Sudan
Travel Destination – Sudan
Sudan has significant archaeological and cultural sites, including the UNESCO-listed Meroe pyramids, Jebel Barkal and the Nile Valley around Khartoum. Meroe contains more than 200 Kushite pyramids, while Jebel Barkal includes ancient temples and pyramid fields. Khartoum's Nile confluence, museums and markets, along with the Red Sea coast near Port Sudan, provide further cultural and natural attractions.
Armed conflict continues in Sudan, with security and access conditions varying across the country. Healthcare services are severely disrupted. Those contemplating travel to Sudan are advised to check the security situation and arrange a travel medicine consult well before departure.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Well before departing for Sudan, a travel medicine consultation should be arranged, ideally six to eight weeks in advance, to review routine and travel vaccinations, assess malaria risk, arrange any required medication and consider individual health needs. Advice can then be tailored to the regions and activities planned, whether travelling along the Nile, visiting archaeological sites or staying near the Red Sea coast.
Healthcare access in Sudan is severely limited, with many facilities unavailable and shortages of medicines, equipment and emergency services. Travellers should arrange specialist travel insurance that includes medical evacuation and other relevant security risks, as standard policies may not provide cover. Prescription medicines and any prescribed antimalarials should be obtained in Australia and carried in sufficient quantities for the entire stay.
Insect avoidance
Several insect- and tick-borne infections occur in Sudan, including malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, leishmaniasis and Rift Valley fever. Malaria is transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, which mainly bite from dusk to dawn, while Aedes mosquitoes that spread dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever are active mainly during the day. Ticks and sandflies can also transmit other infections, making protection useful throughout the day and night.
Apply DEET or picaridin to exposed skin and reapply as directed, particularly after sweating or washing. Wear long sleeves, trousers and closed footwear when practical, and use accommodation with effective screening or air conditioning. A permethrin-treated bed net is recommended where rooms are not adequately protected from mosquitoes, while treating outer clothing with permethrin can provide additional protection for travellers spending time in rural or field settings. Check with a travel doctor whether yellow fever vaccination is appropriate for your itinerary.
Food and water hygiene
Sudanese cuisine includes staples such as medames, sorghum-based dishes, grilled meats and fresh Red Sea seafood. Food can be enjoyed safely with careful precautions, but gastrointestinal infections remain a concern.
Water safety is particularly important. Use bottled, boiled or appropriately treated water for drinking and brushing teeth, and avoid ice unless its source is known to be safe. Wash hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet, carrying alcohol-based hand sanitiser when facilities are unavailable.
Choose food that is freshly cooked and served hot. Avoid raw or undercooked foods, cold dishes that have been sitting out, and food kept at room temperature for prolonged periods. Peel fruit yourself immediately before eating. These precautions help reduce the risk of gastroenteritis, as well as typhoid and hepatitis A, which are important considerations where sanitation and food safety infrastructure may be disrupted.
Rabies prevention
Rabies is present in Sudan and is carried by dogs and other mammals. The disease is almost always fatal once symptoms develop, and the availability of post-exposure treatment is severely compromised by the conflict's impact on healthcare infrastructure throughout the country.
Animal bites and scratches can lead to rabies. Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know. Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth. If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately, as bat bites may be hard to see. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is strongly recommended for all travellers given the severely compromised availability of post-exposure care within Sudan.
Any bite, scratch, or contact of broken skin with animal saliva requires the wound to be washed immediately and thoroughly with soap and running water, followed by prompt medical assessment, regardless of prior vaccination status.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Sudan?
Yellow Fever
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Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers aged nine months and over visiting areas south of the Sahara Desert.
Yellow fever transmission risk is present within Sudan due to the country's climate, ecology, and the Aedes aegypti mosquito population. Additionally, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination from travellers arriving from Sudan, which may be relevant when planning onward travel. Travellers arriving in Australia within six days of leaving Sudan require a vaccination certificate. A registered yellow fever vaccination centre should administer the vaccine after an individual health assessment, as it is not suitable for everyone.
