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U.S. State Department Maintains 'Do Not Travel' Advisory for Burkina Faso, Adds 'Health' Risk Indicator

🇺🇸 United StatesTravel Advisories1 recorded versionLast change 4 May 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

The U.S. State Department advises citizens 'Do Not Travel' to Burkina Faso due to crime, kidnapping, terrorism, and health risks. The 'health' risk indicator has been added to the advisory. U.S. government employees in Burkina Faso are restricted from travel outside of Ouagadougou and discouraged from nighttime travel to specific neighborhoods in Ouagadougou. A state of emergency is declared in several regions and provinces within Burkina Faso. Specific advice for Americans in Burkina Faso includes enrolling in STEP, reviewing security information, having an emergency exit plan, establishing personal security plans, monitoring local media, preparing legal documents (will, power of attorney), developing communication plans, identifying emergency contacts, establishing proof of life protocols, leaving DNA samples, using home/hotel safety measures, stopping in well-lit areas for police, deleting sensitive digital content, leaving valuables behind, ensuring medical evacuation insurance, checking with doctors for vaccines, and purchasing travel insurance.

Overview

The U.S. State Department has updated its travel advisory for Burkina Faso, reinforcing the 'Level 4: Do Not Travel' status. The key change is the addition of a 'health' risk indicator, alongside existing concerns regarding crime, kidnapping, and terrorism. This update advises U.S. citizens against any travel to Burkina Faso and outlines specific restrictions for U.S. government employees within the country.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • U.S. citizens thinking about travelling to Burkina Faso
  • U.S. government workers in Burkina Faso
  • Americans who are in Burkina Faso

What changed in the latest version

Before

The U.S. State Department had a 'Level 4: Do Not Travel' warning for Burkina Faso. This was because of crime, kidnapping, and terrorism. The summary was different before.

After

The U.S. State Department tells its citizens 'Do Not Travel' to Burkina Faso. This is because of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, and health risks. The 'health' risk has been added to the warning. U.S. government workers in Burkina Faso cannot travel outside Ouagadougou. They should not travel at night to certain parts of Ouagadougou. A state of emergency has been announced in many regions and provinces in Burkina Faso. Specific advice for Americans in Burkina Faso includes: enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get updates from the U.S. Embassy; check security information; have a plan to leave the country quickly in an emergency; make personal safety plans; watch local news; prepare legal documents such as a will and power of attorney; make plans for how to communicate; identify who to contact in an emergency; set up ways to prove they are alive if kidnapped; use safety measures at home and in hotels; stop in well-lit places if police stop them; delete private digital content; leave valuable items behind; make sure they have medical evacuation insurance; ask doctors about needed vaccines; and buy travel insurance.

This updated travel warning is important. It shows an extra serious risk: health. U.S. citizens must think about this before travelling to or staying in Burkina Faso. Including 'health' as a risk means there might be limited medical services. It also means travellers need to be able to look after themselves if there is a health emergency. For Americans already in Burkina Faso, the new advice stresses the need for personal safety plans. It also highlights communication plans and emergency preparations. The 'Level 4' warning stays the same. This proves the serious dangers. It means people should follow the strong 'Do Not Travel' advice.

Explained simply

The U.S. government is telling people not to go to Burkina Faso, a country in Africa, because it's really dangerous due to lots of crime, kidnappings, and attacks by bad groups. They've also added a warning that it's hard to get good medical help there if you get sick or hurt. If you're an American working there for the government, you can't even leave the main city. Basically, stay away!

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v18Effective 4 May 2026EffectiveHigh impact
    U.S. State Department Maintains 'Do Not Travel' Advisory for Burkina Faso, Adds 'Health' Risk Indicator

    The U.S. State Department tells people not to travel to Burkina Faso. This is a 'Level 4: Do Not Travel' warning. People must be very careful because of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, and health risks. The State Department has now added 'health' as a clear risk. The overall warning level has not changed. But the summary has been updated to show these worries and to give advice on safety. U.S. government workers in Burkina Faso still cannot travel outside Ouagadougou. They should not travel at night in certain parts of the city.

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