Equatorial Guinea

Recommended Vaccinations For Equatorial Guinea

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

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 travellers over 6 months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. 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 or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

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.

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 should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Equatorial Guinea

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medications include atovaquone-proguanil, mefloquine or doxycycline. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxime-pyrimethamine has been reported.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Equatorial Guinea

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Equatorial Guinea through contaminated food or water.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks occur in Equatorial Guinea. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked or raw seafood in this country.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Equatorial Guinea.

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 Equitorial Guinea.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Equitorial Guinea through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

African Tick Bite Fever

There is an increased risk of this disease in this country.

Malaria

All areas of Equatorial Guinea are at high risk for malaria.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis (“sleeping sickness”) occurs in this country. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

Yellow Fever

There is a risk for yellow fever transmission in this country. This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers over 6 months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Equatorial Guinea, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in Equatorial Guinea 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.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Equatorial Guinea. Travellers 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.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Equatorial Guinea. 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.

Safety & Security in Equatorial Guinea

Personal Safety

Compared to other countries in Africa, the crime rate is relatively low in Equatorial Guinea. However, petty crime, such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, or other theft does occur, particularly in Bata and Malabo. Always take precautions for personal safety and security. Keep valuables secured and out of sight. Safeguard your important documents, such as your passport. Avoid walking alone at night.

There have been reports of people being robbed when travelling by taxi in both Malabo and Bata.

Always carry a copy of your passport and necessary identification. If travelling outside Malabo or Bata, it is recommended that you have a letter from your organization officially stating the purpose of your travel to Equatorial Guinea.

If you travel outside the main cities, notify local authorities. You may need a travel permit and a photography permit.

Although road travel is generally safe, road travel in rural areas may be difficult due to poor road conditions and lack of signage. Military and police roadblocks are common. Be ready to show all identification and documents. Avoid travelling after dark.

All public displays of affection are illegal.

Do not take photos of the presidential palace, airports, military installations, and harbours.

Although same-sex sexual relations are not illegal in Equatorial Guinea, they are not socially tolerated and LGBTI travellers may face discrimination.

When travelling outside of Bata and Malabo, a permit may be required. Contact local authorities to ensure you have official permission and proper identification documents to travel.

Extreme Violence

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Equatorial Guinea, attacks cannot be ruled out. They can be indiscriminate.

Political Unrest

In Equitorial Guinea, demonstrations must be approved by the government; therefore they rarely occur. Security forces have used tear gas to disperse crowds during illegal protests in the past. Roadblocks are common, especially in and around the cities of Malabo and Bata. Avoid public demonstrations or protests as even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent.

Areas To Avoid

The border with Cameroon is prone to violent clashes due to contested border areas. In 2020, a cross-border pact was signed with Cameroon in an attempt to resolve the issue but the borders can still close unexpectedly.