Mali

Recommended Vaccinations For Mali

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

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

For Some Travellers

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.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.

Meningitis Vaccine

Because this country is located in the sub-Saharan meningitis belt, vaccination against meningitis is recommended if travelling during the dry season (December to June).

Yellow Fever Vaccine

This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for all arriving travellers 1 year of age and older. For children less than one year of age, Mali does not require the vaccination. However, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the vaccination for persons 9 months of age and older if going to areas south of the Sahara Desert.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who 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 and should be vaccinated.

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.

Recommended Medications For Mali

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 Mali

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

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

Hepatitis A

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

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks occur in Mali. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked or raw seafood in this country.

Chikungunya Fever

Outbreaks of chikungunya 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)

Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Lassa Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Lassa fever through breathing in unsafe air, eating contaminated food with droppings of infected rats.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Mali through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in the country. The infection is transmitted by the bite of infected phlebotomine sandfly.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring the Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in Mali.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

There is an increased risk for travellers spending a lot of time outdoors or visiting game parks. Travellers to urban areas not at risk.

Meningitis

Meningitis outbreaks may occur in Mali. Travellers who visit during the dry season (December to June) or expect to have prolonged contact with the local population are especially at risk.

Typhoid Fever

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

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in this country.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Mali. Travellers to Mali 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.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in the Mali. Bats may also carry rabies-like viruses. 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.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in Mali 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

Yellow Fever

This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for all arriving travellers 1 year of age and older. For children less than one year of age, Mali does not require the vaccination. However, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the vaccination for persons 9 months of age and older if going to areas south of the Sahara Desert.

Malaria

All areas of Mali are at risk for malaria.

Safety & Security in Mali

Personal Safety

Due to the unstable, dangerous security situation and armed conflict, most countries advise citizens to avoid all travel to this country. There is a high risk of kidnapping, especially for Westerners. The areas in the north and border areas are particularly at risk for armed banditry. Your country’s embassy in Mali may be limited or lack the ability to provide support to citizens if needed.

Road travel can be dangerous. Night checkpoints operate from 21:00 (9 pm) until dawn. Road conditions can be bad, and drivers may not follow safe driving practices.

Extreme Violence

There is a high threat of terrorist attack in Mali, including kidnappings and bombings. If possible, avoid locations frequented by foreigners, such as crowded market or shopping areas, hotels, religious sites, and restaurants and bars. Avoid any location with poor security in place.

Political Unrest

Since the withdrawal of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and following the military takeover in neighbouring Niger in July 2023, there is a heightened risk of increased instability in Mali. Political instability persists. Inter and intra-communal security incidents are also common in many parts of the country, most notably in Mopti and Segou regions. Demonstrations take place frequently, particularly at the Independence Monument, located in Commune III, and at the Bouguiba Monument, located in Commune IV in Bamako.

Areas To Avoid

A state of emergency is currently in effect throughout Mali. Heightened security measures are in place in several parts of the country. High risk areas include the capital city of Bamako, northern Mali, as well as border areas with Côte d’Ivoire.