Senegal

Recommended Vaccinations For Senegal

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. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

For Some Travellers

Polio Vaccine

A single lifetime booster dose of Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) is recommended for adults who received the routine polio vaccination series as children

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

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 transmission of yellow fever throughout Senegal. Senegal requires all international passengers to show proof of yellow fever vaccination. Travellers arriving without a yellow fever vaccination certificate will be required to receive the vaccination for yellow fever at the airport.

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

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those 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 Senegal

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Senegal

For Most Travellers

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks have occurred in Senegal. Severe dengue is rare in travelers.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Senegal.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya is a viral disease that occurs in Senegal. Outbreaks of this disease usually occur during the tropical rainy season, however, outbreaks can occur during the dry season as well.

Hepatitis A

There is a high risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Senegal through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Cholera

Cholera may occur in Senegal.

For Some Travellers

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Senegal through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in Senegal.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

African Tick Bite Fever

There is an increased risk of this disease in this country.

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis (“sleeping sickness”) occurs in this country. Symptoms include fatigue, high fever, headaches, and muscle aches. If not treated, the disease can cause death.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Schistosomiasis

The parasite that causes schistosomiasis is found in the country. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Polio

There is a risk of acquiring Polio in the country and is transmitted from one person to another when droplets from a sneeze or cough of an infected person gets into the mouth of another person.

Malaria

All areas are at risk for exposure to malaria.

Meningitis

Meningitis occurs in Senegal. Travellers who visit during the dry season or expect to have prolonged contact with the local population are especially at risk.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Senegal are at risk for tuberculosis, including multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, if visiting friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Yellow Fever

There is a risk of transmission of yellow fever throughout Senegal. Senegal requires all international passengers to show proof of yellow fever vaccination. Travellers arriving without a yellow fever vaccination certificate will be required to receive the vaccination for yellow fever at the airport.

Zika Fever

Zika fever may occur in this country.

Typhoid Fever

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

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis occurs in Senegal, especially in the northwest, and is usually more common in rural than urban areas. The risk of acquiring leishmaniasis is very low, however, the risk is increased in travellers who spend time outdoors in rural areas and at night, when sand flies typically feed.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Senegal

Personal Safety

Petty crime like pickpocketing and bag snatching occurs regularly in Dakar, especially in crowded areas such as Place de l’Indépendance, Western Corniche, La Petite Corniche restaurant district, and the Plateau area. Cases of robbery, burglary, and assault have become more common in the capital, with some incidents involving weapons. Hotels frequented by foreign nationals have been targeted and robbed at gunpoint. Street vendors can be persistent and occasionally aggressive, particularly around tourist sites. You face a risk of overcharging from unlicensed taxi drivers, especially at the airport. Arrange airport transport through your accommodation in advance. Crime remains relatively low outside Dakar, though beach areas like Lac Rose can present risks at night on isolated beaches. Bandits operate on major highways after dark, particularly on roads between Ndioum and Kidira and between Kidira and Tambacounda in the central and eastern regions. Avoid highway travel after dark. Fraud schemes targeting foreigners are common, including romance scams, business proposals, and fake job offers requesting payment for visa processing. Bogus taxi drivers may pretend to know you and overcharge for journeys. Carry your passport or passport card at all times, as Senegalese law requires valid identification. Authorities may detain anyone who fails to cooperate and provide documentation.

Extreme Violence

Senegal has not recorded any terrorist attacks within its borders, but the government considers terrorism a top security threat. Terrorist groups, including Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) and Islamic State Sahel Province, operate in neighbouring Mali and have carried out attacks close to the Senegalese border in the Kayes Region of Mali, within 40 miles of Senegal. The risk stems from instability in the Sahel region, particularly Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Chad, and Burkina Faso. Border areas are vulnerable due to porous borders that are not tightly controlled. Terrorist activity could spill across into Senegal’s eastern border regions near Mali. There is a threat of kidnapping in border areas, with British nationals, tourists, humanitarian workers, journalists, and business travellers seen as legitimate targets. The separatist Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) has historically operated in the southern Casamance region, though violent clashes have diminished. Armed bandits sporadically commit armed robbery in Casamance, and the region also suffers from landmines left from prior conflicts. Since 1990, more than 1,000 people have been killed by landmines in Casamance. Landmines remain a concern in remote areas off main roads, particularly along the Guinea-Bissau border. Stick to well-travelled routes and paved roads to significantly reduce risk.

Political Unrest

Political protests and demonstrations are common in Senegal, particularly near government buildings and public areas. Between 2021 and 2024, protests triggered by the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko turned violent, resulting in at least 65 deaths and over 1,000 injuries. In June 2023, at least 23 people died during protests following Sonko’s conviction. In February 2024, protests erupted after President Macky Sall postponed presidential elections, leading to at least three deaths. Security forces have used excessive force, including live ammunition and tear gas. Rioting can occur across several neighbourhoods in Dakar and other cities. Protests sometimes block major roads, including the route between Blaise Diagne International Airport and Dakar. Mobile internet and social media access (including Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter) may be suspended during periods of unrest without notice. Foreign nationals have been prosecuted for attending protests not approved by the government. Demonstrations often occur on Friday afternoons and can escalate quickly. Avoid all political gatherings and street demonstrations. Monitor local media for information about upcoming protests. If protests begin, stock up on food, water, and fuel if you are in Dakar or another major city. If in doubt about where protests are taking place or the safety level of an area, stay in your accommodation.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid the Casamance region of southern Senegal west of Kolda, except for direct air or sea travel to Cap Skirring resort and the main road between Cap Skirring and Ziguinchor. Armed bandits and separatist groups operate sporadically in this volatile area. Conflict between MFDC rebels and government forces continues, and civilians are targets of opportunity for rebels and bandits. Landmines from decades of conflict remain a serious concern throughout Casamance, particularly in remote areas off main roads and along the Guinea-Bissau border. Roads are often closed at night, and areas near the Gambian border are particularly dangerous. Exercise increased caution near the eastern border with Mali, particularly in Tambacounda and Kédougou regions bordering Mali’s Kayes region. Terrorist groups from Mali have increased attacks near the border, creating security pressure. Avoid non-essential travel to remote border areas with Mali and Mauritania due to terrorism and kidnapping risks. Officials may ask for payments at the Mauritania border crossing. Banditry occurs regularly on National Road 2 (RN2) between Ndioum and Kidira and on RN1 between Kidira and Tambacounda, particularly after dark. Lac Rose (Pink Lake) tourist area can be dangerous at night on isolated beaches. Travel in this area with others rather than alone. US government employees are prohibited from travelling after dark anywhere in Casamance and must coordinate travel with security officials, often requiring travel in convoys.