Burkina Faso

Recommended Vaccinations For Burkina Faso

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

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.

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).

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to yellow fever in this country. Proof of vaccination against yellow fever is required for all travellers aged 9 months or over.

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.

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.

Recommended Medications For Burkina Faso

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medications includes atovaquone-proguanil, mefloquine or doxycycline. Resistance to chloroquine and sufadoxime-pyrimethamine has been reported.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Burkina Faso

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Burkina Faso.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Burkina Faso through contaminated food or water.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks occur in Burkina Faso. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked or raw seafood in this country

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

Chikungunya Fever

Outbreaks of chikungunya fever may occur.

For Some Travellers

Malaria

All areas of Burkina Faso are at risk for malaria.

Schistosomiasis

**There is a risk of schistosomiasis in this country.**

African Tick Bite Fever

Sporadic cases of this disease are reported in this country.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Burkina Faso, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Burkina Faso.

Meningitis

Meningitis outbreaks may occur in Burkina Faso. Travellers who visit during the dry season (December to June) or expect to have prolonged contact with the local population are especially at risk.

Yellow Fever

There is a risk of exposure to yellow fever in this country. Proof of vaccination against yellow fever is required for all travellers aged 9 months or over.

Zika Fever

Zika fever can occur in this country.

Safety & Security in Burkina Faso

Personal Safety

Burkina Faso faces significant security challenges that directly impact personal safety. Street crime including pickpocketing, purse snatching, and theft is common in urban areas, particularly around markets and crowded spaces. The UN Circle and former Central Market areas in Ouagadougou see especially high levels of opportunistic theft. Violent crime exists but is less widespread than petty theft, though assaults and muggings occur in both Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso. Nighttime presents heightened risks across all areas. The terrorism threat is severe throughout the country. More than 7,600 people died in conflict-related violence during 2023 alone, with armed groups including JNIM and ISIS-Sahel conducting frequent attacks on security forces and civilians. Terrorists target public places such as hotels, restaurants, markets, places of worship, and government facilities. Kidnapping poses a persistent danger nationwide, especially in the Sahel and East regions, with foreign nationals viewed as specific targets. Highway banditry continues on intercity routes, though at reduced frequency compared to previous years. Business fraud schemes targeting foreigners are prevalent, particularly involving gold and antiquities transactions that demand advance payments.

Extreme Violence

Burkina Faso ranks first globally in the Global Terrorism Index for the second consecutive year, accounting for one-fifth of all terrorist deaths worldwide. Violence caused 7,522 fatalities in 2024, with 1,654 deaths occurring in the first quarter of 2025 alone. The two main terrorist organizations operating in Burkina Faso are JNIM, affiliated with al-Qaeda, and ISIS-Sahel. Both groups conduct attacks throughout the country, with violence expanding southward toward borders with Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire. Attacks target security forces, civilians, government facilities, schools, healthcare centers, and critical infrastructure including cell towers, water supplies, and bridges. Methods include improvised explosive devices, ambushes, targeted assassinations, and mass killings. Armed groups control approximately 40 to 50 percent of the country’s territory. They have besieged numerous towns, cutting off populations from food and humanitarian aid. The Barsalogho attack in August 2024 killed at least 133 civilians. Over 5,000 schools have closed due to violence, affecting more than 800,000 children. More than 424 health facilities are closed, leaving over 4 million people without accessible healthcare. The conflict has displaced over 2 million people since 2016, creating a severe humanitarian crisis. Government security forces and pro-government Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland militias have been implicated in serious abuses during counterinsurgency operations. In February 2024, military forces summarily executed at least 223 civilians including 56 children in the villages of Nondin and Soro. In March 2025, the army led and participated in the massacre of more than 130 ethnic Fulani civilians in the Boucle du Mouhoun region. These mass killings may constitute crimes against humanity. Armed groups killed 1,004 civilians in 259 attacks between January and August 2024, while military and VDP forces killed at least 1,000 civilians during the same period.

Political Unrest

Burkina Faso experienced two military coups in 2022. In January 2022, the army overthrew President Roch Kabore, citing failure to control deteriorating security. In September 2022, Captain Ibrahim Traore seized power from the first coup leader. The country is ruled by a military junta with no elected government. Elections originally scheduled for July 2024 have been postponed indefinitely. In May 2024, the junta announced it would remain in power for an additional five years. Political party activities have been suspended since September 2022. The 71-member transitional legislative assembly is unelected, and the junta rules largely by decree. A state of emergency remains in effect in eight regions: Sahel, East, Centre-Est, Centre-Nord, Nord, Boucle du Mouhoun, Hauts-Bassins, and Cascades, along with specific provinces. Under the state of emergency, security forces have expanded powers to conduct searches, restrict movement, and detain individuals. Civil rights including the right to protest and hold large gatherings may be suspended. Protests are common in Burkina Faso and can turn violent quickly. Foreign government facilities have been targeted and damaged in previous demonstrations. In January 2025, Burkina Faso withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States alongside Mali and Niger, forming the Confederation of the Sahel States. The junta has cracked down on media and dissent. Journalists, activists, and opposition members have received death threats and intimidation. The government has used conscription as punishment for critics. There are no impediments to official corruption, and the junta has used corruption charges to target critics of the regime. The political situation remains highly unstable with the possibility of further coups. A coup attempt occurred in September 2023, and additional attempts cannot be ruled out.

Areas To Avoid

Most foreign governments advise against all travel to Burkina Faso. The entire country faces significant security threats, but certain areas present extreme danger. The Sahel and East regions experience the highest threat levels for terrorism and kidnapping. These regions see frequent attacks and armed group activity. The northern provinces bordering Mali and Niger are extremely dangerous. Border areas with Mali in the Boucle du Mouhoun region face intense terrorist activity. The eastern region near the border with Niger experiences regular attacks and armed group presence. Southern border areas with Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire have seen conflict expansion in recent years, with terrorist groups increasingly active. Armed groups control up to 50 percent of Burkina Faso’s territory, particularly in northern, eastern, and some western areas. Many towns including Djibo, Sebba, and Titao have been besieged by armed groups, with populations cut off from supplies and aid. Even within Ouagadougou, the capital, specific neighborhoods carry heightened risk. The Balkuyi and Rayongo neighborhoods in Arrondissement 11 experience high crime rates, with travel discouraged particularly at night. Areas near the UN Circle and the former Central Market in Ouagadougou see elevated levels of street crime and theft. Intercity travel carries substantial danger throughout the country. Roads outside urban centers face risks from bandit attacks, improvised explosive devices, and terrorist ambushes. US government employees are prohibited from traveling outside the capital due to security concerns. Mining sites are potential targets for attacks. Places of worship and schools have been attacked by armed groups. The security situation throughout Burkina Faso could deteriorate rapidly without warning.