Health risks
The Republic of Korea (South Korea or ROK) is a highly developed, stable, democratic republic with powers shared between the president and the legislature. It has a modern economy, and tourist facilities are widely available. English is often not spoken outside the main tourist and business centers.
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CRIME : Although the crime rate in the Republic of Korea is low, in major metropolitan areas, such as Seoul and Pusan, there is a greater risk of pickpocketing, purse-snatching, assaults, hotel room burglaries, and residential crime, and foreigners can be targeted.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Health care facilities in the Republic of Korea are good. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.
Arthropodborne diseases:
- Dengue fever
- Japanese encephalitis
- Malaria
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:
- Brucellosis
- Cholera
- ETEC (e.coli)
- Giardiasis
- Hepatitis A
Other diseases:
- Hepatitis B
- Rabies
- Trachoma
- Leptospirosis
Vaccinations we recommend:
- Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin
- Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
- Japanes encephalitis, only if you plan to visit rural areas for 4 weeks or mor
- Rabies - if risk for contact with wild or domestic animals
- 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 th last 10 years
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 of malaria prophlaxis is not recommended
Compulsory vaccinations: AIDS: Depending on the purpose of their visit, foreigners wishing to stay in Korea (South) for more than 90 days may need to supply quarantine officials with an AIDS-free certificate, issued within the month preceding their arrival in Korea (South).
Recommended immunisations: *diphtheria, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, *Japanese B encephalitis, polio, *TB, tetanus, *typhoid * 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, limited risk in the northern areas of Gyeonggi Do province. Rabies.
Blood transfusion & tissue transplantation risk according to UK BTS:
- Malaria: Yes, All year in the de-militarized zone between North and South Korea (Kyunggi-do and Gangwon-do provinces)
- Maliaria Risk Category: C
- Trypanasoma Cruzi Risk: No
- Sub Saharan Africa: No
- West Nile Virus Risk: No
- Chikungunya Virus Risk: No
Food and Water Safety
HIV Risk
