Health
Vaccinations
- Mandatory: Yellow fever vaccination certificate when entering from a yellow fever area
- Strongly recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid
- Recommended (for longer stays/rural areas): Rabies (many stray dogs!), Japanese encephalitis
- Standard refresh: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio
- Travel medical advice: Consult a tropical medicine specialist at least 6–8 weeks before the trip
Malaria & Dengue
Malaria: Risk in rural areas below 1,000 m altitude (Chin State, Kachin State, rural Rakhine State). In Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, and at Inle Lake: low to no risk. Malaria prophylaxis recommended for remote areas — discuss with a tropical medicine specialist. Consistent mosquito protection (DEET, long clothing in the evening) is the most important prevention.
Dengue: Occurs throughout Myanmar, especially in the rainy season (June–October). Transmitted by daytime mosquitoes. Consistently use DEET mosquito protection. There is no prophylaxis against dengue.
Medical Care
In Yangon, there are acceptable private clinics (Pun Hlaing Hospital, Victoria Hospital, Asia Royal Hospital). Outside of Yangon, medical care is very limited to rudimentary. In Bagan, at Inle Lake, and in Mandalay, there are clinics for basic care, but for serious cases, evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore is necessary.
Travel health insurance with repatriation is absolutely essential! Ensure your insurance also covers evacuation by air ambulance.
Drinking Water & Stomach
Tap water is NOT drinkable. Always buy bottled water (200–500 MMK for 1.5 liters). Use bottled water even for brushing teeth. Ice cubes in restaurants and hotels are generally okay (industrially produced). Street food ice: at your own risk. Stomach upsets are not uncommon in Myanmar — Imodium and electrolyte powder should be in your travel pharmacy.
