Poor hygiene standards can pose a risk to Western travelers in Tanzania, so it’s important to take a few precautions.
Make sure you’re up to date on all the basic vaccinations: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, polio, chickenpox, MMR (measles-mumps-rubella), and Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis). The two additional vaccinations recommended for travel to Tanzania are typhoid and yellow fever; a rabies vaccine is only needed for people who will be coming into contact with animals or taking extended trips to remote areas. Malaria prophylaxis is also recommended, as is sleeping under a bed net in areas where mosquitos are prevalent (check with your accommodations for tips and a net when necessary).
Although it’s fine for brushing your teeth, Westerners in Tanzania should avoid drinking tap water. Bottled water is widely available, or you can treat your water by boiling, filtering, or chlorinating it. You should also be careful to avoid beverages made with water or ice. Lastly, make sure your food has been thoroughly cooked and is hot when it’s served to you, and skip raw fruits and vegetables unless they have a peel or skin you can remove.