Destinations

Pakistan is one of the countries where polio advice needs careful checking, not a quick glance. All travellers should be up to date with their UK polio schedule. If you are staying in Pakistan for four weeks or more, proof of a polio vaccine recorded on an ICVP, given 4 weeks to 12 months before departure from Pakistan, may be needed when you leave. Hepatitis A is commonly recommended for previously unvaccinated travellers because it spreads through contaminated food and water. Typhoid vaccination is also strongly relevant for most Pakistan trips, especially family visits, longer stays, children and travel where food hygiene is less predictable. Pakistan’s history of extensively drug-resistant typhoid makes prevention particularly important, as treatment options can be more limited. Tetanus should be up to date. Hepatitis B may be worth discussing for longer stays, medical or dental treatment, contact sports, new sexual partners or work involving blood or body fluids. Rabies is present, with dogs the main concern; children, cyclists, runners and people staying away from good medical access should ask about pre-travel rabies vaccination. Malaria risk is generally low below 2,000 metres and very low above that, so bite avoidance matters for everyone and tablets are usually reserved for higher-risk situations after assessment. Dengue, Zika and chikungunya are also mosquito-borne concerns, with daytime bites especially relevant. Japanese encephalitis is less commonly needed, but may be considered for rural exposure, including parts of Sindh, particularly around the June to October rainy season.

Bangladesh has a specific malaria pattern. TravelHealthPro describes high malaria risk in the Chittagong Hill Tract districts, where antimalarial tablets may be advised. For the rest of Bangladesh, including Chittagong city outside those districts, malaria risk is described as very low, so bite avoidance and symptom awareness are usually the focus. Dengue deserves attention because the mosquitoes that spread it bite mainly in the daytime and are often found in towns and cities. Chikungunya and Zika are also mosquito-borne risks in Bangladesh, and Japanese encephalitis can matter for rural travel, especially around rice fields, marshy areas or longer stays, with higher risk described in the northwest and during or just after the monsoon season from June to November. Hepatitis A and typhoid are commonly considered because both are linked to contaminated food and water. Tetanus should be up to date. Hepatitis B may be worth discussing for longer stays, medical work, sexual exposure risk, contact sports, procedures abroad or visiting family. Rabies is present, and pre-travel vaccination is often sensible for children, cyclists, runners, animal work, longer trips or places where prompt treatment may be difficult to reach. Cholera, BCG and other vaccines are more selective. Yellow fever is not a risk in Bangladesh, but a certificate may be required if you arrive from a yellow fever risk country.

The Saudi Arabia travel health conversation often starts with meningococcal ACWY. Proof of ACWY vaccination is a visa requirement for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and seasonal workers, and it is also recommended for personal protection because meningococcal disease spreads more easily in crowded settings. If you are travelling for pilgrimage, bring your dates and paperwork requirements to the consultation. Routine UK vaccinations should be up to date, including MMR and tetanus-containing boosters where relevant. Hepatitis A is commonly considered when food and water hygiene may be uncertain, especially for longer stays, visiting family, basic accommodation or repeated travel. Typhoid may also be discussed for similar reasons. Hepatitis B can matter for longer stays, sexual exposure, medical or dental treatment abroad, contact sports, or work involving blood or body fluids. Rabies is a recognised risk in Saudi Arabia, mainly through bites or scratches from infected animals. Pre-travel rabies vaccination is not needed by every visitor, but it is worth discussing for children, runners, cyclists, longer stays and trips where access to prompt treatment may be limited. Dengue risk is reported in Al Madinah, Jizan and Makkah provinces, including Mecca and Jeddah, so daytime mosquito bite avoidance still matters. Malaria risk is low and limited mainly to south-western areas near the Yemen border, including parts of Asir below 2,000 metres. It is not considered a risk in Jeddah, Makkah, Medina, Riyadh or Ta’if. MERS-CoV has also been reported in Saudi Arabia; avoid contact with camels and raw camel products, particularly if you are older, pregnant or have long-term health conditions.

India is a good example of why country-level malaria advice can mislead. Malaria tablets are usually recommended for Assam and Odisha, plus selected districts in Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The rest of India, including Goa and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is generally classed as low risk, where bite avoidance and awareness may be enough for many travellers. Lakshadweep is not considered a malaria risk. Some people still need a more cautious plan, especially young children, pregnant travellers, older adults, people without a functioning spleen or those with complex medical conditions. Day-biting mosquitoes also spread dengue, chikungunya and Zika. These are not prevented by standard malaria tablets. Use repellent, cover skin where practical and take accommodation choices seriously, especially during wetter months and in busy towns as well as rural areas. Pregnant travellers, or anyone planning pregnancy soon after travel, should discuss Zika risk before booking or departing. Hepatitis A is commonly recommended for previously unvaccinated travellers because it spreads through contaminated food and water. Typhoid vaccination is also commonly considered for India. Tetanus-containing vaccination should be up to date. Hepatitis B may be relevant for longer stays, medical work, new sexual partners, tattoos, piercings or possible medical care abroad. Rabies is a real concern in India, particularly after dog bites or scratches. Pre-travel rabies vaccination is worth discussing for children, runners, cyclists, long stays and remote travel. Japanese encephalitis may matter for longer rural stays, repeated travel or time near rice fields or pig farming areas, particularly around and after monsoon periods in northern regions. Yellow fever is not a risk in India, but a certificate may be required if you arrive from a yellow fever risk country.

