Health

Before you leave

• See your doctor or an international vaccination centre well before departure.

  Practical advice·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, health

• Depending on your stay: hepatitis A and B, typhoid, meningitis ACWY in the dry season or during an outbreak, rabies in particular. Your doctor will decide.

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  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, healthCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: Senegal

• Malaria is present. Protect against bites and take preventive treatment as advised by a doctor; any fever requires prompt medical attention.

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  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, healthCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: Senegal

• Yellow fever: the international vaccination certificate is required on entry for travellers aged 9 months or older coming from a country with risk of transmission, including after a stopover of more than 12 hours in such a country. The CDC recommends this vaccine for all travellers aged 9 months or older. Rules change: check them before departure and talk to a doctor or an international vaccination centre.

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  CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: Senegal

• Malaria: according to the CDC, it is present throughout the country. The CDC recommends prescription preventive medicine for travellers to these areas: talk to a doctor before departure, and protect yourself from mosquito bites.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: Senegal

Risks on the ground

• A diphtheria outbreak affects 24 districts in 11 regions, mainly Kédougou, Dakar and Thiès (Health Ministry statement of 4 September). Make sure your vaccination (DTaP) is up to date and seek care immediately for fever, cough or difficulty swallowing or breathing.

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  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, latest news and alerts

Insurance and care

• Insurance covering care, repatriation and assistance is essential: medical facilities are inadequate outside major centres.

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  SPF Affaires étrangères (Belgium), Senegal: practical informationFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, health

• The Institut Pasteur in Dakar is the reference centre for rabies and yellow fever vaccinations.

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  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, useful contacts

Emergency numbers

• Ambulance (SAMU) 15, fire 18, police 17. The UK advises 123 (gendarmerie) in the countryside. SOS Médecin: +221 33 889 15 15.

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  GOV.UK (FCDO), Senegal travel advice: getting helpGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: SenegalFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, useful contacts

• Emergency numbers

  Ambulance 15, fire 18, police and gendarmerie 17, national gendarmerie +221 800 00 20 20.

  151718+221 800 00 20 20

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, useful contactsGOV.UK (FCDO), Senegal travel advice: getting help· Oct 2, 2026

• SOS Médecin

  Home-visit doctors, Dakar.

  +221 33 889 15 15

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Hôpital Principal de Dakar

  Hospital.

  +221 33 839 50 50

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Hôpital Aristide Le Dantec

  University hospital.

  +221 33 889 38 00

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Clinique de la Madeleine

  Private clinic.

  +221 33 889 94 70

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Clinique Casahous

  Private clinic.

  +221 33 889 72 00

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Clinique du Cap

  Private clinic.

  +221 33 889 02 02

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Institut Pasteur de Dakar

  Reference centre for rabies and yellow fever vaccines.

  36, avenue Pasteur, BP 220, Dakar+221 33 839 92 00

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026