Côte d’Ivoire

Use High Level of Caution

Avoid Travel to the following Regions: Dix-Huit Montagnes, Bas-Sassandra, Moyen-Cavally, and Haut-Sassandra

The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire is located in western Africa bordered by Ghana, Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, and with coastline on the North Atlantic Ocean. The population is about 22 million people. The government is a presidential republic with a president as chief of state and a prime minister as head of government.

Côte d’Ivoire achieved independence from France in 1960, and for the next 30 years enjoyed stability and a prosperous, well-developed economy. After a coup in 1999, however, the country has suffered through ethnic and religious strife, civil war, and political instability.

The political crisis at the end of 2010 led tourists to look to other destinations for holidays. The government is attempting to improve the image of Côte d’Ivoire and promote tourism. Travellers can visit nine national parks (some of which are UNESCO World Heritage parks), beaches, the city of Yamoussoukro, or the district of Le Plateau in Abidjan.

Currency	XOF: West African CFA franc
Language	French
Capital	Yamoussoukro
Recent Alerts	1
Latest Alert	July 20, 2021 - Cote d'Ivoire: Nationwide Strike from 21-23 July by Tax Agents

Diseases To Be Aware Of

The diseases listed below are those which occur most often in Côte d’Ivoire. Other, less frequently encountered diseases might be displayed within the Travel Alerts section if they have occurred recently.

Hepatitis A There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Côte d’Ivoire through contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis B There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Côte d’Ivoire.
Typhoid Fever Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Côte d’Ivoire, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.
Yellow Fever Travellers are at risk for yellow fever in this country. This country requires all persons greater than 9 months of age to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination.
Rabies Rabies occurs in the Côte d’Ivoire. 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.
Cholera Cholera outbreaks occur in Côte d’Ivoire. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked or raw seafood.
Meningitis Meningitis outbreaks may occur in Côte d’Ivoire. Travellers who visit during the dry season (December to June) or expect to have prolonged contact with the local population are especially at risk.
Tuberculosis Tuberculosis occurs in Côte d’Ivoire. Travellers to Côte d’Ivoire 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.
Dengue Fever Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.
Malaria All areas of Côte d’Ivoire are at risk for malaria.
Schistosomiasis This disease is present in this country 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.
Chikungunya Fever Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.
Sleeping Sickness (Type 1) African trypanosomiasis (“sleeping sickness”) occurs in this country. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.
Zika Fever Zika fever may occur in this country.
Elephantiasis 74 out of 83 health districts are affected by lymphatic filariasis or elephantiasis.
African Tick Bite Fever There is an increased risk of this disease in this country.

Vaccinations to Consider

The following is a list of recommended vaccinations for travelling to Côte d’Ivoire.

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.
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.
Yellow Fever Vaccine Travellers are at risk for yellow fever in this country. This country requires all persons greater than 9 months of age to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination.
Rabies Vaccine Pre-travel 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. Persons with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.
Meningitis Vaccine Because this country is located in the sub-Saharan meningitis belt, vaccination against meningitis is recommended if travelling during the dry season (December to June).
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.

Medications to Consider

The following is a list of recommended medications for travelling to Côte d’Ivoire.

Anti-malarial Drugs Recommended anti-malaria medications include atovaquone-proguanil, mefloquine or doxycycline. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxime-pyrimethamine has been reported.

Safety and Security in Côte d’Ivoire

Emergency Numbers

111

180

170

110

111

185

There may be limited resources to respond to emergencies.

Personal Safety

There is a high risk of crime in Côte d’Ivoire. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching does occur, especially in crowded areas. Keep valuables out of sight.

Armed robbery has occurred in restaurants and businesses. Carjackings, and even bus-jackings, have occurred.

If driving, make sure windows are up and doors locked. In many areas of Côte d’Ivoire, road conditions and the condition of vehicles may be poor. Drivers may not respect the rules of the road. Avoid road travel at night if possible.

When driving, you may encounter checkpoints, particularly after dark, and your vehicle may be searched. Always carry necessary identification. Armed groups may establish illegal roadblocks, sometimes on main roads.

Do not use public transportation. Avoid using taxis as well.

Exercise caution when swimming as currents may be strong and unpredictable and drownings occur frequently.

While there are no laws against same-sex relationships in this country, the social stigma is serious. Police and other official personnel have been known to discriminate against, and abuse, members of the gay community.

In Abidjan, some reports indicate the security situation has improved. However, there is still a risk of crime here, including carjackings, robbery, and theft. If driving, keep doors locked and windows up, particularly on the main road between Abidjan and Yamoussoukro. Avoid walking across the Houphoet-Boigny and the De Gaulle bridges to Le Plateau where people have been mugged and robbed at any time of the day or night.

Severe rains can cause flooding, infrastructure damage, and may disrupt travel plans. Monitor weather reports closely and heed advice of local authorities.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid all but essential travel to the following regions due to unstable security and violent crime: Bas-Sassandra, Dix-Huit Montagnes, Haut-Sassandra, and Moyen-Cavally.

Avoid travelling to regions bordering Liberia due to the heightened risk of armed attacks.

Avoid travelling to regions bordering Mali due to the heightened risk of terrorism.

Extreme Violence

There is a significant threat of terrorism and kidnapping throughout West Africa. Due to the Côte d’Ivoire’s participation in the conflict in Mali, there is a threat of retaliatory attacks in Côte d’Ivoire. The border with Mali is a high-risk zone. Foreigners have been kidnapped and killed.

Political Unrest

Demonstrations can occur in Côte d’Ivoire, especially in large cities, and have turned violent. Always avoid large public gatherings and demonstrations since the situation can turn violent unexpectedly.

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Sitata uses advanced software algorithms to monitor the world for disease outbreaks and safety hazards. Each travel alert published by Sitata is reviewed by staff to ensure it meets the concerns of a traveller.

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Updated: July 20, 2021