Malaria is not generally the headline risk for Morocco, and antimalarial tablets are not usually needed. That often surprises people. It should not make the trip feel risk-free. Hepatitis A is commonly recommended for previously unvaccinated travellers because it spreads through contaminated food and water. Typhoid vaccination is also often considered, especially for longer stays, visits to friends and relatives, frequent travel, children, or trips where food hygiene may be less predictable. Tetanus should be up to date, particularly if you may be trekking, cycling, handling animals or travelling where medical care is harder to reach. Routine UK vaccines matter too. Measles has been reported in Morocco, so MMR status is worth checking before travel, especially for children, teenagers and adults who may have missed doses. Hepatitis B may be relevant for longer stays, new sexual partners, medical or dental treatment abroad, contact sports, or work involving blood or body fluids. Rabies is present in domestic animals in Morocco. The risk is not high for everyone, but bites and scratches from dogs, cats or bats need urgent medical assessment. Pre-travel rabies vaccination is worth discussing for children, runners, cyclists, long-stay travellers and anyone heading somewhere where prompt post-bite treatment may be difficult. There is also a very low schistosomiasis risk, so avoid swimming or wading in untreated freshwater. In the High Atlas, routes above 2,500 metres can bring altitude illness into play.

Tunisia has no International Health Regulations certificate requirement for entry, but that does not mean vaccines are irrelevant. Routine UK vaccinations should be up to date, including MMR and the diphtheria-tetanus-polio course. Tetanus matters if you may be away from reliable medical facilities, or if cuts and puncture wounds are plausible. Hepatitis A is commonly recommended for previously unvaccinated travellers because it spreads through contaminated food and water. Typhoid vaccination may be considered for longer stays, frequent travel, visits to friends and relatives, or plans where food hygiene could be uneven. Hepatitis B can be relevant for longer trips, sexual exposure, contact sports, medical or dental treatment abroad, or work involving blood or body fluids. Rabies is reported in domestic animals in Tunisia, and bats may carry related viruses. Most short-stay travellers will not need pre-travel rabies vaccination, but it is worth discussing for children, runners, cyclists, longer stays, animal work or routes where urgent treatment may be harder to reach. Mosquitoes, sandflies and ticks can transmit infections in parts of North Africa, including leishmaniasis and West Nile virus. Bite avoidance is still useful, even where malaria tablets are not the main issue. Schistosomiasis has been reported previously, but the risk is very low; avoid swimming or wading in untreated freshwater.

Malaria tablets are not advised for Egypt because malaria is not considered a risk there. Bite avoidance still matters. Dengue is reported in Egypt, and the mosquitoes that spread it tend to bite during the day, including in towns and built-up areas. Long sleeves, repellent and sensible accommodation choices are more useful than assuming mosquitoes are only an evening nuisance. Hepatitis A is commonly recommended for previously unvaccinated travellers because it spreads through contaminated food and water. Tetanus should be up to date, especially if you may be away from good medical facilities or doing activities where cuts and puncture wounds are plausible. Typhoid vaccination may be considered where food hygiene could be uncertain, particularly for longer stays, frequent travel or visits to family and friends. Rabies is present in Egypt. Dogs, cats and bats can be relevant, and children may not always mention a lick, scratch or bite. Pre-travel rabies vaccination is worth discussing for longer trips, cycling, running, animal work, remote travel or situations where urgent treatment may be hard to reach. Schistosomiasis is another Egypt-specific issue. Avoid swimming, wading or washing in untreated freshwater such as rivers, canals and lakes. Sea water and well-maintained chlorinated pools are different.

