Health risks

The Republic of Maldives consists of 1,190 islands (fewer than 200 are inhabited) located southwest of Sri Lanka, off the southern tip of India.

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The Maldives has a population of 270,000, of which about 70,000 reside in Male, the capital city. The only international airport is on the nearby island of Hulhule. Beautiful atolls inhabited by over 1,100 species of fish and other sea life attract thousands of visitors each year. Tourism facilities are well developed on the resort islands.

CRIME INFORMATION: The Maldives has a low crime rate.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: There are two main hospitals in Male: the government-owned Indira Ghandi Memorial Hospital (IGM) and the privately owned Abdurahman Don Kaleyfan Hospital (ADK). Both hospitals provide a relatively high standard of medical care, including general and orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery. ADK accepts most major credit cards and some foreign medical insurance packages. IGM accepts neither credit cards nor medical insurance.

Water- and foodborne diseases:

Typhoid fever
Brucellosis
Cholora
ETEC (E.coli)
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis E
Giardiasis
Echinococcosis
Amoebiasis

Other diseases:

Hepatitis B
Rabies

Vaccinations recommended

Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin
Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
Typhoid fever - vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
Rabies - if risk for contact with wild or domestic animals
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.

Compulsory vaccinations: yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas.

Recommended immunisations: *diphtheria, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, 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: rabies.

Blood transfusion & tissue transplantation risk according to UK BTS:

Malaria: No
Trypanasoma Cruzi Risk: No
Sub Saharan Africa: No
West Nile Virus Risk: No
Chikungunya Virus Risk: No

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

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