Health risks

The Philippines is a developing democratic republic located in South East Asia. The archipelago consists of more than 7,000 islands, of which 880 are inhabited. The major islands are Luzon in the north, Visayas in the center, and Mindanao in the south. Tourist facilities are available within population centers and main tourist areas. English is widely spoken in the Philippines, and most signs are in English.

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CRIME : Crime is a serious concern in Manila. Reports of confidence games, pick-pocketing and credit card fraud are common.. Criminals have administered drugs via proffered drinks to unwitting visitors in order to facilitate robbery and assault.

Visitors should also be vigilant when using credit cards. One form of credit card fraud involves the illicit use of an electronic device to retrieve and record information, including the PIN, from the card’s magnetic strip. The information is then used to make unauthorized purchases.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Adequate medical care is available in major cities but is limited in rural and more remote areas. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Arthropodborne diseases:

Dengue fever
Filariasis
Japanese enchephalitis
Malaria in rural regions below 600 m, except in Bohol, Catanduanes, Cebu, and Manila

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 chloroquine and proguanil below 600 m except in Bohol, Catanduanes, Cebu and Manila (chloroquine resistance)

Compulsory vaccinations: yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas. Exempt infants under 1 year.

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 all year below 600 metres, except in provinces of Bohol, Catanduanes, Cebu and metropolitan Manila. There is low risk in the provinces of Aklan, Biliran, Camiguin, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Leyte del Sur, Northern Samar & Siquijor. No risk in urban areas or in the plains. Rabies.

Blood transfusion & tissue transplantation risk according to UK BTS:

Malaria: Yes, Risk present below 600m in rural areas except in the island provinces of Aklan Bilaran Bohol Camiguin Capiz Catanduanes Cebu Guimaras Iloilo Leyte Masbate northern Samar Sequijor and metropolitan Manila, Risk is small in the plains to the north of Manila and in other major cities.
Maliaria Risk Category: C
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 Philippines
Food and Water Safety
HIV Risk
Check travelers health risks by CDC before, after and while traveling to Philippines and prevention before arrival at Philippines.

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