Travel Health Advisory
Dakar, Senegal
Source Authority
CDC Travelers' Health
Vaccines and Medicines
Expert VerifiedCOVID-19
All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.
Chikungunya
All travelers should take steps to prevent mosquito bites. Chikungunya vaccination is generally not recommended. Travelers who wish to consider vaccination can visit “What to consider before traveling” on thechikungunya vaccinespage to learn more.
Hepatitis A
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Senegal.Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.Travelers allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, are immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.
Hepatitis B
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to Senegal.
Malaria
CDC recommends that travelers going to Senegal take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.Transmission areasAllDrug resistanceChloroquineSpeciesP. falciparum(primarily)P. malariae,P. ovale, andP. vivax(less commonly)Recommended chemoprophylaxisAtovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine2Updated April 23, 2025See footnotes
Measles
Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according toCDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Meningococcal disease
Recommended for travelers 2 months old or older traveling toareas of Senegalthat are part of the meningitis belt during the dry season (roughly December to June).
Polio
In Senegal poliovirus has been identified in the past year.Travelers to Senegal are at increased risk of exposure to poliovirus.Vaccine recommendations: Adults traveling to Senegal who received a complete polio vaccination series as children may receive a single lifetime booster dose of inactivated polio vaccine; travelers who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated should receive a complete polio vaccination series before travel. Children who are not fully vaccinated will be considered for anaccelerated vaccination schedule.
Rabies
Dogs infected with rabies are commonly found in Senegal.If rabies exposures occur while in Senegal, rabies vaccines may only be available in larger suburban/urban medical facilities.Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.For more information, seecountry rabies status assessments.
Typhoid
Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.
Yellow Fever
CDC recommendations:Vaccine isrecommendedfor all travelers ≥9 months old.Country entry requirements:Direct travel from United States: Vaccine isnotrequired.Travel from countries with risk for YF virus transmission: Vaccine isrequiredfor travelers ≥9 months old; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission.3Updated April 23, 2025See footnotes
Non-Vaccine Diseases
Leptospirosis
Avoid contaminated water and soilAvoid floodwater
Schistosomiasis
Avoid contaminated water
African Tick-Bite Fever
Avoid bug bites
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever
Avoid bug bites
Dengue
Avoid bug bites
Leishmaniasis
Avoid bug bites
Zika
Avoid bug bites
Rift Valley Fever
Avoid animalsAvoid bug bites
Hantavirus
Avoid rodents and areas where they liveAvoid sick people
Tuberculosis (TB)
Avoid sick people
General Travel Advice
- Be up to date on routine vaccinations.
- See a doctor 4-6 weeks before travel.
- Carry a small first-aid kit.
"The information on this page is for general awareness. Please seek professional medical help for your specific travel needs."