Health risks
Nepal is a developing country with extensive tourist facilities, which vary in quality according to price and location. The capital is Kathmandu.
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CRIME : Although the rate of violent crime is low in Kathmandu , street crime is prevalent in Kathmandu as well as in other areas frequented by foreigners.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical care is extremely limited, and it is generally not up to Western standards. Serious illnesses often require evacuation to the nearest adequate medical facility (in Singapore, Bangkok or New Delhi). Illnesses and injuries suffered while on trek in remote areas often require rescue by helicopter. The cost is typically $3,000 to $10,000.
Arthropodborne diseases:
- Malaria
- Plague
- Japanese encephalitis
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
- Typhoid fever
- Brucellosis
- Cholora
- ETEC (E.coli)
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis E
- Giardiasis
- Echinococcosis
Other diseases:
- Hepatitis B
- Rabies
- Trachoma
Vaccination recommended:
- Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin
- Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
- Japanese encephalitis - only if you plan to visit rural areas for more than four weeks
- 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.
- 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 chloroquine and proguanil as malaria prophylaxisl in risk areas (Chloroquine resistance)
Compulsory vaccinations: yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas.
Recommended immunisations: diphtheria, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, *Japanese B encephalitis, *malaria, *meningitis, 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 all year in rural areas of the Terai districts (including forested hills & forest areas) of Bara, Dhanukha, Kapilvastu, Mahotari, Parsa, Rautahat, Rupendehi, Sarlahi and especially along the Indian border. Rabies.
Blood transfusion & tissue transplantation risk according to UK BTS:
- Malaria: Yes, All year in districts of Bara Dhanukha Kapilvastu Mahotari Parsa Rautahat Rupendehi and Sarlahi, May - October in Kavre district
- Maliaria Risk Category: B
- 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 Nepal
Food and Water Safety
HIV Risk
Check travelers health risks by CDC before, after and while traveling to Nepal and prevention before arrival at Nepal
Travel data, health safety, warnings and recommendations for Canadian who willing to visit Nepal
