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Burundi,
Health
Health:
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Special Precautions |
Certificate Required |
| Yellow Fever |
Yes |
1 |
| Cholera |
Yes |
2 |
| Typhoid and Polio |
3 |
N/A |
| Malaria |
4 |
N/A |
1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas. The country is officially considered endemic for yellow fever. Travellers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country.
2: Despite WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate may still be a condition of entry to Burundi. Cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential; there was a serious outbreak in the Rumonage District in 1999, and there were several clusters of Cholera cases in 2004. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix.
3: Vaccines against poliomyelitis and typhoid are advised.
4: Malaria risk exists throughout the year, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, in the whole country. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported. The recommended prophylaxis is mefloquine.
Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Note: Visitors may be asked to show proof of vaccination against meningococcal meningitis.
Other risks: Hepatitis A and E, dysentery and typhoid fever are widespread. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Meningitis is present all year (see note above). Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present; avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools that are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Onchocerciasis (river blindness) is present, as is human trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) in certain areas. HIV/Aids is prevalent.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.
Health care: Medical insurance, including repatriation, is essential. Medical supplies are limited.
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