Central African Republic

Country fact file

General Information

The information on these pages should be used to research health risks and to inform the pre-travel consultation. Travellers should check the Foreign Office travel advice page (where available) which provides information on travel entry requirements in addition to safety and security advice. Travellers should ideally arrange an appointment with their health professional at least four to six weeks before travel. However, even if time is short, an appointment is still worthwhile. This appointment provides an opportunity to assess health risks taking into account a number of factors including destination, medical history, and planned activities. For those with pre-existing health problems, an earlier appointment is recommended. All travellers should ensure they have adequate travel health insurance. A list of useful resources including advice on how to reduce the risk of certain health problems is available below.

Recursos

• Food and water hygiene

• Insect and tick bite avoidance

• Personal safety

• Protección solar

What vaccinations do I need for Central African Republic?

Details of vaccination recommendations and requirements are provided below.

All travellers

Travellers should be up to date with routine vaccination courses and boosters as recommended in the UK. These vaccinations include for example measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine. Country-specific diphtheria recommendations are not provided here. Diphtheria tetanus and polio are combined in a single vaccine in the UK. Therefore, when a tetanus booster is recommended for travellers, diphtheria vaccine is also given. Should there be an outbreak of diphtheria in a country, diphtheria vaccination guidance will be provided. Those who may be at increased risk of an infectious disease due to their work, lifestyle choice, or certain underlying health problems should be up to date with additional recommended vaccines. See details on the selective immunisation programmes and additional vaccines for individuals with underlying medical conditions at the bottom of the 'Complete routine immunisation schedule' document and the individual chapters of the 'Green Book' Immunisation against infectious disease for further details.

Certificate requirements

Please read the information below carefully, as certificate requirements may be relevant to certain travellers only. For travellers further details, if required, should be sought from their healthcare professional. There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in all areas of this country. Under International Health Regulations, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers over 9 months of age. According to World Health Organization (WHO), from 11 July 2016 (for all countries), the yellow fever certificate will be valid for the duration of the life of the person vaccinated. As a consequence, a valid certificate, presented by arriving travellers, cannot be rejected on the grounds that more than ten years have passed since the date vaccination became effective as stated on the certificate; and that boosters or revaccination cannot be required. The yellow fever vaccine is not suitable for all travellers, there are specific undesirable effects associated with it. This vaccine is only available at registered yellow fever vaccination centres. Health professionals should carefully assess the risks and benefits of the vaccine, and seek specialist advice if necessary.

Most travellers

The vaccines in this section are recommended for most travellers visiting this country. Vaccines are listed alphabetically.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a viral infection transmitted through contaminated food and water or by direct contact with an infectious person. Symptoms are often mild or absent in young children, but the disease can be more serious with advancing age. Recovery can vary from weeks to months. Following hepatitis A infection immunity is lifelong.

Prevention
All travellers should take care with personal, food and water hygiene.

Hepatitis A vaccination
As hepatitis A vaccine is well tolerated and affords long-lasting protection, it is recommended for all previously unvaccinated travellers.

Hepatitis A in brief

Tétanos

Tetanus is caused by a toxin released from Clostridium tetani bacteria and occurs worldwide. Tetanus bacteria are present in soil and manure and may be introduced through open wounds such as a puncture wound, burn or scratch.

Prevention
Travellers should thoroughly clean all wounds and seek medical attention for injuries such as animal bites/scratches, burns or wounds contaminated with soil.

Tetanus vaccination
Travellers should have completed a tetanus vaccination course according to the UK schedule. If travelling to a country or area where medical facilities may be limited, a booster dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine is recommended if the last dose was more than ten years ago even if five doses of vaccine have been given previously. Country-specific information on medical facilities may be found in the 'health' section of the FCDO foreign travel advice pages.

Tetanus in brief

Tifus

Typhoid is a bacterial infection transmitted through contaminated food and water. Previous typhoid illness may only partially protect against re-infection.

Prevention
All travellers should take care with personal, food and water hygiene.

Typhoid vaccination
Oral and injectable typhoid vaccinations are available.

Typhoid in brief

Fiebre amarilla

Yellow fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes which predominantly feed between dawn and dusk, but may also bite at night, especially in the jungle environment. Symptoms may be absent or mild, but in severe cases it can cause internal bleeding, organ failure and death.

Yellow fever in Central African Republic
There is a risk of yellow fever transmission throughout this country.

Prevention
Travellers should avoid mosquito bites at all times.

