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.

Hepatitis B

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

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.

For Some Travellers

Measles

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

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.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in Equitorial Guinea.

African Tick Bite Fever

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

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.

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

Petty crime occurs throughout Equatorial Guinea, with theft and pickpocketing targeting both visitors and expatriates. Violent crime including armed robbery, muggings, and carjacking occurs particularly in Malabo and Bata, with risks increasing after dark and in remote or poorer areas of towns. Robberies and violent assaults on passengers traveling by taxi have been reported in both cities, especially at night. Foreign nationals are sometimes specifically targeted by criminals. Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to reports of crime, even serious offenses. Arbitrary detention is a concern, with some travelers held for several weeks or more without embassy assistance being able to guarantee release. Police and military roadblocks are common throughout the country, and you may be asked to show identification and explain your reason for being in an area. Failure to comply can lead to detention. Security forces at roadblocks have regularly been reported asking for bribes. Photography of government buildings, military installations, airports, harbors, and the Presidential Palace is illegal and can result in arrest, detention, or attempts at extortion by officials.

Extreme Violence

Equatorial Guinea has relatively low rates of violent crime compared to many African neighbors, though armed robbery, muggings, carjacking, and assault do occur. The threat of violent crime is moderate, with risks greater in Malabo, Bata, and rural areas. Criminals may use force if victims resist. There is no recent history of terrorism in the country, though attacks cannot be ruled out. Human trafficking is a significant problem, with the country serving as both a source and destination for forced labor and sex trafficking. Women and girls are subjected to sex trafficking, and men, women, and children are exploited in forced labor, particularly in the cities of Malabo, Bata, and Mongomo. Piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea continue to be concerns. Pirates and armed groups typically carry out attacks on vessels using automatic weapons, with kidnappings for ransom and robbery of crew, passengers, and ship property being common occurrences near coastlines and in open seas. The government has a history of human rights abuses including arbitrary detention, systematic torture of prisoners, and violence by security forces with impunity. Security forces respond swiftly to political protests, and there have been reports of deaths in custody from torture.

Political Unrest

The political situation has been calm in recent years, but police, military, or security forces respond swiftly to any political protests on the streets. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has dominated all branches of government since 1979, and in 2022 elections the ruling party claimed over 99 percent of the vote amid significant irregularities including voter intimidation. The government frequently detains opposition politicians, cracks down on civil society groups, and censors journalists. Freedom of expression, association, and assembly are severely curtailed. In July 2024, residents of Annobon island protested damage to their lands allegedly caused by mining operations, resulting in more than 30 arrests and mobile phone and internet services being shut down for several weeks. The few local activists who seek to address human rights issues face intimidation, harassment, and reprisals. The country has no legally registered independent human rights groups. Political rallies and protests occur and should be avoided as they can be unpredictable. Demonstrations and large public gatherings are often blocked by the government, with organizers arrested. The authorities can stop you from leaving the country if you are involved in a commercial dispute, and there have been occasions when expatriate staff of foreign companies have been confined to the country for prolonged periods.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid walking around Malabo and Bata at night or driving after dark to reduce the risk of crime. Isolated or poorer areas of both cities should be avoided at all times. Remote areas of towns present greater risks, particularly after dark. Road travel after dark is not recommended due to safety concerns including widespread drunk driving and inconsistently lit roads. Rural areas often have unpaved and poorly maintained roads that are not designed for high-speed driving. During the rainy season from March to November, roads can become impassable due to flooding and landslides, particularly in rural regions. Avoid traveling off-road or in isolated areas due to limited phone coverage, rough terrain, and risk of vehicle breakdowns. Border areas may close without notice. The Rio Campo border with Cameroon is not always open and regulations change often. Military facilities are poorly marked and inconsistently staffed, especially in isolated areas. Maritime travel in the Gulf of Guinea requires extreme caution due to armed attacks on commercial shipping vessels.