Health risks

Cambodia is a poor developing country with a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarch. A coalition government was formed between the two major political parties in November 1998, following national elections in July of that year.

CRIME: Crime and banditry are persistent problems in many areas of the country. The severe poverty in Cambodia has contributed to an increase in armed robberies and assaults, sometimes during daylight hours. Most individuals are robbed while riding on motorcycle taxis or cyclos (passenger-carrying bicycles) and generally after dark, but such incidents have occurred in broad daylight as well.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities and services in Cambodia are not up to international standards.

Arthropodborne diseases:

  • Dengue fever
  • Filariasis
  • Japanese enchephalitis
  • Malaria
  • Plague

We recommend:

  • Usage of long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects
  • Usage og insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children. Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing
  • Usage of a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin.
  • Staying and sleeping in air-conditioned houses

Water- and foodborne diseases:

  • Amoebiasis
  • Cholera
  • ETEC (E.coli)
  • Giardiasis
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis E
  • Typhoid fever

Other diseases:

  • Hepatitis B
  • Rabies
  • HIV

Vaccinations recommended:

  • Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)
  • Hepatitis B or immune globulin
  • Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
  • Typhoid vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
  • A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within the last 10 years.
  • Japanese encephalitis, only if you plan to visit rural areas for 4 weeks or more
  • Yellow fever, when entering from a yellow fever endemic region.

Stay healthy:

  • Wash hands often with soap and water.
  • Drink only boiled water, or water and carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans
  • Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
  • Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it
  • Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.
  • Prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
  • Do not travel at night
  • Trafic accidents are frequent, be careful
  • Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
  • Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
  • Use malaria prophlaxis in form of mefloquine, at the western border region to Thailand we recommend doxycycline (chloroquine resistance)

Compulsory vaccinations: none.

Recommended immunisations: *diphtheria, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, *malaria, polio, *TB, tetanus, typhoid, *yellow fever for travellers visiting the middle valley of the Magdalena river, eastern & western foothills of the Cordillera Oriental from the frontier with Ecuador to that with Venezuela, Uraba, foothills of the Sierra Nevada, eastern plains (Orinoquia) & Amazonia * recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Risks: malaria risk is high all year in rural areas below 800 metres. Transmission intensity varies from region to region especially in the municipalities of the regions of Amaziona, Orinoquai, Pacifico & Uraba-Bajo Cauca. Transmission intensity varies from department to departmentwith the highest risk in Amazonas, Choco, Cordoba, Guainia, Guaviare, Putumayo & Vichada. Rabies.

Blood transfusion & tissue transplantation risk according to UK BTS:

  • Malaria: Yes, All year in whole country
  • Maliaria Risk Category: A
  • Trypanasoma Cruzi Risk: Yes
  • Sub Saharan Africa: No
  • West Nile Virus Risk: No
  • Chikungunya Virus Risk: No

Yellow fever vaccination requirements and recommendations and malaria situation in colombia
Food and Water Safety
HIV Risk
Check travelers health risks by CDC before, after and while traveling to Colombia and prevention before arrival at Colombia.

Travel data, health safety, warnings and recommendations for Canadian who willing to visit Colombia.