Yellow fever vaccination
Vaccination is recommended for travellers aged 9 months and older. See vaccine recommendation map below. The yellow fever vaccine is not suitable for all travellers, there are specific undesirable effects associated with it. This vaccine is only available at registered yellow fever vaccination centres. Health professionals should carefully assess the risks and benefits of the vaccine, and seek specialist advice if necessary.

Yellow fever in brief

Some travellers

The vaccines in this section are recommended for some travellers visiting this country. Vaccines are listed alphabetically.

Chikungunya

Chikungunya is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes which bite mainly during daytime hours. It causes a flu-like illness and can cause severe joint and muscle pains which usually improve in 1–2 weeks but may persist for months or years. It is rarely fatal. This country has not reported chikungunya cases but shares a large land border with a country that has evidence of recent transmission. Information on current outbreaks, where available, will be reported on our outbreak surveillance database.

Prevention
Travellers should avoid mosquito bites, particularly during daytime hours.

Chikungunya vaccination
Vaccination is not usually recommended. Exceptionally, vaccination can be considered for individuals aged 12 years and older. In these situations, further expert advice should be considered. The final decision on vaccination rests with the health professional and the traveller after a detailed risk assessment has been performed. Detailed advice about the use and contraindications of the chikungunya vaccines will be available in the green book chikungunya chapter in the coming months.

Chikungunya in brief

Cólera

Cholera is a bacterial infection transmitted by contaminated food and water. Cholera can cause severe watery diarrhoea although mild infections are common. Most travellers are at low risk.

Prevention
All travellers should take care with personal, food and water hygiene.

Cholera vaccination
This oral vaccine is recommended for those whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk. This includes: aid workers, those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to safe water and medical care, and those for whom vaccination is considered potentially beneficial.

Cholera in brief

Dengue

Dengue is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes which mainly feed during daytime hours. It causes a flu-like illness, which can occasionally develop into a more serious life-threatening illness. Severe dengue is rare in travellers. The mosquitoes that spread dengue are more common in towns, cities and surrounding areas. There is a risk of dengue in this country. Information on current outbreaks, where available, will be reported on our outbreak surveillance database.

Prevention
Travellers should avoid mosquito bites, particularly during daytime hours.

Dengue vaccination
Vaccination can be considered for individuals aged 4 years of age and older who have had dengue infection in the past and who are: travelling to areas where there is a risk of dengue infection or areas with an ongoing outbreak of dengue, or are exposed to dengue virus through their work, such as laboratory staff working with the virus. Exceptionally, vaccination can be considered in those who have not had dengue in the past. In these situations, further expert advice should be considered.

Dengue in brief

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection spread through blood, semen and vaginal fluids. This mostly occurs during sexual contact or as a result of blood-to-blood contact. Mothers with the virus can also pass on the infection to their baby during childbirth. This country is considered to have an intermediate or high prevalence of hepatitis B.

Prevention
Travellers should avoid contact with blood or body fluids. This includes avoiding unprotected sexual intercourse, avoiding tattooing, piercing, public shaving, and acupuncture (unless sterile equipment is used), and not sharing needles or other injection equipment. A sterile medical equipment kit may be helpful when travelling to resource poor areas.

Hepatitis B vaccination
Vaccination could be considered for all travellers and is recommended for those whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk.

Hepatitis B in brief

Rabia

Rabies is a viral infection which is usually transmitted following contact with the saliva of an infected animal most often via a bite, scratch or lick to an open wound or mucous membrane. Rabies symptoms can take some time to develop, but when they do, the condition is almost always fatal. The risk of exposure is increased by certain activities and length of stay.

Prevention
Travellers should avoid contact with all animals. Rabies is preventable with prompt post-exposure treatment. Following a possible exposure, wounds should be thoroughly cleansed and an urgent local medical assessment sought, even if the wound appears trivial.

Rabies vaccination
A full course of pre-exposure vaccines simplifies and shortens the course of post-exposure treatment. Pre-exposure vaccinations are recommended for travellers whose activities put them at increased risk.

Rabies in brief

Tuberculosis

TB is a bacterial infection most commonly affecting the lungs but can affect any part of the body. TB is curable but can be serious if not treated. The BCG vaccination helps to protect some people, particularly babies and young children who are at increased risk from TB.

Prevention
Travellers should avoid close contact with individuals known to have infectious pulmonary (lung) or laryngeal (throat) TB.

Tuberculosis (BCG) vaccination
BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk of developing severe disease and/or of exposure to TB infection.

Tuberculosis in brief

What is the malaria risk in Central African Republic?

