Burkino Faso

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* The Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers over 1 year of age.  Please click on the disease name above for more information.

Other vaccine preventable risks

The following vaccinations may be considered depending on your itinerary and planned activities. These can be discussed in more detail with one of our travel health consultants. 

Hepatitis B

Meningitis (ACWY)

Rabies

Tuberculosis

Cholera

Malaria risk

Malaria Risk is present at all times throughout the country. Malaria tablets are strongly advised. These can be discussed in detail with one of our travel health consultants.

Non-vaccine preventable risks

• Travellers' Diarrhoea  is usually caused by eating contaminated food or drinking unsafe water.  Symptoms may be severe with frequent watery stools, thirst, dry mouth and tongue, headache and weakness. Water should always be treated when there is doubt about its cleanliness. Food that may be contaminated must be thoroughly cooked and hands washed prior to eating.

• HIV infection is spread through sexual intercourse or infected blood or blood products (e.g. through blood transfusions or the use of blood contaminated instruments such as intravenous needles). 

• Leptospirosis is spread through the faeces of infected rodents especially rats. It is unusual for travellers to be affected unless living in poor sanitary conditions.

• Schistomiasis (Bilharzia) is spread through the fresh water snail. The larvae produced by the snails can swim and seek out human skin and find their way into the bladder and intestine. Symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, blood in urine and stools.  Paddling or swimming in suspect fresh water lakes or slow running rivers should be avoided.

• Dengue Fever, which is often referred to as break-bone fever, is spread through the bite of the mosquito. It causes a feverish illness with headache and muscle pains like a bad, prolonged, attack of influenza. A rash can also develop. It is becoming more common in many parts of the world. Mosquito bites should be avoided whenever possible. 

• Onchocerciasis (river blindness) is spread through the bite of a small black fly which breeds in fast flowing water. It can cause a skin rash with intense itching which usually occurring months or years later post exposure. Occasionally the eye can be affected. Camping near rivers should be avoided and precautions taken against bites. 

• Filariasis (Bancrofti) is spread through the bite of the mosquito. It can cause fever and skin inflammation. Later swelling of the legs, arms or genitalia may develop but usually only after repeated infections. It is not usually a problem for the short-term traveller staying in good accommodation. Mosquito bites should be avoided whenever possible.

• Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping sickness) is spread through the tsetse fly found south of the Sahara and north of the Zambesi river.  A simple boil like reaction may occur at the site of the bite, followed by generalised rash, fever and progressive neurological symptoms.  Travellers to these areas should be aware of the risk and avoid contact with infected flies where possible.

• Chikungunya fever is spread through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.  Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, severe joint pain &/or a generalised rash.  Precautions must be taken to prevent mosquito bites, as there is no vaccine available against Chikungunya fever.