Meningococcal disease
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Parts of Sudan fall within the meningitis belt, where meningococcal disease circulates at significantly elevated rates. The infection attacks the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord and can cause death or permanent disability without rapid treatment.
Vaccination with a MenACWY quadrivalent vaccine is recommended for travellers to Sudan, particularly those visiting affected regions during the dry season from December to June. A travel doctor can advise on timing and schedule based on individual vaccination history and planned itinerary.
Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A is a viral liver infection acquired through contaminated food or water, causing fatigue, nausea, and jaundice, with more significant illness in older travellers.
Vaccination for hepatitis A is recommended for all previously unvaccinated travellers to Sudan. With food and water safety severely compromised by the conflict across much of the country, the risk of exposure is elevated throughout. Two doses provide durable, long-lasting protection and a pre-travel consultation is the appropriate setting to confirm whether the course is complete.
Typhoid
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There is a moderate risk of typhoid for travellers to Sudan, and vaccination is recommended for most.
Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella Typhi bacteria in contaminated food or water, producing sustained fever, headache, fatigue, and abdominal pain that can progress without antibiotic treatment. Food and water hygiene remains an important additional measure alongside vaccination throughout the trip.
Rabies
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Rabies is present in Sudan and is carried by dogs and other mammals. The disease is almost always fatal once symptoms develop, and the availability of post-exposure treatment varies throughout the country.
Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies. Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know. Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth. If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately, as bat bites may be hard to see. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is strongly recommended for all travellers given the severely compromised availability of post-exposure care within Sudan.
Any bite, scratch, or contact of broken skin with animal saliva requires the wound to be washed immediately and thoroughly with soap and running water, followed by prompt medical assessment, regardless of prior vaccination status.
Polio
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Polio spreads through contaminated food and water and can cause permanent paralysis in some cases.
All travellers should confirm their vaccination is current, and adults who completed a childhood vaccination series should discuss whether an adult booster dose is required with their travel doctor.
Cholera
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Cholera is present in Sudan, though the risk is low for most travellers. Vaccination is recommended for those travelling to known outbreak areas, peace corps workers, volunteers, refugee workers, and others whose activities and contacts may place them at elevated risk.
Cholera is caused by the bacteriaVibrio cholerae in contaminated food or water, producing sudden, profuse, watery diarrhoea that can cause severe dehydration and become life-threatening without prompt treatment. All travellers should maintain careful food and water hygiene throughout their stay, and a travel doctor can advise on whether vaccination is appropriate based on individual itinerary and risk.
Routine vaccinations
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Before travelling to Sudan, make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), hepatitis B, polio, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air between people, including during international travel. Australian travellers born during or since 1966 should have two documented doses of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) before departure. If you are unsure whether you have received both doses, a travel doctor can check your vaccination history and advise whether further vaccination is appropriate.
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver and is spread through infected blood and other bodily fluids. Exposure can occur through medical or dental treatment, sexual contact, tattooing or piercing, or contaminated equipment. Vaccination provides long-term protection and is recommended for travellers who may have an increased chance of exposure while overseas.
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for travellers aged six months and over. COVID-19 vaccination should follow current Australian public health guidance, including recommended boosters for older adults and people with relevant underlying health conditions.
Sudan
Other health risks in Sudan
Malaria
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Fill your malaria prescription before you leave and take enough for the entire length of your trip, following your doctor's instructions carefully, as some medications need to be started before you leave.
Malaria risk due predominantly to Plasmodium falciparum is present throughout the year across the entire country, with risk low and seasonal in the north and higher in the central and southern parts. Malaria risk on the Red Sea coast is very limited. Chloroquine resistance is established, and there are other appropriate chemoprophylaxis options are available.
Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. Any fever developing during travel or within one year of returning home requires immediate medical assessment with full travel history provided to the treating clinician.
