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Mozzwise Briefing

Gambia
Overall Risk: Low

Gambia has peak mosquito activity during the rainy season from June through October. The entire country, which is small and follows the Gambia River, carries malaria risk. The river valley and surrounding wetlands provide extensive breeding habitat.

Malaria (P. falciparum and P. vivax) is the primary concern. Yellow fever is endemic. The rainy season concentrates transmission into a few months, with risk dropping significantly in the dry season from November through May.

Anopheles gambiae is the dominant malaria vector, breeding in pools and puddles created by seasonal rains. The Gambia Rivers floodplain creates an extended zone of prime mosquito habitat during the wet season.

Precautions

Use DEET (20%+) or Picaridin-based repellent on exposed skin
Wear light-colored, long-sleeve clothing at dawn and dusk
Sleep under a permethrin-treated mosquito net if no air conditioning
Eliminate standing water near your accommodation
Keep windows and doors closed or screened
Consider antimalarial prophylaxis if malaria is present — consult your doctor
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Disease presence data is sourced from WHO, CDC, ECDC, and OpenDengue. This is not medical advice — consult a travel health professional before your trip.

Mosquito Risk in Gambia | Mozzwise