Burkina Faso

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Malaria affects the whole country; strains are mildly resistant to chloroquine (zone 2).
• Cases of yellow fever occur regularly; the risk is higher in rural areas and in the Poni province.
• AIDS is highly prevalent.
• The country was affected by the avian flu epizootic in 2006.
• Burkina Faso is regularly affected by serious outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis, especially in Ouagadougou. The risk is higher during the dry season, between November and June.
• Cases of trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) may arise, notably in the Banfora and Bobo Dioulasso areas, west of Ouagadougou.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country.
• Diarrheic diseases, including cholera, 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 travellers entering the country are required to present a certificate of immunization against yellow fever.
Systematically:
• 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.
• Rabies: recommended for long stays in isolation. The immunization should be given to children as soon as they are able to walk.
• Meningococcal meningitis (A-C-Y-W135 vaccine): for long stays or in case of close contacts with local population in an epidemic area, particularly between November and June. The immunization is available for children at least 2 years old.
• 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 against malaria: chloroquine and proguanil (commercial name: Savarine) or proguanil and atovaquone (commercial name: Malarone).

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

Ouagadougou
• Polyclinique Notre-Dame de la Paix (behind Hotel Silmande): phone + 226 35 61 55
• Polyclinique du Centre, downtown, south of the grand marché: phone + 226 31 37 78
• Socio-Medical Center of the French Embassy, Nazi Boni Street: phone + 226 50 30 66 07
• Clinique les Flamboyants: phone + 226 50 30 76 00
• Clinique les Genets: phone + 226 50 37 43 80 to 83 or + 226 78 88 38 88
• Clinique El Fateh Suka: phone + 226 50 43 06 00 to 01
• Clinique de l'Est: phone + 226 50 36 66 74



Bobo Dioulasso
• Sanou Souro Hospital: phone + 226 20 97 00 44/45/47

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 18
• Police: 17
• Ambulances: 18

CLIMATE

• The country belongs to the tropical Sudanese zone, except for the north which is a Sahelian area. There are two seasons: the dry season, which lasts 8 months, and the rainy season, from mid-June to mid-October.
• The warmest months are March, April and May, when temperatures always stand above 40°C.
• From November to February, the harmattan, a refreshing but dry wind coming from the north, is blowing. It is a nice and temperate period: temperatures range between 25 and 30°C, with some coolness in the evening.
• When to go: between November and February.