Mali

General Map

Medical Summary

The health risk information presented here is summarized from Shoreland Travax^®, a decision-support tool used by health care providers to perform a detailed health risk analysis based on specific locations, individual travel styles, and traveler risk behaviors. Travax provides practitioners current, independently researched malaria risk and prevention recommendations in a map-based format that goes beyond the annual WHO and US CDC statements included here. Not included here are current reports from Travax of disease outbreaks or environmental events that may pose elevated risks to travelers’ health and safety. The Providers section of this site offers a directory of health care providers who utilize Shoreland Travax for travel health counseling. Learn more about the detailed reports and maps available from these practitioners (includes links to samples).

General Information

Mali is a developing nation classified as low income. Located in western Africa (south of Algeria and north of Burkina Faso), the climate classifications range from dry (semi arid) in the south to dry (arid) in the north.

Vaccinations

Yellow Fever

Requirement: A certificate proving yellow fever vaccination is required for all travelers aged ≥ 9 months.
Official Status: listed by WHO as a country where YF transmission risk is present.

Other Vaccines

Depending on your itinerary, your personal risk factors, and the length of your visit, your health care provider may offer you vaccination against cholera, COVID-19, Ebola virus disease, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal meningitis, rabies, typhoid fever, or a one time polio booster if you haven't previously received one for travel. Routine immunizations, such as those that prevent tetanus/diphtheria or "childhood" diseases, should be reviewed and updated as needed.

Malaria

WHO—International Travel and Health (current online update, Country List)

(2020) Malaria risk due predominantly to P. falciparum exists throughout the year in the entire country.

Recommended prevention: C – Risk of P. falciparum malaria, in combination with reported chloroquine and sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine resistance. Mosquito bite prevention plus atovaquone–proguanil or doxycycline or mefloquine chemoprophylaxis (select according to reported side effects and contraindications) ^a
^aAlternatively, for travel to rural areas with low risk of malaria infection, mosquito bite prevention can be combined with stand–by emergency treatment (SBET).

WHO Country List footnote: When available, the date of the most recent update or confirmation is indicated in parentheses in the country list. If no date is indicated, the most recent update or confirmation was provided before 2013.

CDC—Health Information for International Travel (current online edition)

Areas with malaria: All.

Drug resistance³ : Chloroquine.
Malaria species: P. falciparum >85%, P. ovale 5%–10%, P. vivax rare.
Recommended chemoprophylaxis: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or tafenoquine.⁴
³ Refers to P. falciparum malaria unless otherwise noted.
⁴ Primaquine and tafenoquine can cause hemolytic anemia in people with G6PD deficiency. Patients must be screened for G6PD deficiency before starting primaquine or tafenoquine. See Tafenoquine Approved for Malaria Prophylaxis and Treatment for more information.

Other Concerns

Travelers' Diarrhea

High risk exists throughout the country, including in deluxe accommodations. Community sanitation and food safety measures are generally inadequate. Some itineraries (e.g., remote destinations, austere accommodations) and activities (e.g., ecotourism, eating street or local-market food) further increase risk.

Travelers should observe food and beverage precautions, which reduce the likelihood of illness.

Travelers should carry loperamide for self-treatment of diarrhea and, if risk is moderate to high, an antibiotic to add if diarrhea is severe. Consult a knowledgeable health care provider regarding which antibiotic is appropriate for you and most effective for your destination.

Insect- and Arthropod-Borne Diseases

African trypanosomiasis, chikungunya, dengue, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, Rift Valley fever, West Nile virus, Zika may pose a risk. Personal protective measures are important.

Other Disease and Health Risks

Additional concerns include anthrax disease, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, helminths, hepatitis C, lassa fever, leptospirosis, Marburg virus disease, schistosomiasis, sexually transmitted infections, snakebites, tuberculosis.

Consular Advice

The material below includes information from the US Department of State (DOS), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), as well as from additional open-source material. Standard safety precautions that apply to all international travel can be found in the Library article Safety and Security.

Consular Travel Advice

Due to terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crime, US (DOS), Canada (GAC), and Australia (DFAT) advise avoiding all travel to this country. UK (FCO) has a more limited warning.

A state of emergency is in place. Heightened security measures, random identity checks, and roadblocks are likely; carry identification at all times. A heightened risk of instability and the threat of kidnapping and violence exist due to the withdrawal of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the military takeover in neighboring Niger in July 2023. Travelers who are in this country despite consular warnings should maintain a high level of security awareness, follow the advice of local authorities, and monitor the situation through local media.

Terrorism Risk

High risk of attack by domestic and/or transnational terrorist groups exists throughout the country, especially in Bamako, and Gao, Kidal, and Tombouctou regions. Targets may include domestic and international organizations and businesses; public places and events, including those frequented by tourists; and transportation systems.

From 2016 through 2017, attacks targeted areas frequented by tourists, including resorts, hotels, and restaurants.

High risk of kidnapping by terrorist groups exists throughout the country (including Bamako), especially in northern regions and areas bordering Niger, Burkina Faso, Algeria, and Mauritania. Targets may include foreigners (especially Westerners), journalists, nongovernmental organization workers, missionaries, and aid workers.

Crime

Moderate risk of violent crime (armed robbery and carjacking) exists throughout the country, especially in Bamako and other cities and in northern areas.

High risk of petty crime exists in cities throughout the country, especially in crowded outdoor areas.

Kidnappings by criminal groups may occur throughout the country.

Scams involving extortion have been reported.

Civil Unrest

Protests and demonstrations occur throughout the country, especially in Bamako, and are generally peaceful but have the potential to turn violent without warning. Bystanders are at risk of harm from violence or from the response by authorities. Disruption to transportation, free movement, or the ability to carry out daily activities may occur.

Unsafe Areas

Armed conflict occurs and a dangerous security environment may exist throughout the country, particularly in areas bordering Cote d'Ivoire and Mauritania, in Bamako, in Mopti Region, and in Ségou Region. A military presence may exist in northern areas of the country.

Transportation Safety

High risk of traffic-related injury or death exists. The road traffic death rate is 12 to 24 per 100,000 population. The rate is less than 10 in most high-income countries.

Speed laws are poorly enforced.

Seat belt laws are poorly enforced.

Drunk driving laws are poorly enforced.

Structural standards for vehicles may not meet international standards.

Natural Disasters

The rainy season is from June through October. Floods, mudslides, and landslides may occur, especially near the Niger River.

Sandstorms and dust storms occur from March through June.

Extreme heat (which can lead to heat-related illness) occurs from March through June.

Consular Information

Selected Embassies or Consulates in Mali

United States: [+223] 20-70-23-00; ml.usembassy.gov
Canada: [+223] 44-98-04-50; mali.gc.ca
United Kingdom: [+223] 44-97-69-13; www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-bamako
Australia: Australia does not have an embassy or consulate in Mali.

Mali's Embassies or Consulates in Selected Countries

In the U.S.: www.maliembassy.us
In Canada: www.ambamali.ca
In the U.K.: www.mali-consulate.org.uk
In Australia: [+61] 03-9600-0511

Visa/HIV Testing

HIV testing is not required to obtain a tourist, work, or residence visa.

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