatal forms. Year-round all areas including Lomé. Anopheles gambiae present in urban Lomé. Chemoprophylaxis non-negotiable for all travelers regardless of itinerary. Be sure to consult your Dr. prior to travel to discuss
High
Terrorism and Kidnapping (Northern Border)
JNIM and affiliated armed groups from Burkina Faso have crossed into Togo. Kidnappings documented. North of Kandé: Level 4. Savanes Region under state of emergency — foreigners need advance written authorization. US gov't employees prohibited from overnight stays north of Mango without special authorization.
Moderate
Meningococcal Disease
Togo straddles southern edge of African meningitis belt. Neisseria meningitidis outbreaks during dry Harmattan season (Dec-March). Rapid onset meningitis — death or disability within 24 hours. ACWY vaccine recommended for all travelers; especially central and northern Togo.
Health Risk Callout
Malaria year-round and YF required define the checklist. North of Kandé Level 4 and Savanes state of emergency are geographic limits. Meningococcal ACWY is the vaccine I emphasize for Togo that sometimes gets skipped.
Other Health Risks
Typhoid; Schistosomiasis (Volta/Oti River basins — never swim in fresh water); Lassa fever (rodent contact; northern areas near Nigeria/Benin); Hep E (waterborne)
Regional Information
Regional Risk Callout
Lomé: capital; all services; CHU Sylvanus Olympio; manageable security. Kpalimé/Plateaux: waterfalls; hiking; moderate risk. Kara/Central: approaching transition zone; elevated caution. Savanes Region (extreme north): STATE OF EMERGENCY; foreigners need special authorization. North of Kandé: Level 4 — armed group attacks; kidnappings.
Regional Healthcare Callout
Outside Lomé: basic only. Kpalimé; Sokodé; Kara: limited. Medevac to Lomé then Accra or Paris.
Vaccine and Malaria Prevention
💉 Entry Vaccine Required
YF certificate REQUIRED for all arriving travelers. ICVP from authorized center.
🛡️ Recommended Vaccines
Routine (MMR — Measles THN; Togo named); YF (REQUIRED); Hep A; Hep B; Typhoid; Meningococcal ACWY (meningitis belt); Rabies PrEP (consider for mission/rural); Polio booster (standard adult even without Togo-specific THN — regional risk)
🦟 Malaria Information
- Risk Level: High
- Areas: All areas year-round including Lomé — no malaria-free zone (max elevation ~986m)
- Recommended Drug: Atovaquone-proguanil; doxycycline; mefloquine; tafenoquine
- Drug Resistance: Yes
P. falciparum dominant; chloroquine-resistant. Year-round; peaks during rainy seasons (Apr-Jun; Sep-Nov). Lomé coastal: year-round Anopheles gambiae. No malaria-free zone in Togo at any altitude. Fever up to 1 year after return = urgent testing.
High
Physician Note
Dr. Robert
Emergency Medicine · 25+ Years · 40+ Countries
Togo: efficient consultation — small country; manageable south; simple north-south divide. YF required at entry; malaria year-round; Meningococcal ACWY is the vaccine I emphasize for Togo that gets skipped for short trips — country straddles the meningitis belt.
Pre-Departure Checklist
8+ Weeks
- Be sure to consult your Dr. prior to travel to discuss
- CDC recommends Be sure to consult your Dr. prior to travel to discuss
- CDC recommends YF
- Hep A
- Typhoid
- Meningococcal ACWY
- MMR (Measles THN — Togo named)
- Polio booster (standard adult)
- Rabies PrEP for mission
- Select malaria chemoprophylaxis.
2-4 Weeks
- Start prophylaxis
- DEET + permethrin net
- Research CHU SO
- Medevac insurance. If Savanes: obtain authorization.
Day Of
- Prophylaxis dose
- Yellow card in carry-on
- DEET at dusk
- No fresh water
- Bottled water from arrival.
Trip Type Guidance
Beach
- Lomé coastal strip (riptides
- No lifeguards
- Beach crime at night).
Mission
- Strong history in health
- Education
- Agriculture in Plateaux and Kara Regions. Northern mission work increasingly complex — security oversight essential. South of Kandé only.
Notes
Special Evacuation Notes
Medevac from Lomé-Tokoin Airport to Accra (Ghana; 30-45 min air; Korle Bu) or Paris (Air France). Northern Togo: ground to Lomé first; security assessment required in Savanes.
Safety Notes
North of Kandé Level 4 — no exceptions. Savanes Region: special authorization required. Lomé beach: no walking alone at night. Meningitis belt: ACWY vaccine Jan-March. Schistosomiasis: no fresh water. Police checkpoints: carry ID; cooperate.
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Good For
Beach
Mission