Health risks

Myanmar is a developing, agrarian country ruled by a military regime. The country's political situation is relatively volatile as the military government suppresses expression of opposition to its rule.

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The country has begun to encourage tourism after a long period of isolation. Foreigners can expect to pay at least five times more than locals do for hotels, airfare, and entry to tourist sites. Tourist facilities in the capital of Rangoon, Bagan, Taunggyi, and Mandalay are adequate, but they are very limited in most other areas of the country.

CRIME: National crime statistics are unreliable, but street crime appears to be increasing in Burma. There have been reports of vehicle hijackings and home invasion robberies. With the increase of the drug trade in Burma, individuals carrying automatic weapons on the street are not uncommon.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities in Burma are inadequate for even routine medical care. There are few trained medical personnel because the universities were closed for several years and have only recently reopened.

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

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 the form of mefloquine below 1000 m (chloroquine resistance)

Compulsory vaccinations: yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas, nationals & residents of Myanmar are required to possess certificates of vaccination on their departure to an infected area.

Recommended immunisations: diphtheria, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, *Japanese B encephalitis, malaria, 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 exists commonly below 1,000 metres (1) all year in Karen State; (2) from Mar-Dec in Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Mon, Rakhine & Shan States, Pegu Div, and Hlegu, Hmawbi and Taikkyi townships of Yangon Div (3) from Apr-Dec in rural areas of Tenasserim Div (4) from May-Dec in Ayeyawady Div and rural areas of Mandalay Div (5) from Jun-Nov in rural areas of Magwe Div and Sagaing Div. Rabies.

Blood transfusion & tissue transplantation risk according to UK BTS:

Malaria: Yes, All year in whole country
Maliaria Risk Category: A
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 Myanmar
Food and Water Safety
HIV Risk
Check travelers health risks by CDC before, after and while traveling to Myanmar and prevention before arrival at Myanmar

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