Thailand has several mosquito-borne infections, and not all of them behave like malaria. Dengue, Zika and chikungunya are spread by mosquitoes that often bite during the day and can be present in towns as well as rural areas. There is no simple tablet that prevents these infections, so repellent, covered skin, screened rooms and sensible accommodation choices matter. Zika is particularly important if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or travelling with a partner where pregnancy may be possible. Malaria risk is not the same across Thailand. It is low in rural, forested border areas with Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, and very low in many other areas. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui and Pattaya are not considered malaria-risk areas, although bite avoidance still matters. Malaria tablets may be discussed for some higher-risk routes or medical circumstances. Hepatitis A is commonly recommended for previously unvaccinated travellers because it spreads through contaminated food and water. Tetanus should be up to date. Typhoid may be considered for longer stays, rural travel, frequent travel or situations where food hygiene is less reliable. Rabies is present in Thailand. Dogs are the usual concern, but any mammal bite, scratch or lick to broken skin needs urgent advice. Pre-travel rabies vaccination is worth discussing for children, runners, cyclists, long-stay travellers and anyone heading where prompt treatment may be harder to reach. Japanese encephalitis occurs countrywide, with higher relevance for rural exposure, longer stays and northern travel during the May to October season. Hepatitis B may also be relevant, particularly for longer trips, medical or dental treatment abroad, new sexual partners, contact sports or work involving blood exposure.

Dengue is a genuine consideration in Vietnam, including in towns and cities. The mosquitoes that spread dengue usually bite during daylight hours, so relying only on a bed net at night misses part of the problem. Chikungunya and Zika are also reported as risks. Zika is especially important if you are pregnant, travelling with a pregnant partner, or planning pregnancy soon after travel. Hepatitis A is commonly recommended for previously unvaccinated travellers because it spreads through contaminated food and water. Typhoid vaccination is also often considered, particularly for longer stays, family visits, frequent travel or trips where food hygiene may be variable. Tetanus should be up to date, especially if medical care could be harder to reach after an injury. Japanese encephalitis occurs countrywide, with higher concern for rural exposure and a seasonal peak from May to October, particularly in the north. Vaccination may be worth discussing for longer rural stays, repeated travel, uncertain routes or evenings near rice fields, wetlands or pig farming areas. Malaria risk is low and mainly linked with some rural areas, including Tay Ninh, Lam Dong, Dak Lak, Gia Lai and Kon Tum. It is not considered a risk in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, the Red River delta, coastal areas north of Nha Trang or Phu Quoc Island. Rabies is present in domestic animals, so animal bites and scratches need urgent medical advice.

Dengue is one of the more practical risks to think about for the Philippines. The mosquitoes that spread it often bite during the day and are common around towns and cities, so repellent is not just an evening habit. Zika risk is also recognised, which matters particularly if you are pregnant, travelling with a pregnant partner, or planning pregnancy soon after the trip. Hepatitis A is commonly recommended for previously unvaccinated travellers because it spreads through contaminated food and water. Typhoid is also often considered, especially for longer stays, family visits, lower-budget travel or places where food hygiene may be uncertain. Tetanus should be up to date. Hepatitis B may be worth discussing for longer stays, sexual exposure, contact sports, medical or dental treatment abroad, or work involving blood or body fluids. Rabies is present in domestic animals, and bats may carry related viruses. Pre-travel rabies vaccination is not needed by everyone, but it deserves attention for children, cyclists, runners, long stays and rural routes where urgent treatment may be harder to reach. Japanese encephalitis occurs countrywide and risk is considered year-round. It is usually more relevant for rural stays, rice-growing areas, pig farming areas, repeat travel or trips of a month or more. Malaria is different: risk is low in rural areas below 600 metres on Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro and Palawan, and not considered a risk in cities or on Boracay, Bohol, Cebu, Leyte and some other islands. Bite avoidance still matters.

Bali is classed as a low malaria risk area, so many short-stay visitors are advised to focus on awareness and bite avoidance rather than routine malaria tablets. That is different from parts of eastern Indonesia, especially Papua, where malaria risk is much higher and tablets are usually advised. If your itinerary includes other islands, say so during the consultation. The mosquito-borne infections that matter more for many Bali trips are dengue and Zika, with chikungunya also recognised in Indonesia. These are spread mainly by mosquitoes that bite in the daytime, including in towns and built-up areas. There is no simple tablet that prevents them. Repellent, loose long sleeves, air-conditioned or screened rooms and taking bites seriously are still useful, even at a smart hotel. Pregnant travellers, and couples planning pregnancy soon after travel, should discuss Zika before booking or travelling. Hepatitis A is commonly recommended for previously unvaccinated travellers because it spreads through contaminated food and water. Typhoid is often considered, particularly for longer stays, frequent travel, children and trips where food hygiene may be less predictable. Tetanus should be current. Hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis and rabies are discussed for some travellers, especially longer stays, rural time, contact with animals, healthcare work, diving or cycling, and travel where medical treatment may take longer to reach. Dogs, monkeys and bats should not be handled.

