Liberia

Recommended Vaccinations For Liberia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in all areas of his country. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers one year of age and older. The vaccination is recommended for all travellers 9 months of age and older.

Recommended Medications For Liberia

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 Liberia

For Most Travellers

Chikungunya Fever

Outbreaks of chikungunya fever may occur.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks occur in Liberia. 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.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Liberia through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Liberia.

For Some Travellers

Hanta Virus

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

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 acquiring the Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in Liberia.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in the country.

Measles

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

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis (“sleeping sickness”) occurs in this country. Symptoms include fatigue, high fever, headaches, and muscle aches. If not treated, the disease can cause death.

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.

Monkeypox

There is a risk of monkeypox in the country. The disease is 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.

Lassa Fever

Sporadic cases of Lassa fever have been reported in this country.

Malaria

All areas of Liberia are at high risk for malaria.

Yellow Fever

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in all areas of his country. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers one year of age and older.

Typhoid Fever

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

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Liberia. 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.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in Liberia 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 Liberia. Travellers to Liberia 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.

Ebola Viral Disease

A major outbreak occurred from 2014 to 2015. Sporadic cases leading to outbreaks may occur in rural areas. The risk of exposure for travellers is low.

Safety & Security in Liberia

Personal Safety

Crime rates in Liberia are high. The 2024 Gallup Global Report Law and Order Index identified Liberia as the most unsafe country in Africa for the second consecutive year. Nearly 45% of Liberians reported having money or property stolen within the past year, and 28% claimed to have been victims of assault, giving Liberia the highest assault rate globally. Petty theft and opportunistic crime are widespread, but organized criminal gangs also operate throughout the country. Criminals often carry knives, machetes, or firearms. Violent crimes including armed robbery, mugging, and burglary target both locals and foreign nationals. Foreign nationals have been mugged in the Mamba Point and Sinkor areas of Monrovia, where most international visitors stay. Criminals operate in nightclubs, on beaches during the day, and in taxis. Assault and robbery in taxis have been reported by foreigners. Crime increases significantly after dark due to lack of electricity in many parts of the capital. Night travel poses serious risks. Police presence is visible in Monrovia but fades quickly in rural areas. Police can be helpful, but some officers solicit bribes. Public trust in security institutions is low. Corruption within law enforcement leads many victims to hesitate in reporting crimes. Fear of inadequate police effectiveness or potential reprisals from perpetrators intensifies this cycle of insecurity.

Extreme Violence

Armed robbery is common, particularly in urban areas and on public beaches. Criminals are often armed with knives, machetes, or firearms. Criminal gangs, largely composed of loosely organized youth connected through ethnic, familial, or conflict era ties, engage in armed robbery and violent crime. Many gang members are believed to be former combatants from the civil wars. Gangs are well-armed and prone to violence, with weapons including cutlasses, single barrel shotguns, and AK-47 assault rifles. Criminals do not hesitate to employ violence, and many robberies also involve assaults. Mob violence and vigilantism are common, attributed to the public’s lack of confidence in police and the judicial system, and often result in deaths and injuries. Prison escapes have occurred, leaving armed escapees at large who are desperate and likely to be looking for vehicles or money. Sexual violence is a serious and pervasive problem. Rape and sexual assault rates are high. Government officials have allegedly committed acts of sexual violence. Some rape cases involve ritualistic elements.

Political Unrest

Liberia is generally stable politically, but protests and demonstrations occur regularly. Recent years have seen civic protests over economic hardship, corruption, and governance issues. In July 2025, the Solidarity and Trust for a New Day organized large-scale protests under the banner ‘We the People’ against the government. In December 2024, a legislative impasse and fire at the parliament building heightened political tensions. Demonstrations have on occasion resulted in violence or use of tear gas by authorities. Protests can escalate quickly, and police response may involve tear gas or force. Areas near political buildings or where demonstrations are happening should be avoided. In 2019 and 2020, mass protests occurred against economic turmoil, with police firing tear gas to disperse protesters. Political tensions between the ruling establishment and the opposition Congress for Democratic Change have created a polarized environment. Rising political tension is fueled by inflammatory rhetoric by those exploiting economic hardship to inflame anti-government sentiments.

Areas To Avoid

West Point, a densely populated neighborhood in Monrovia, is known for high crime rates and poor infrastructure. It is one of the most dangerous places in Liberia. In addition to prevalent crime, diseases like tuberculosis infect residents due to poor sanitation conditions. Red Light District, Waterside, Congo Town, ELWA Junction, and all market areas in greater Monrovia have high levels of criminal activity. Broad, Carey, and Gurley streets in Monrovia are areas where criminal activity is prevalent. Rural regions near the borders with Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Sierra Leone can be unpredictable, with poor roads, limited cell service, and little police presence. Even areas occupied and frequented by foreigners are not safe. Mamba Point and Sinkor in Monrovia, where foreigners tend to stay, have had many reported incidents of mugging, assault, and other crimes. Criminals also operate in nightclubs and on beaches during the day.