Country Name |
Central African Republic |
Continent |
Africa |
Surface area |
622,984 km2 |
Capital |
Bangui |
Population |
5,166,510 |
Language |
French, Sango |
Currency |
Central African Franco (CFA) |
Time zone |
The same as Italy |
Area code for Italy |
0039 |
Area code from Italy |
00236 |
Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for all travellers over 9 months of age. Vaccination is recommended.
Cholera is spread by the consumption of contaminated food and water. Vaccination is recommended, especially if you intend to travel to rural areas where the disease is widespread and there is limited access to clean water.
Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by contaminated food and water, or close physical contact with an infected person, whereas Hepatitis B is transmitted by exposure to infected body fluids and blood.
Meningitis is endemic throughout the country. Pre-travel consultation to evaluate vaccination requirements is strongly recommended.
Polio is typically transmitted by contaminated food and water and can be caused by three different types of polio viruses. Infections caused by one type of virus do not protect against the others.
Infection typically occurs through contact with the saliva of an infected animal, usually caused by bites, scratches or licks near open wounds or mucous membranes (e.g. mouth, nose, eyes). The most common vectors are dogs and bats, but cases of infection in other domestic animals have also been reported.
Bacterial in origin, typhoid fever is transmitted through contaminated food and drink, especially in regions with inadequate sanitary conditions.
Tuberculosis is an airborne disease of bacterial origin. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers at risk of developing severe symptoms or coming into contact with infected individuals. It is also recommended for all travellers under the age of 16, who plan to stay in the country for more than 3 months.
Malaria is transmitted by the bites of infected mosquitos and is widespread throughout the country. As a vaccine is still not available, you must take careful precautions to avoid mosquito bites and in some cases it may be necessary to take antimalarial medication, after thorough evaluation by a qualified doctor.
These diseases are spread by the bites of infected mosquitos and there are no vaccines. Consequently, it is important to adopt careful behavioural and preventive measures.
Diseases such as Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever, Rift Valley Fever, Leishmaniasis, African trypanosomiasis and West Nile virus, are present in some parts of Central Africa. As these diseases are transmitted by insect bites and there are no vaccines, it is important to adopt careful behavioural and preventive measures.
The following vaccinations are strongly recommended as these diseases can be contracted anywhere in the world. Experts advise that you protect yourself and other travellers by making sure you are up-to-date with all of the recommended vaccinations. This will allow you to travel safely, while minimising the risk of exposure to infection.
The Central African Republic is bordered by Chad to the north, South Sudan to the east, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Congo to the south, and Cameroon to the west.
Most of the territory consists of flat or rolling plateaus of between 500 to 900 meters above sea level. The terrain is carved by watercourses and interspersed with mountain ranges, which reach their highest point in the northwest, on Gao Mountain at 1,420 meters.
The climate is equatorial in the south and tropical in the north. Humidity is high, with heavy rainfall, mainly concentrated in the two rainy seasons between May and June and October and November.