Chad

Malaria risk due predominantly to Plasmodium falciparum exists throughout the year across the entire country of Chad. Plasmodium falciparum is the most dangerous malaria species globally and is responsible for the great majority of severe and fatal malaria cases. Infection occurs through the bites of Anopheles mosquitoes active from dusk to dawn, producing fever, chills, headache, nausea, and muscle aching, with the potential to deteriorate rapidly without treatment into life-threatening cerebral malaria or severe anaemia. Resistance to an antimalarial called chloroquine is established in Chad.

Antimalarial chemoprophylaxis must be prescribed by a travel doctor based on the individual traveller's health history, planned itinerary, and length of stay. The full supply of medications must be obtained in Australia before departure.

Any fever developing during travel or up to one year after returning home should prompt immediate medical assessment, with travel history disclosed to the treating clinician.

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), otherwise referred to as sleeping sickness, is a parasitic infection transmitted by infected tsetse flies in parts of Chad. Higher risk locations include the southern savannah regions and around Lake Chad. It is a recognised vector-borne disease risk in the country.

Early features are often non-specific and may include fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and local inflammation at the site of the bite. If left untreated, the infection can progress to severe neurological disease, with confusion, disruption of the sleep–wake cycle, and ultimately death.

There is no vaccine or prophylactic medication available. Prevention therefore relies entirely on avoiding tsetse fly bites in affected areas. Travellers who develop unexplained fever or neurological symptoms following travel in rural Chad should seek prompt medical assessment and ensure their travel history is clearly communicated.

Gastroenteritis is a very common illness for travellers in Chad and is usually linked to food or water contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. It can occur in both urban and rural settings, including where food preparation standards and sanitation are inconsistent.

Symptoms typically begin suddenly and may include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and general weakness, usually developing within one to three days of exposure. In most cases, illness is self-limiting and improves within a few days.

Maintaining hydration is the most important aspect of management, with oral rehydration solutions preferred where available. Medical review should be sought if symptoms are severe, prolonged, include blood in the stool, or are associated with high fever or signs of dehydration. Access to healthcare outside N’Djamena can be limited, so early treatment and careful monitoring are important.

Dengue and chikungunya are both viral infections transmitted by daytime-biting Aedes mosquitoes. They are common mosquito-borne disease risks in many tropical and subtropical regions.

Dengue typically causes a sudden high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, and pain behind the eyes. While most cases are self-limiting, a small proportion can progress to more severe illness requiring medical care.

Chikungunya causes a similar acute febrile illness but is particularly associated with prominent joint pain, which may persist for weeks or even months after the initial infection has resolved.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for either infection, and no widely available vaccine for chikungunya in Australia. Prevention relies primarily on strict mosquito bite avoidance throughout the day, including use of repellents, protective clothing, and screened or air-conditioned accommodation.

Rabies is a significant health risk in Chad and should be treated as a serious concern for all travellers. The rabies virus is carried mainly by dogs, but can also be present in wildlife such as bats. Once symptoms develop, rabies is almost always fatal.

Vaccination coverage in domestic animals is inconsistent, particularly outside N’Djamena, and access to reliable post-exposure treatment may be limited or unavailable in many parts of the country. For this reason, contact with animals should be avoided, including stray dogs in towns and villages as well as wild animals in rural and desert regions.

Pre-exposure rabies vaccination should be considered for travellers spending time in remote areas, on extended itineraries, or participating in higher-risk activities such as desert trekking, camel travel, or wildlife expeditions in places like Zakouma or the Ennedi region, where medical care may be far away.

Any bite, scratch, or saliva contact with broken skin or mucous membranes requires immediate and thorough washing of the wound with soap and water, followed by prompt medical assessment, even with prior rabies vaccination.

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection caused by larvae released by infected freshwater snails. Infection occurs when the parasite penetrates intact skin during contact with contaminated freshwater.

In Chad, risk is associated with freshwater environments such as Lake Chad and river systems in the south. Travellers should avoid all contact with freshwater throughout their stay, including swimming, wading, and washing in natural water sources.

There is no vaccine or preventive medication. Travellers with any possible freshwater exposure in Chad should seek medical review and testing after returning to Australia, as the infection is treatable and early management helps prevent long-term complications.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection spread through the air when an infected person coughs, speaks, or sings, primarily affecting the lungs and producing persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss.

Tuberculosis is present in Chad and remains a health consideration for travellers. The risk to short-stay tourists with limited contact with local communities is relatively low. Travellers on extended stays, those working in healthcare or community settings, or those spending prolonged time in close contact with local populations should discuss TB screening with their travel doctor before departure and after returning to Australia. A persistent unexplained cough or fever following return from Chad should be reported to a general practitioner alongside full travel history.