Cambodia has low malaria risk overall, with no risk in Phnom Penh and very low risk around Angkor Wat, Siem Reap and Lake Tonle Sap. Malaria tablets are not automatically advised for every itinerary, although they may be considered for higher-risk travellers or routes into low-risk areas, especially where medical access would be limited. The western provinces bordering Thailand need careful assessment because resistance patterns affect antimalarial choices. Dengue risk is present in Cambodia, and the mosquitoes that spread it often bite during the day, including in towns. Chikungunya and Zika are also reported risks. There is no simple tablet that prevents these infections, so repellent, covered skin and choosing accommodation with screens or air conditioning are still practical measures. Hepatitis A is commonly recommended for previously unvaccinated travellers because it spreads through contaminated food and water. Typhoid vaccination is also usually discussed, particularly for longer trips, lower-budget travel, rural areas or visits where food hygiene may be harder to control. Tetanus should be up to date. Japanese encephalitis occurs countrywide, with higher seasonal concern generally between May and October. It is more relevant for longer stays, rural exposure, rice field areas, pig farms, uncertain itineraries or repeated travel. Rabies is also a real consideration, especially for children, cyclists, runners and anyone spending time away from prompt medical treatment. Avoid swimming or wading in untreated freshwater, as schistosomiasis is a risk in Cambodia.

Peru’s distinctive health issue is altitude. Cusco sits at around 3,399 metres, Puno is higher, and parts of the Inca Trail climb above 4,000 metres. Acute mountain sickness can affect fit people as well as unfit people. Headache, nausea, poor sleep and breathlessness after ascent should be taken seriously, especially if symptoms worsen rather than settle. Hepatitis A is commonly recommended for previously unvaccinated travellers because it spreads through contaminated food and water. Tetanus should be up to date, particularly if you will trek, cycle or spend time away from good medical facilities. Typhoid vaccination is often discussed for Peru, especially for longer trips, rural stays or situations where food hygiene may be uncertain. Yellow fever is the vaccine that needs itinerary detail. It is generally relevant for several lower-altitude eastern and Amazon regions, including areas such as Loreto, Madre de Dios, Ucayali and parts of Cusco region below 2,300 metres. It is not usually advised for itineraries limited to Lima, Cusco city, Machu Picchu or the Inca Trail. Some people cannot safely have this vaccine, so it needs proper screening. Malaria risk is low and focused mainly in the Amazon basin, especially Loreto and other rural areas below 2,000 metres. Many travellers need bite avoidance rather than tablets, though antimalarials may be considered for higher-risk people or more remote itineraries. Dengue, Zika and Oropouche are also mosquito-borne concerns, so daytime bite prevention matters. Rabies is present, with pre-travel vaccination worth discussing for children, runners, cyclists, long stays and remote travel.

Costa Rica has a low malaria risk in Limón Province, excluding Puerto Limón, and a very low risk in the rest of the country. For most travellers, bite avoidance is the main malaria advice rather than routine malaria tablets. Tablets may still be discussed for higher-risk travellers or unusual itineraries, particularly where medical issues make malaria more dangerous. Day-biting mosquitoes are the bigger everyday issue. Dengue risk is reported in Costa Rica, and Zika is also a consideration, especially for anyone pregnant or planning pregnancy. Chikungunya can occur too. There is no simple tablet that prevents these infections, so repellent, covered skin, screened accommodation and treating daytime bites as important all matter. Hepatitis A is commonly recommended for previously unvaccinated travellers because it spreads through contaminated food and water. Tetanus should be up to date, particularly for walking, cycling or rural travel. Typhoid vaccination may be considered for longer stays, frequent travel, visits where food hygiene is uncertain, or more adventurous itineraries. Rabies is a risk in Costa Rica and has been reported in domestic animals; bats may also carry rabies-like viruses. Pre-travel rabies vaccination is worth discussing for children, long stays, animal work, running, cycling or remote travel. Yellow fever is not a risk in Costa Rica itself, but proof of vaccination may be required if you arrive from certain yellow fever risk countries.

Yellow fever is the Colombia issue that needs careful route checking. UK guidance reports transmission risk in parts of the country, with vaccination recommended for many travellers aged 9 months or over going to areas below 2,300 metres. It is not usually recommended for trips only to Bogotá or areas above 2,300 metres, San Andrés y Providencia, or travel only to Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena or Medellín. Certificate rules may also apply if you arrive from certain countries, including Brazil, Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, or transit through them for more than 12 hours. Hepatitis A is commonly recommended for previously unvaccinated travellers because it spreads through contaminated food and water. Typhoid is also relevant for many Colombia trips, particularly longer stays, rural travel, visits to friends and relatives, or where food hygiene may be variable. Tetanus should be up to date. Malaria risk is generally low in rural areas below 1,600 metres and very low above 1,600 metres and in Cartagena. Tablets may be considered for some higher-risk travellers or longer rural stays, but bite avoidance still matters. Dengue, Zika, chikungunya and Oropouche are mosquito or biting-insect risks in Colombia. Some bite during the day. Rabies is also present, so animal bites and scratches need urgent medical advice, even if you were vaccinated before travel.