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Mosquitoes in Nigeria

Overall Risk: Low

Nigeria has year-round mosquito activity across most of the country, with peak risk during and after the rainy season from April through October in the south and June through September in the north. The entire country carries malaria risk, with the highest burden in southern and middle belt states. Urban areas including Lagos, Abuja, and Kano are not spared.

Precautions

CDC recommends EPA-registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus
WHO advises long-sleeved clothing and long trousers during dusk and dawn hours
WHO recommends permethrin-treated bed nets where accommodation is open-air or unscreened
WHO emphasises eliminating standing water to prevent Aedes breeding
CDC recommends intact window screens in accommodation
CDC recommends antimalarial chemoprophylaxis for travellers to malaria transmission zones

Nigeria Mosquito Season

Nigeria has year-round mosquito activity across most of the country, with peak risk during and after the rainy season from April through October in the south and June through September in the north. The entire country carries malaria risk, with the highest burden in southern and middle belt states. Urban areas including Lagos, Abuja, and Kano are not spared.

WHO and CDC surveillance reports indicate that the seasonal mosquito risk in Nigeria aligns with rainfall patterns and temperature, with peak transmission of Nigeria's most-reported disease (Chikungunya) typically following the wet season. Travel timing should account for these climatic windows.

Mosquito-Borne Diseases in Nigeria

Mozzwise tracks 6 mosquito-borne diseases in Nigeria based on WHO, CDC, and ECDC surveillance. Each entry below cross-links to a full Mozzwise disease briefing.

Chikungunya is tracked as present in Nigeria based on historical surveillance, though active transmission is not currently flagged. Elderly travelers, newborns, and people with chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease. The debilitating joint pain can persist for months or years, significantly affecting quality of life. Reported globally in: Africa, Asia, Indian subcontinent, Americas. Expanding into southern Europe (Italy, France, Spain).

Lymphatic Filariasis is tracked as present in Nigeria based on historical surveillance, though active transmission is not currently flagged. Long-term residents and expats in endemic tropical areas. Very rare in short-term tourists. The infection requires sustained, repeated exposure over months — a two-week holiday is extremely unlikely to result in infection. Reported globally in: Tropical Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands. Approximately 47 endemic countries.

Malaria is tracked as present in Nigeria based on historical surveillance, though active transmission is not currently flagged. Young children under 5, pregnant women, and travelers without immunity are most vulnerable. Around 600,000 people die from malaria each year. The right precautions and prophylaxis make all the difference. Reported globally in: Sub-Saharan Africa (90% of cases), South and Southeast Asia, Central and South America, Middle East.

West Nile Virus is tracked as present in Nigeria based on historical surveillance, though active transmission is not currently flagged. Adults over 60 and immunocompromised travelers face the greatest risk of severe neuroinvasive disease. There is no vaccine and no specific treatment — taking precautions is your only protection. Reported globally in: Americas, Europe (expanding since 2010), Middle East, parts of Africa. Peak in late summer.

Yellow Fever is tracked as present in Nigeria based on historical surveillance, though active transmission is not currently flagged. Unvaccinated travelers to Africa and South America face the highest risk. Severe cases have a 20-50% fatality rate, but the vaccine is extremely effective and widely available at travel clinics. Reported globally in: Sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America. 47 endemic countries with vaccination requirements.

Zika Virus is tracked as present in Nigeria based on historical surveillance, though active transmission is not currently flagged. Pregnant women and those planning pregnancy are the primary concern. The virus can cause devastating birth defects including microcephaly. Most adults recover without issues within a week. Reported globally in: Tropical Americas, Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands. Ongoing low-level transmission since the 2015-2016 epidemic.

Mosquito Species in Nigeria

Travelers in Nigeria are most likely to encounter the following mosquito species. Each species has a distinct biting pattern (day vs night) and habitat — understanding which you may meet shapes when protection matters most.

SpeciesCarriesWhen It BitesHabitat
Aedes aegyptiDengue fever, Zika virus, Chikungunya, Yellow feverDay-biting with peaks in early morning and late afternoonUrban and peri-urban environments closely tied to human habitation
Aedes albopictusDengue fever, Chikungunya, Zika virusAggressive daytime biter, active throughout daylight hours with less pronounced dawn/dusk peaks than AeHighly adaptable — urban, suburban, peri-urban, semi-rural, and forest-edge environments
Anopheles gambiaeMalaria, Lymphatic filariasisNight-biting, peaking between 10 PM and 2 AMSunlit, shallow, temporary water bodies — puddles, hoof prints, tyre tracks, rain pools
Anopheles stephensiMalariaNight-biting, with significant activity in the early nightUrban and peri-urban water-storage systems — overhead tanks, wells, cisterns, construction sites, domestic water jars
Anopheles dirusMalariaEarly evening outdoor biter, active around sundown at forest marginsShaded forest pools, stream margins, and gem-mining pits in hilly forested terrain
Anopheles minimusMalariaEarly-night biter (dusk to midnight)Slow-moving, clean streams with grassy or rocky margins in hilly and foothill terrain
Anopheles funestusMalaria, Lymphatic filariasisNight-biting, active throughout the nightSemi-permanent vegetated water bodies — marshes, swamp edges, irrigation channels, stream fringes with aquatic vegetation
Culex pipiensWest Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitisDusk-to-night biterAny stagnant water — drains, catch basins, birdbaths, unused pools, clogged gutters, containers

How to Avoid Mosquito Bites in Nigeria

Public health agencies converge on a layered approach to reducing mosquito bites in Nigeria. The core recommendations across CDC, WHO, and ECDC are as follows.

Skin-applied repellents. CDC recommends EPA-registered repellents containing one of four tested active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus / para-menthane-diol. CDC advises applying sunscreen first and repellent on top, and reapplying at the interval stated on the product label.

Permethrin-treated clothing. WHO and CDC both recommend permethrin treatment of trousers, long-sleeved shirts, and socks for settings with sustained mosquito exposure. Permethrin binds to fabric and is effective against both Aedes and Anopheles species. It is not applied to skin.

Accommodation. Air-conditioned rooms with intact window screens substantially reduce indoor exposure. Bed nets — ideally permethrin-treated — are standard in open-air or budget accommodation. WHO emphasises removing standing water around accommodation, as even bottle caps, plant saucers, and water-storage containers can support Aedes breeding.

Timing. Aedes vectors active in cities and resort areas typically bite in daylight, with peaks in early morning and late afternoon. Anopheles vectors active in forested or rural areas typically bite at night.

For travelers to malaria transmission zones in Nigeria, CDC and WHO recommend prescription chemoprophylaxis. The specific regimen depends on geography and individual circumstances and is a personal decision with a qualified travel health professional.

Yellow fever vaccination is recommended by WHO for travel to Nigeria's endemic zones, and proof of vaccination via the International Certificate may be required for entry. Confirm requirements with the destination's official guidance and a travel health clinic.

For product reviews and brand comparisons see our [travel prevention guides](/guides). Personal decisions on repellent choice, vaccination, or any prescription medication remain with a qualified travel health professional.

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More in West Africa

Explore mosquito risk briefings for other destinations in West Africa.

GhanaSenegalIvory CoastMaliBurkina FasoGuineaSierra LeoneLiberiaNigerGambiaGuinea-BissauTogoBeninCape VerdeMauritania

Sources

Content on this page draws from the following sources, last verified on 2026-06-06.

Disease presence data is sourced from WHO, CDC, ECDC, and OpenDengue. Not medical advice. Personal decisions on repellents, vaccinations, or medication belong with a qualified travel health professional.

Mosquito Risk in Nigeria | Mozzwise