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West Africa

Senegal Travel Health

Reviewed by Alexander Webber, Chief Epidemiologist · Updated 2026-08

Senegal is a common gateway to West Africa and carries significant health risks including year-round malaria and mandatory yellow fever vaccination requirements. Dakar has a more developed healthcare infrastructure than much of West Africa, but care outside the capital is limited. The risk of meningococcal meningitis is elevated in the Sahel belt during the dry season. Travelers to rural areas and the Casamance region face higher exposure to vector-borne and waterborne diseases.

Food Safety: High Risk Tap Water: Unsafe Malaria Risk Present

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Vaccines for Senegal

Required for Entry

  • Yellow Fever (required for all travelers age 1 and older)

CDC Recommended

  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Typhoid
  • Meningococcal (MenACWY)
  • Rabies (for extended stays or animal exposure risk)
  • Malaria prophylaxis

Source: CDC Travelers' Health — Senegal

Malaria Risk

High risk throughout the country, including Dakar, year-round. Transmission peaks during and after the rainy season from July through November. P. falciparum is the primary species and chloroquine resistance is established. All travelers, including those staying only in Dakar, should consider chemoprophylaxis.

Food and Water Safety

High Risk Tap water: not safe to drink

Tap water is not safe to drink; use sealed bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth. Avoid raw or undercooked shellfish, street food from unlicensed vendors, and unpeeled raw produce. Travelers' diarrhea is very common. Avoid freshwater contact in rivers and lakes due to schistosomiasis risk.

Key Health Tips for Senegal

  • Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for entry; carry your International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card) at all times.
  • Take malaria chemoprophylaxis throughout your stay, including in Dakar, and use permethrin-treated clothing and DEET repellent.
  • Get meningococcal MenACWY vaccine before travel, particularly if visiting during the dry season (December to June) or traveling to northern Sahel areas.
  • Avoid swimming or wading in rivers, lakes, or irrigation canals due to schistosomiasis risk; ocean swimming is generally safe.

Disease Risks in Senegal

Official Resources

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