Many of the diseases listed below occur in localized rural foci and are confined to rural areas. Arthropod-borne diseases are a major cause of disease. Malaria in the severe falciparum form occurs throughout the area, except at over 2,600 meters altitude and on the islands of Reunion and Seychelles. However, onchocerciasis exists in the island of Bioko, Equatorial Guinea. Both cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis may be found, particularly in the drier areas.
Visceral leishmaniasis is epidemic in eastern and southern Sudan.
In Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the transmission of human trypanosomiasis is very high, and there is significant risk of infection for travelers visiting or working in rural areas. Transmission rates are also high in Sudan and Uganda. Natural foci of plague have been reported from Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Tungiasis is widespread. Many viral diseases, some presenting as severe hemorrhagic fevers, are transmitted by mosquitos, ticks, sandflies, etc., which are found throughout this region.