Comoros

Recommended Vaccinations For Comoros

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.

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.

Rabies Vaccine

Pre-travel vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities that may bring them in direct contact with bats.

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 Comoros

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended medications are atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Comoros

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

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

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

Hepatitis B

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

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever occurs in this country.

For Some Travellers

Malaria

All areas of this country are at risk for malaria.

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.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in this country.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

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

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 this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

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.

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.

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.

Typhoid Fever

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

Rabies

Rabies occurs in the Comoros in bats.

Safety & Security in Comoros

Personal Safety

Comoros maintains relatively low overall crime levels. Petty crime like pickpocketing and purse snatching does occur, particularly in crowded outdoor markets, parks and beaches. Street robbery is rare. Walking alone at night increases your risk, especially on beaches and in town centers. There have been some instances of sexual assault, though these remain uncommon and aren’t specifically targeted at foreign visitors. You need to carry identification at all times. Photographing military installations, police buildings and public infrastructure is illegal and can result in arrest and equipment confiscation. Always ask permission before photographing people. The country operates on a mainly cash economy with very few ATMs or banks, and credit cards are not widely accepted. Drinking alcohol or being drunk on public highways is illegal and can result in fines or imprisonment. Drug trafficking and possession carry severe penalties including mandatory minimum five-year jail sentences, heavy fines and deportation. Power outages occur regularly across the islands, and water shortages happen frequently due to below-average rainfall in recent years.

Extreme Violence

Comoros has no recent history of terrorism, though attacks cannot be ruled out entirely. The country’s brand of Sunni Islam is tolerant and pragmatic, with few fundamentalist sympathizers. There have been no terrorist attacks targeting foreign nationals. Violent crime against tourists is rare. Reports of religious-based violence are uncommon. Pirate attacks and armed robberies against ships have occurred in coastal waters and farther out to sea in the Mozambique Channel and Gulf of Aden. Mariners should take suitable precautions. Ferry accidents happen occasionally due to poor maintenance of vessels, overcrowding, and lack of safety equipment. Some inter-island vessels are in poor condition, don’t meet international safety standards and can be overloaded without proper life jackets, resulting in capsized boats and fatalities. Coastal waters can be dangerous even for experienced swimmers. Riptides are common and several drownings occur each year. Beaches are generally unsupervised with no warning system for unsafe conditions. Mount Karthala near Moroni is an active volcano that last erupted in 2007 and can erupt at any time.

Political Unrest

Comoros experiences periodic political unrest and protests, particularly around elections. In January 2024, a protestor was killed and several injured in clashes with security forces following disputed presidential election results. Protests occur spontaneously and are typically motivated by political factors, primarily in Moroni, though demonstrations also happen on Anjouan and Mohéli. Some protests have turned violent with property destruction reported. Demonstrations have previously blocked roads, making travel in Moroni difficult, including routes between the city and the international airport. Since 2019, a de facto ban on peaceful demonstrations and public political gatherings has been in place. The country has experienced over 20 coups and attempted coups since independence from France in 1975, contributing to chronic political instability. Due to a longstanding dispute between Comoros and France about the island of Mayotte, there is anti-French sentiment and occasional demonstrations on this issue. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. During unrest periods, authorities have imposed curfews with minimal notice and disrupted internet access. You should avoid all demonstrations, large gatherings and political rallies, and monitor local media for developments.

Areas To Avoid

Comoros does not have specific areas that are categorically dangerous for travelers. The main security concerns relate to timing rather than location. Political tensions and demonstrations concentrate primarily in Moroni, the capital on Grande Comore, especially during election periods. Protests have previously blocked roads between the city and the international airport. In January 2024, post-election violence occurred in Moroni and also affected Mohéli and Anjouan islands, where government buildings were set on fire. The old town of Mutsamudu on Anjouan has seen violent protests related to political disputes. Travel between islands by boat requires caution as vessels can be overcrowded, poorly maintained and lacking safety equipment. Grande Comore and Mohéli are known to lack well-developed tourist facilities. Walking alone at night increases risk throughout the country, including on beaches and in town centers across all islands, due to poor street lighting and limited police presence. During the rainy season from December to April, roads may become impassable due to mudslides and landslides, particularly in rural areas. Mount Karthala near Moroni is an active volcano and should be approached with caution.