Gabon
About Gabon
| Currency | Central African franc (XAF) |
| Language | French |
| Capital | Libreville |
The Gabonese Republic is located in central Africa at the Equator, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, and Equatorial Guinea. The population is about 1.6 million people. There are many indigenous languages spoken, but Fang, Mbere, and Sira are the most common. Gabon’s government is a multiparty presidential republic with a president as chief of state and a prime minister as head of government.
Gabon gained independence from France in 1960. Although the country has more than 40 ethnic groups, Gabon has not experienced ethnic conflict like other African countries and is one of the more stable countries in this region. Gabon’s economy depends heavily on oil and mineral reserves, giving the country a wealthy per capita income compared to many African countries. However, there remains a large gap between the wealthy and the poor, and most people live in poverty.
The government has made efforts to promote eco-tourism. About 10 percent of the country is designated as a national park system. The country has 13 national parks, along with beaches, rainforests, and wildlife, including gorillas and elephants. At this time, infrastructure for tourism, such as transportation, is lacking.
Recommended Vaccinations For Gabon
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis A Vaccine
There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
For Some Travellers
Cholera Vaccine
The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine
A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.
Yellow Fever Vaccine
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers 1 year of age and older. However, the vaccination is recommended for all travellers 9 months of age and older.
Typhoid Fever Vaccine
There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities, rural areas, where water and food may not be safe.
Rabies Vaccine
Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.
Recommended Medications For Gabon
For Some Travellers
Anti-malarial Drugs
Anti-malaria medication is recommended for travellers going to Gabon. Recommended medications are atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is present.
Diseases To Be Aware of for Gabon
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis A
There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A in Gabon.
Hepatitis B
There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis B in Gabon.
Chikungunya Fever
Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.
Dengue Fever
Dengue fever occurs in this country.
Cholera
Outbreaks of cholera occur in Gabon.
For Some Travellers
West Nile Fever
The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.
Rift Valley Fever (RVF)
Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.
Leishmaniasis
There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in the country. The infection is transmitted by the bite of infected phlebotomine sandfly.
Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever
There is a risk of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in the Gabon.
Hanta Virus
There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in the Gabon through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus
Monkeypox
There is a risk of monkeypox in the country. The disease can be caused by being scratched or bitten by an infected animal (a rodent or primate), or touching animal products, including skins and meat and being near an infected person who is coughing or sneezing.
Ebola Viral Disease
There is a risk of Ebola in Gabon. Ebola is caused by coming into contact with the body fluids from an infected person (alive or dead), such as blood, urine, saliva, and sweat, among others. Medical equipment contaminated with the boly fluids of an infected person or a person who died of Ebola or Marburg also cause the disease.
African Tick Bite Fever
There is an increased risk of this disease in this country.
Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)
African trypanosomiasis occurs in Gabon. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.
Measles
There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.
Malaria
Malaria risk exists throughout the year in the whole country.
Schistosomiasis
This disease is present in this country and is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.
Yellow Fever
There is a risk of yellow fever transmission.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis occurs in this country. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.
Typhoid Fever
Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Gabon, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where water and food may not be safe.
Rabies
Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.
Zika Fever
Zika virus can occur in this country.
Safety & Security in Gabon
Personal Safety
There is a high level of both petty and serious crime in Gabon, particularly in Libreville and Port-Gentil. Travellers should be alert in their surroundings, keep valuables and cash out of sight, and avoid showing signs of affluence.
Avoid isolated or poorer areas of towns. Avoid walking alone at night even in tourist areas. Avoid walking alone on beaches during the day, and avoid beaches completely at night.
Poor road conditions and reckless driving make road travel dangerous. In rural areas, roads may be unpaved and unlit at night. Avoid travelling after dark. Only use authorized taxis and book only from a trusted source such as a hotel, restaurant, or reputable company. Do not hail a taxi on the street.
In Libreville, there have been some carjackings. Keep car doors locked and windows closed. Do not stop to pick up hitch-hikers.
There are strict penalties for the possession and use of illegal drugs.
Serious crimes, including serious assault, carry the death penalty.
Photography of military sites, government buildings, and the Presidential Palace is strictly prohibited.
In 2019, the Gabon government passed a law criminalizing homosexuality. Consensual same-sex sexual relations are a criminal offense with penalties of up to six months in prison and a fine of up to 5 million CFA francs. Same-sex marriage is not legal in Gabon. The culture is not tolerant, therefore, avoid public displays of affection. There is no legal protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Tourism infrastructure is limited outside of the capital.
Always carry your passport and visa in case you are asked for identification.
Political Unrest
Protests and demonstrations have turned violent in the past. There are reports of a coup underway in Libreville and of heightened military presence near government buildings, including the Presidential Palace. A nationwide curfew is in place from 18:00 to 06:00. Minimize safety risk by avoiding all areas of civil unrest.
