Laos Health Overview Print this Guide |  Email this Guide

Those planning to travel to Laos should seek medical advice about vaccinations and endemic diseases at least three weeks prior to departure. There have been bird flu outbreaks in northern Laos provinces. Malaria exists throughout the country except in Vientiane, and typhoid and cholera occur in some areas. A typhoid vaccine is recommended for all travellers, except short-term business travellers who will restrict their meals to major restaurants and hotels. Other risks include Hepatitis E, plague, dengue fever, and Schistosomiasis if swimming in the Mekong River. Travellers' diarrhoea is a problem for many visitors; only drink bottled water and avoid dairy products, uncooked meat and fish, salads and unpeeled fruit. Medical care in Vientiane is extremely basic and outside the capital there are no reliable facilities to deal with medical emergencies. Medical evacuation is difficult to organise and very expensive. Travellers are advised to take out comprehensive medical insurance, and those who have an unstable medical condition should consider avoiding Laos. A yellow fever certificate is required by all entering from an infected area. Bird flu has been detected in poultry and wild birds, and the first case of human infection was confirmed in February 2007; however the risk is still low for travellers, but contact with domestic, caged and wild birds should be avoided and poultry and egg dishes well cooked.

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