Burundi

Recommended Vaccinations For Burundi

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Polio Vaccine

Travellers who intend to visit this country for 4 weeks or more are recommended to take a polio vaccination at least 4 weeks to 12 months prior to arrival in the country. Unvaccinated travellers may have to take the vaccine upon arrival at the entry ports. Childhood vaccinations, including polio, should be up-to-date prior to travel.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Rabies Vaccine

Pre-travel vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) since they may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Persons with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers **9 months** of age or older.

Recommended Medications For Burundi

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medications include atovaquone-proguanil, mefloquine or doxycycline. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxime-pyrimethamine has been reported.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Burundi

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Burundi through contaminated food or water.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Burundi.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks occur in Burundi. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or visiting remote areas.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

For Some Travellers

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Sporadic outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) may occur in this country. Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in this country through specific insect, bug or tick bites or by coming in close contact with a person or animal infected with this disease. Travellers involved in activities like hiking, camping, working with animals, and visiting farms and forested areas are at a higher risk. There are no vaccinations (or medications) to prevent Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis occurs in this country. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in this country. Ticks that cause this disease are usually most active from November through April. Travellers engaging in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and game hunting in wooded, brushy, or grassy areas may be at a higher risk.

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Polio

Vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 was detected in this country, with the potential risk of global circulation. Unvaccinated or under-vaccinated travellers are at a higher risk if they come in direct contact with an infected person or through contaminated food and water, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas with poor hygiene standards.

Zika Fever

Sporadic cases of this disease may occur in this country.

Meningitis

Burundi lies within the sub-Saharan meningitis belt. Sporadic cases and outbreaks of this disease may occur in this country.

Malaria

All areas of Burundi are at risk for malaria.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Burundi. Travellers to Burundi are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Burundi, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Yellow Fever

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in all areas of this country. This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 9 months of age or older.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in Burundi and is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Burundi. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Burundi

Personal Safety

There is a high risk of petty crime such as pickpocketing, purse snatching, etc. in Burundi. Be particularly careful when withdrawing money from ATMs. There are high levels of serious crime in Burundi such as carjackings, robbery, muggings, and burglaries. Armed groups are reported operating in Burundi, and violence and use of weapons are common.

Avoid public transportation and taxis. If hiring a taxi is necessary, attempt to get a “recommended” taxi.

Exercise extreme caution when driving. Roads are not well maintained and are not well marked or lit. Keep doors locked and do not stop if flagged down by pedestrians. Avoid travelling at night due to the unpredictable security situation, the risk of robbery, and poor road conditions throughout Burundi. Some countries advise against all overland travel outside Bujumbura. Do not use public transportation. Always travel with a convoy of vehicles.

The presence of landmines may put the traveller at high risk.

All travellers must register their visit to Burundi with the police in Bujumbura.

Same-sex relations are illegal in Burundi.

Extreme Violence

There is a high risk of terrorism in Burundi and extreme violence occurs frequently in Bujumbura.

Political Unrest

There is a high level of civil unrest and political tension in Burundi. To minimize safety risk, always avoid public gatherings or demonstrations.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid travel to the following regions due to the unpredictable security situation, including the risk of kidnapping, armed violence and robbery, and/or cross-border armed clashes between rebel groups and government forces:

1. Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces,

2. the former Central Market located on Chaussee Prince Louis Rwagasore in Bujumbura,

3. areas of Bujumbura Rural province west of the Rusizi River towards the Democratic Republic of Congo border, with the exception of the Rusizi Delta Nature Reserve,

4. the road north of Bujumbura airport towards Cibitoke, and

5. Kibira National Park