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Travel health

Africa Benin

Population
10,872,000
Capital
Porto-Novo
Currency
West African CFA franc (XOF)
Language(s)
French

During your stay

Once there, stay alert as you could be exposed to other diseases for which no vaccines or preventive treatments are available.

Dengue
Dengue fever may be present in this country. To avoid infection, mosquito protection is recommended.
Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis is present in certain regions of the country. Avoid all contact with fresh water (swimming, fishing, drinking untreated water).
Zika Virus
Mosquitoes capable of transmitting the virus are present. Mosquito protection can prevent transmission of the Zika virus.

Assistance abroad

It is recommended that travellers purchase a travel insurance policy that includes a 24-hour emergency assistance service to help them access care and coordinate payment. Be sureto have your insurance company’s phone number with you at all times.

It is also recommended that you sign up for the “Registration of Canadians Abroad” service. This is a free service that allows the Government of Canada to notify you in case ofan emergency abroad or at home. The service also enables you to receive important information before or during a natural disaster or civil unrest. For more information, visit theGovernment of Canada website at:travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration.

The Canadian Government has several offices abroad that can provide you with various services when faced with a medical emergency, including:

  • Providing you with names of doctors and health care facilities.
  • Visiting you in the hospital and providing translation/interpretation services.
  • Arranging for a medical evacuation if you require treatment that is not available in the area (note: costs for this service will not be covered by the government but areusually covered by your travel insurance).

If you need any help while travelling, contact:

Emergency services

In case of emergency, dial:
Police
117
Medical assistance
+229 21 30 17 69 or +229 21 30 06 56
Firefighters
118

Consular services

Cotonou - Office of the Embassy of Canada
  • 360 Rue, Boulevard de la Marina, DIBOUSSE building, Ground floor, South-East side
Ouagadougou - Embassy of Canada
  • 318 Professeur Joseph KIZERBO avenue, Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
  • +226 25 49 08 00
  • +226 25 49 08 10
  • ouaga-cs@international.gc.ca

Make sure that your passport is valid for the entire duration of your stay. Several countries also require travelers’ passports to be valid up to six months beyond the expectedreturn date.

Recommended vaccines

Below is a list of immunizations (vaccines) and screenings recommended or required by local health authorities for Canadians travelling to this destination. Note that these aregeneral recommendations. For a personalized protection program adapted to your travelling and health needs, visit a Travel Health Clinic. If you need several vaccines, plan aheadand give yourself several weeks to complete the immunization schedule.

General vaccination and immunization
Vaccines, including diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis and measles are part of Canada's routine immunization schedule. Check to make sure that you have been vaccinated and that you have received the required booster doses. Special recommendations may apply to poliomyelitis, refer to the specialized agencies.
Hepatitis A
Vaccination is recommended for most travellers.
Hepatitis B
Vaccination is recommended for most travellers.
Malaria
Malaria is present throughout the country. Consequently, prophylaxis is recommended for the entire country. Drugs of choice are: atovaquone proguanil, doxycycline, and mefloquine. Also, mosquito protection may lower the risk of contracting mosquito-borne infections such as malaria.
Meningitis
Vaccination is recommended for most travellers. A vaccination certificate may be required.
Rabies
Vaccination is recommended for certain groups of travellers only. This includes people who will work there as veterinarians, wildlife workers or spelunkers, as well as adventure travellers.
Typhoid fever
Most travellers should consider vaccination. Transmission occurs via the fecal-oral route, especially through the ingestion of contaminated food or water.
Yellow fever
A vaccination certificate may be required for certain travellers. Vaccination may be recommended for certain travellers.
The information contained on the familiprix.com site is for informational purposes only and does not in any way replace the advice and advice of your pharmacist or any other health professional. Always consult a health professional before taking or discontinuing medication or making any other decision. Familiprix inc. and proprietary pharmacists affiliated with Familiprix do not engage in any way by making this information available on this website.