Malaria is a serious illness caused by infection of red blood cells with a parasite called Plasmodium. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes which predominantly feed between dusk and dawn. Symptoms usually begin with a fever of 38°C (100°F) or more. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is required as people with malaria can deteriorate quickly.

Prevención

Travellers should follow an ABCD guide to preventing malaria:

• Awareness of the risk – Risk depends on the specific location, season of travel, length of stay, activities and type of accommodation.

• Bite prevention – Travellers should take mosquito bite avoidance measures.

• Chemoprophylaxis – Take antimalarials if appropriate for the area (see below). No antimalarials are 100% effective but taking them in combination with mosquito bite avoidance measures will give substantial protection against malaria.

• Diagnosis – Travellers who develop a fever of 38°C (100°F) or higher more than one week after being in a malaria risk area should seek immediate medical care.

Risk areas

There is a high risk of malaria in Central African Republic: atovaquone/proguanil OR doxycycline OR mefloquine recommended.

Recommended antimalarials

The recommended antimalarials for Central African Republic are listed below. If these are not suitable please seek further specialist advice. Please note, the advice for children is different, the dose is based on body weight and some antimalarials are not suitable.

Atovoquone/Proguanil

Atovaquone 250mg/Proguanil 100mg combination preparation: start one to two days before arrival in the malaria risk area for adults, one tablet is taken every day, ideally at the same time of day for the duration of the time in a malaria risk area and daily for seven days after leaving the malaria risk area.

Doxiciclina

Doxycycline 100mg: start one to two days before arrival in the malaria risk area adults and children over 12 years of age take 100mg daily, ideally at the same time of day for the duration of the time in a malaria risk area.

Mefloquina

Mefloquine 250mg: this drug is taken weekly, adults take one 250mg tablet each week start two to three weeks before arrival in the malaria risk area.

Recursos

• Malaria in brief

• Malaria factsheet

• Children's antimalarial dose table

• Malaria prevention guidelines for travellers from the UK

What other risks should I be aware of?

There are some risks that are relevant to all travellers regardless of destination. These may for example include road traffic and other accidents, diseases transmitted by insects or ticks, diseases transmitted by contaminated food and water, or health issues related to the heat or cold.

Biting insects or ticks

Insect or tick bites can cause irritation and infections of the skin at the site of a bite. They can also spread certain diseases.

Prevention
All travellers should avoid insect and tick bites day and night.

Gripe

Seasonal influenza is a viral infection of the respiratory tract and spreads easily from person to person via respiratory droplets when coughing and sneezing.

Prevention
All travellers should avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals and avoid crowded conditions where possible. A vaccine is available in certain circumstances.

Outdoor air quality

Poor air quality is a significant public health problem in many parts of the world. Exposure to high levels of air pollution over short time periods is linked to many different acute and chronic health problems.

Prevention
Travellers with health problems that might make them more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution who are travelling to areas of high pollution should discuss their travel plans with their doctor and carry adequate supplies of their regular medication.

Current information on world air quality is available from the world air quality index project.

Esquistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection. Travellers may be exposed during activities such as wading, swimming, bathing or washing clothes in freshwater streams, rivers or lakes.

Prevention
There is no vaccine or tablets to prevent schistosomiasis. All travellers should avoid wading, swimming, or bathing in fresh water.

Infecciones de transmisión sexual

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a group of viral, bacterial and parasitic infections spread during sexual intercourse or by intimate contact.

Prevention
Using condoms consistently and correctly with new or casual partners is the most effective way to reduce risk of STIs.

Virus Zika

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes which predominantly feed during daytime hours.

Prevention
All travellers should avoid mosquito bites, particularly during daytime hours. There is no vaccination or medication to prevent Zika virus infection.

Updates

Warning Message Title

Mpox clade I outbreak

Warning Message Content
An outbreak of mpox clade I is ongoing. Monitor the news and outbreak sections on this page for updates.

Source and disclaimer

This travel health information is based on data supplied by NaTHNaC (the National Travel Health Network and Centre). All intellectual property rights in the data are owned by NaTHNaC. It must not be copied, reproduced, distributed, amended or offered for sale without NaTHNaC’s prior written consent.
Patient.info ensures that this information is reviewed and updated on at least a weekly basis. However, NaTHNaC’s data is accurate only as at the date it was prepared, and Patient.info is solely responsible for maintaining its accuracy and completeness after that date. NaTHNaC accepts no liability for the use of this data by Patient.info or its users.