Risk / Health Info for Benin

Do I need inoculations for Benin?

The vaccines recommended for Benin are listed on this page, and Global Travel Clinics can help you work out what vaccines you need.

Consider hepatitis A vaccine to protect against this food-borne virus; and one for typhoid will help you avoid a nasty GI illness.

Some travellers should consider a hepatitis B vaccine. These include children, frequent and long-stay travellers as well as those who will be working in a healthcare setting, including dentistry or in a lab that handles bodily fluids. Hep B is also contracted through recreational intravenous drug use, and unprotected sex. Another infection route is invasive medical or cosmetic procedures. Talk with your healthcare advisor to find out if you are at risk of being exposed to hepatitis B.

Do you need a yellow fever certificate to go to Benin? The answer is yes. The yellow fever vaccine gives lifelong immunity and your certificate is proof of this. Keep the certificate safe and you will never need to get another yellow fever vaccination.

What diseases could I catch in Benin?

Cholera outbreaks occur in Benin and you should check for up-to-date advice before you travel, for example from the World Health Organisation. A vaccine is available for cholera.

Outbreaks of tuberculosis also occur in Benin, and you should consider getting vaccinated against meningitis before you travel.

Cases of Lassa fever, an acute viral hemorrhagic illness, have occurred recently in Benin. Lassa fever is transmitted person-to-person or picked up from rodent urine or feces.

According to the 2014 UNAIDS Report about 1.1% of the adult population in Benin is living with HIV (the Canadian prevalence is 0.25%). Avoid HIV by practising safer sex, avoiding intravenous drug use and avoiding invasive medical or cosmetic procedures. Travellers may also consider getting vaccinated against hepatitis B.

What medical facilities are there in Benin?

Emergency medical facilities are not common in Benin and in rural areas there may be no healthcare facilities at all. You may need to be evacuated if your healthcare needs are complex so travel insurance is a must.

Malaria in Benin

Malaria prophylaxis will be required for some parts of Benin at certain times of year. There is no malaria vaccine, but there are anti-malaria drugs that should be taken before, during and after travelling to certain at-risk countries. Speak with your healthcare provider six weeks before your trip, as not all prophylaxis regimes are appropriate for all regions and all individuals.

Schistosomiasis in Benin

The schistosomiasis parasite enters humans through the skin during contact with fresh water. To prevent infection, avoid swimming or paddling in lakes and streams in Benin. This condition is also known as bilharzia.