Benin

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• The whole country is affected by malaria all year long and strains are highly resistant to chloroquine (zone 3). Impact varies according to the area. Mosquito nets are easily available, as well as impregnation solutions such as K-Othrine.
• Cases of meningitis are regularly reported in the north of the country during the dry season, from December to March.
• Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.
• HIV is highly prevalent.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country.
• Diarrheic diseases are common.

FOOD SAFETY

• Gastric diseases are common among tourists who are not accustomed to local food or who do not take precautions.
• Do not drink tap water and favor bottled mineral water, without ice ; avoid eating ice cream and sherbet.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked dishes, especially meat or fish. If possible, order hot dishes.
• Bring anti-diarrhea medication with you.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before each meal.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION

• All travelers entering the country are required to present a certificate of immunization against yellow fever.
Systematically:
• Yellow fever: compulsory; available for children at least 6 months old.
• Hepatitis A: the vaccination is available for children at least one year old. For persons who were born before 1945, who have spent their childhood in a developing country or who have had an icterus, it may prove useful to search previously for serous antibodies in order to avoid an unnecessary shot.
• Hepatitis B: the vaccination is available for children at least two months old.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis: get a booster shot before leaving if your last shot is more than ten years old.



Depending on the duration and conditions of the trip:
• Typhoid fever: if the stay is occurring in precarious hygiene condition. The immunization is available for children at least 2 years old.
• Neisseria meningitidis meningitis: for long stays or in case of close contacts with local population in an epidemic area. The immunization is available for children at least 2 years old. Each year, nothern Benin is affected by epidemics of bacterial meningitis, especially during the dry season (from December to March), which concerned the Sahel area. Travellers are highly recommended to get immunized (anti-meningococcal vaccine A and B), particularly when travelling in the district of Atacora and Borgou.
• Rabies: recommended for long stays in isolation. The immunization should be given to children as soon as they are able to walk.
• Tuberculosis: in case of a long stay, it is recommended to have children immunized against tuberculosis as soon as they reach the age of one month, and against mumps, measles and rubella when they reach the age of nine months.
• Recommended chemoprophylaxis: mefloquine (commercial name: Lariam) or doxycycline (commercial name: Doxypalu).

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

Cotonou
• Clinique polyvalente Mahouna, Anne Hekpazo, 01 BP 2163, Cotonou: phone + 229 30 14 35, fax + 229 30 42 58
• Clinique Atinkanmey, 03 BP 3448, Cotonou: phone + 229 31 22 76, fax + 229 31 22 78
• Polyclinique les Cocotiers, Ali Assani, 04 BP 1227, Cotonou: phone + 229 30 16 81, fax + 229 30 12 76
• Centre national hospitalier universitaire (CNHU) Hubert Maga, 01 BP 386, Cotonou: phone + 229 30 01 53 or + 229 30 14 78, fax + 229 30 16 63



Porto Novo
• Clinique Louis Pasteur, 01 BP 165, Porto Novo: phone + 229 21 22 22



Tanguiéta
• Hôpital Saint Jean de Dieu, Tanguiéta: phone + 229 21 83 00 11, + 229 21 83 00 10 or + 229 21 83 00 36

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 18
• Police: 17
• Ambulances: + 229 21 30 17 60 or + 229 21 30 06 56
• SAMU: + 229 21 30 73 36

CLIMATE

• In the south of the country, the climate is equatorial, with a high rate of humidity. The dry season goes from November to March and from mid-July to mid-September. The rainy season goes from April to mid-July and from mid-September to October.
• In the north, the climate is tropical. The dry season goes from November to May and the rainy season from June to September.
• Whereas heat is bearable on the littoral, temperatures often reach 40°C in northern Benin, with a dry air and cooler nights.
• The harmattan, a burning and dusty wind, blows in the desert during the dry season.
• When to go: between November and March.