Gastroenteritis
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Gastroenteritis and gastrointestinal illnesses are among the most frequently encountered health problems for travellers in Sudan. They are typically caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites in contaminated food or water. Symptoms including diarrhoea, nausea, stomach cramps, and vomiting generally appear within one to three days of exposure.
Oral rehydration with commercially prepared solutions is the primary treatment for uncomplicated cases, and most episodes improve within a few days. Medical attention should be sought promptly if symptoms are severe, persistent, contain blood, or are accompanied by fever.
Dengue and chikungunya
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Dengue and chikungunya occur in Sudan and are spread mainly by daytime-biting Aedes mosquitoes. Dengue typically causes sudden fever, severe headache, and muscle and joint pain and can occasionally become severe. Chikungunya causes a similar acute illness, but persistent joint pain is particularly characteristic and may continue for weeks or months.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for either infection, so consistent daytime mosquito protection is the main preventive measure. Use DEET or picaridin, cover exposed skin and stay in accommodation with effective insect screening or air conditioning where possible.
Schistosomiasis
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Schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia) is a parasitic infection acquired when larvae released by infected freshwater snails penetrate intact skin during contact with contaminated water. The Nile River and its extensive network of tributaries, canals, and irrigation systems throughout Sudan carry this risk.
Contact with freshwater bodies including swimming, wading, and bathing should be avoided throughout the country. No preventive vaccine or medication is available. Any traveller with freshwater exposure should seek testing on returning to Australia, where effective treatment is accessible.
Tuberculosis
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Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne bacterial infection, most commonly affecting the lungs. It can spread when someone with active TB coughs, speaks or sings, with symptoms including a persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss.
TB remains an important health concern in Sudan, with transmission risk increased by displacement, overcrowding and disruption to healthcare services. Most short-term visitors have a relatively low risk, while people working in healthcare, humanitarian settings or spending prolonged periods in close contact with local communities may have greater exposure. Higher-risk travellers should discuss TB screening before and after travel. A persistent cough or other concerning symptoms after returning should be medically assessed, with travel history mentioned to the doctor.
Rift Valley Fever
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Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a viral infection that primarily affects livestock but can also infect people. Humans may become infected through bites from infected mosquitoes or through contact with the blood, organs or other tissues of infected animals, particularly during slaughtering, butchering or veterinary work. Most human infections are mild, but a small proportion develop severe disease, including haemorrhagic fever, eye complications or encephalitis.
Travellers should use mosquito protection and avoid contact with animal blood, tissues and bodily fluids, particularly in rural or farming settings. There is no widely available human vaccine or specific treatment, so prevention is important.
Non-infectious conditions
Crime and unrest
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Sudan has significant security risks, including armed conflict, civil unrest, terrorism, kidnapping and violent crime. Conditions can change rapidly, and infrastructure and access routes may be disrupted with little warning. Landmines and unexploded ordnance remain hazards in some conflict-affected areas. Travellers should follow current government advice and maintain appropriate security and evacuation arrangements. Refer to the Australian Government's Smartraveller website before and during travel for up to date information.
Safety on the roads and elsewhere
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Road conditions range from paved highways to poorly maintained or impassable rural tracks, with infrastructure affected by conflict. Road travel can be hazardous, particularly outside major centres, and conditions may change quickly. Night driving should be avoided. Anyone travelling for essential reasons should assess routes carefully and use appropriate local security guidance. Extreme heat in many regions also makes hydration, sun protection and avoiding strenuous activity during the hottest hours important.
Deep vein thrombosis
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Long-distance travel from Australia to Sudan often involves extended flights and one or more connections. Sitting for prolonged periods can reduce blood flow in the legs and increase the chance of developing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
During the journey, walk around the cabin regularly, perform ankle and calf movements while seated, and drink fluids normally. Travellers with additional risk factors, such as previous DVT, recent surgery, pregnancy, hormonal contraception or significant overweight, should discuss whether compression stockings are suitable with a travel doctor before departure.