World Country Guide

1
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers over one year of age, except travellers arriving from a non-infected area and staying less than two weeks in the country.

2
Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Mauritania. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix for further information.

3
Immunisation against typhoid is recommended and vaccination against poliomyelitis is sometimes advised.

4
Malaria risk, mainly in the malignant falciparum form, exists throughout the year except in the northern areas of Dakhlet-Nouadhibou and Tiris-Zemour. In Adrar and Inchiri, there is a malaria risk during the rainy season (July through October). Resistance to chloroquine has been reported. The recommended prophylaxis in these areas is chloroquine plus proguanil.

Food & drink
All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks
Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) exists. Avoid swimming or paddling in fresh water; swimming pools that are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Also present are hepatitis A and E. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Rift Valley fever is present in the Trarza region. Epidemics of meningococcal meningitis may occur, particularly in the savannah areas and during the dry season.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care
Medical facilities are very limited. Nouakchott boasts the country’s best medical facilities with many doctors, most in private practices or clinics, and plenty of chemists stocking most existing French medicines. The hospital in the capital has 450 beds; there are fewer than 100 other beds elsewhere. Health insurance, to include cover for emergency repatriation, is essential.