Mayotte

Recommended Vaccinations For Mayotte

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

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

The yellow fever vaccination is not recommended for this country. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers whose activities or employment may bring them into direct contact with bats (i.e. adventure travellers, veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers, etc.).

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.

Recommended Medications For Mayotte

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 Mayotte

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

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

Hepatitis A

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

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

For Some Travellers

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

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)

Sporadic outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) may occur in this country. 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 this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in this country through specific insect, bug or tick bites or by coming in close contact with a person or animal infected with this disease. Travellers involved in activities like hiking, camping, working with animals, and visiting farms and forested areas are at a higher risk. There are no vaccinations (or medications) to prevent Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in this country. Ticks that cause this disease are usually most active from November through April. Travellers engaging in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and game hunting in wooded, brushy, or grassy areas may be at a higher risk.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis occurs in this country. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Rabies

Rabies may be present in bats, but has not been reported in domestic or wild animals in this country.

Malaria

There is a low risk for malaria.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Mayotte. Travellers to Mayotte 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.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Typhoid Fever

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

Safety & Security in Mayotte

Personal Safety

Mayotte experiences high levels of crimes of opportunity, with pickpocketing and purse snatching occurring frequently in crowded areas. Foreigners are particularly targeted in the Kaweni neighborhood of Mamoudzou and at public gatherings including markets and transport hubs. Residential break-ins occur regularly, with burglars sometimes targeting properties owned or rented by foreigners. Car theft, vehicle break-ins and carjacking happen across the territory, with rental and luxury vehicles being prime targets. Gang-related violence occurs on the island, though criminals typically use knives or firearms. While violent incidents rarely target foreigners or tourists directly, you face risks of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Between 2021 and 2023, Mayotte recorded 5.1 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, significantly higher than metropolitan France. Armed robbery with weapons remains a concern, with over 400 incidents reported in 2023 alone. In September 2025, the island experienced a surge in violence including attacks on school buses and assaults against civilians. Recurring gang activity in localities like Kaweni and Majikavo Lamir has resulted in fatalities, with clashes between rival groups disrupting daily life.

Extreme Violence

Gang violence represents a persistent security threat in Mayotte. Criminal groups often use machetes, knives and firearms in confrontations. In December 2023, clashes between rival gangs based in Kaweni and Majikavo Lamir left one teenager dead. School buses have been targeted in violent ambushes, with a November 2022 incident making national headlines across France. Attacks on commuters around Tsoundzou have involved groups obstructing road traffic for hours before security forces intervene. In April 2023 during Operation Wuambushu, clashes occurred between law enforcement and attackers armed with machetes in Mamoudzou. In Koungou, four gendarmes were wounded when attacked by several dozen assailants, some disguised as women and armed with machetes and stones. The French Ministry of Interior has repeatedly deployed additional security forces to address recurring violence. Local officials and civil society groups increasingly criticize the recurrent insecurity, including assaults against students and public transportation, illegal roadblocks and murders.

Political Unrest

Spontaneous demonstrations and civil unrest take place periodically in main cities due to socioeconomic tensions. Clashes between protesters and security forces have occurred. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent suddenly and lead to confrontations with authorities. Protests disrupt traffic, public transportation and health and emergency services. In February 2024, protesters from the Forces vives de Mayotte collective shut down the port of Longoni to express dissatisfaction with irregular migration and inadequate security measures. The blockade affected 65% of the region’s food supply needs. Throughout 2024, demonstrators set up barricades at various points across the island, with weeks of roadblocks paralyzing the economy and causing food shortages. Protests over water shortages have erupted multiple times, with the Mayotte is Thirsty movement demanding accountability for alleged mismanagement. The territory experienced major civil unrest in early 2024, with a fortnight of protests, violence and curfews disrupting daily life. Political tensions around migration policy and resource allocation continue to fuel periodic unrest.

Areas To Avoid

The Kaweni neighborhood in Mamoudzou represents a high-risk area where thieves frequently target foreigners. Criminal activity including pickpocketing and theft is particularly prevalent in this district. Crowded public areas throughout the capital Mamoudzou experience elevated rates of petty crime. Markets and transport hubs attract opportunistic criminals. Localities including Majikavo Lamir have been sites of gang clashes and violent incidents. The areas around Tsoundzou have experienced attacks on commuters with roadblocks. Koungou has seen confrontations between security forces and armed groups. During periods of civil unrest, barricades appear on main roads in communes including Bandrele, Dembeni, Chiconi, Sada, Ouangani, Chirongui, Boueni and Kani-Keli, blocking access and creating security concerns. Poorly lit or isolated areas across the territory pose higher risks, especially during evening and nighttime hours. Rural areas and less populated zones have limited security presence and slower emergency response times.