French Guiana Health for Visitors

Access to quality medical care is limited and hospital facilities are available only in urban areas. Medical staff may speak little or no English.

There are public and private healthcare providers, including hospitals and clinics. Before admitting a patient, hospitals, and clinics may require an upfront payment.

Kourou has a modern hospital (The Kourou Hospital Center) with a 24-hour emergency service.

The Centre Hospitalier Andrée Rosemon in Cayenne has intensive care and trauma units.

In St. Laurent, the Centre Hospitalier de l’Ouest Guyanais provides a comprehensive range of medical services, including primary health care and specialty services.

Ambulance services are not widely available or reliable.

The cost of medical evacuation is high. In the event of a serious illness or injury, medical evacuation will likely be required.

Make sure you have adequate travel insurance.

Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

French Guiana is considered a yellow-fever-infected area. Vaccination against yellow-fever is mandatory for all arriving travellers aged 1 year or over. This vaccine is valid for life and must be administered at least 10 days prior to arrival in French Guiana.

Be sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before your trip.

Vaccinations against hepatitis A and B, as well as typhoid, are recommended.

Food and Water Concerns

Water is fine in bigger towns; drink bottled or boiled water elsewhere.

Mosquito-borne Diseases

The CDC recommends that travelers to some parts of French Guiana take malaria prevention medication.

The risk of dengue fever exists across French Guiana year-round. Practice your usual precautions.

There is a risk of the Zika virus in this country.

Because of the pregnancy risks, travelers should consult the CDC Travelers’ Health website for the most current recommendations for Zika.

Prevention:

• Use a repellent containing 20%-30% DEET or 20% Picaridin on exposed skin. Re-apply according to the manufacturer’s directions.
• Wear neutral-colored (beige, light grey) long-sleeved clothing.
• Pre-soak or spray the outer layer of clothing and gear with permethrin.
• Ensure that the hatch and window screens work properly.

Other Diseases

Cases of Oropouche virus (OROV) disease have been reported. Transmission of OROV occurs in forested areas between mosquitoes and non-human vertebrate hosts (e.g., sloths, non-human primates, domestic and wild birds, and rodents). Humans can become infected while visiting forested areas and are likely responsible for introducing the virus into urban environments.

Prescription Drugs

Prescription and over-the-counter medications are available in larger city pharmacies, but U.S. brands may not be.

Emergency Numbers

See Emergencies.

Useful links:

• Regional Health Agency (ARS)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Last updated: October 2024

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