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Senegal

West Africa · Tropical / Sahel

A West African country with year-round malaria (higher in the south and rainy season) and endemic yellow fever (vaccination required). Dengue also occurs.

Vaccines

VaccineRecommendationReference
Routine vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip — per the Swiss BAG schedule. These include:

BAG Impfplan
Hepatitis A

Recommended for all travelers.

CDC Yellow Book
Hepatitis B

Consider per individual risk and stay duration.

CDC Yellow Book
Meningococcal

Consider for long-term stays during the dry season (December–June), especially in northern Senegal.

CDC Yellow Book
Rabies

For long stays, rural travel, occupational animal contact, or activities like cycling and hiking.

CDC Yellow Book
Typhoid

Recommended; risk of foodborne and waterborne illness is significant.

CDC Yellow Book
Yellow fever

Recommended for all travelers — Senegal is in the WHO yellow fever endemic zone. Vaccination is also widely required at the country borders for onward travel.

CDC Yellow Book

Disease-specific guidance

Malaria

High

High year-round risk in the southern and eastern half of the country (south of The Gambia and in Matam in the northeast). Seasonal risk (June–December) in the north and northwest, including the coast north of Delta du Saloum National Park. Chemoprophylaxis recommended for most itineraries; insect-bite protection essential everywhere.

High risk
South & east, year-round
Seasonal
North/NW: high Jun–Dec, moderate Jan–May
Species
P. falciparum (predominant)

Yellow fever

High

Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travelers ≥9 months old (no contraindication). Senegal is in the WHO endemic zone; vaccination certificate is widely accepted as required for entry from neighboring countries.

Yellow fever vaccine recommendation areas in Africa (CDC).

General prevention

Food & water

Use bottled or treated water and eat thoroughly cooked food. Resort areas (Saly, Cap Skirring) have safer food but precautions still apply elsewhere.

Mosquito protection

Aggressive mosquito-bite prevention is essential — malaria risk is high year-round country-wide. Meningococcal disease risk during the dry season (December–June).

Sources

Based on CDC Travelers’ Health, CDC Yellow Book, and the Swiss Federal Vaccination Schedule (BAG). Always verify current recommendations before travel.

Visiting more than one country?

Build a combined itinerary and get merged recommendations across all destinations.

Plan an itinerary

This brief is for informational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice.
Consult a travel medicine specialist 4–8 weeks before departure.