U.S. Issues Travel Warning for This Island Chain Over Health Care and Safety Concerns

The U.S. Department of State is warning travelers over potential health worries before visiting an island chain in the Indian Ocean.

The advisory, which is listed as a Level 2 warning, was re-issued for the country of Comoros with health as a concern. The State Department warns healthcare is limited in the country’s capital of Moroni and “very limited in rural areas.”

“Medical care in rural areas often requires transportation to Moroni,” the department stated in the advisory. “Medical evacuation from Comoros is often needed for significant injuries and illnesses.”

The department added travelers who do choose to visit Comoros should purchase medical evacuation insurance, carry prescription medication in its original packaging in addition to the doctor’s prescription, and bring enough medication (both prescription and over-the-counter) to last the entire trip. In addition, visitors should also have an evacuation plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.

Beyond health issues, the State Department also warns of petty crime, reports of piracy, and spontaneous protests in the country.

For its part, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classified Comoros under its lowest Level 1 notice, but did include the country in a global measles warning. The CDC recommended all international travelers be fully vaccinated with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and added travelers heading to Comoros receive vaccinations or take preventative medication to protect against diseases including Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, and Typhoid.

Located off the eastern coast of Africa between Madagascar and Mozambique, Comoros is known as the “perfumed islands,” according to Britannica. And on social media, travelers have noted the islands’ incredible natural beauty. 

“Lots of places feel really untouched and out of this world,” one traveler wrote about the country in a Reddit post last year, adding they ran into “very few tourists and the ones you meet are usually very-well travelled people.”

Another traveler recognized Comoros in the post as having some of the “best diving in the world” complete with the chance to spot humpback whales, sharks, turtles, and more.

Beyond Comoros, the State Department issues travel advisories for countries and destinations around the world ranging from its lowest Level 1 warning to its highest Level 4, which comes with a recommendation not to travel there. The department also recommends all international travelers enroll in the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which allows officials to more easily contact travelers in an emergency.