Facilities and Health Information:
Hospitals and medical facilities in Liberia are very poorly equipped and are incapable of providing many services. Emergency services comparable to those in the U.S. or Europe are non-existent, and the blood supply is unreliable and unsafe for transfusion. For serious medical problems, U.S. citizens in Liberia should consider traveling to the United States, Europe, or South Africa for treatment. Medicines are scarce, often beyond expiration dates, and generally unavailable in most areas. As there is neither an effective garbage removal service nor a functioning sewer system, sanitation throughout urban areas is very poor, which increases the potential for disease. Upper respiratory infections and diarrhea are common, as well as more serious diseases such as typhoid and malaria. All travelers to Liberia must be vaccinated against yellow fever and should carry a supply of all prescription medication, including anti-malaria medication, adequate for their entire stay. A typhoid vaccination is also recommended.
Drinking Water Source - % of rural population improved"
63%
Drinking Water Source - % of total population unimproved:
25.4%
Drinking Water Source - % of urban population improved:
86.8%
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.5%
Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population:
.8
People Living with HIV/AIDS:
37,000
Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population:
.01
Sanitation Facility Access - % of total population unimproved:
83.2%
Sanitation Facility Access - % of urban population improved:
28.4%
Sanitation Facitlity Access - % of rural population improved:
5.9%
Infectious Diseases - degree of risk:
very high
Animal Contact Disease (s):
rabies
Food or Waterborne Disease (s):
bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
Soil contact disease (s):
Lassa fever
Vectorborne Disease (s):
malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever
Water contact disease (s):
schistosomiasis