Jordan
Travel Destination – Jordan
Jordan is a richly layered destination, where ancient civilisations and striking landscapes intersect. From the rose-red façades of Petra to the vast, otherworldly expanse of Wadi Rum, and the lively, contemporary pulse of Amman, the country offers diverse travel experiences.
Visitors may wander through well-preserved Roman cities such as Jerash, descend to the mineral-dense waters of the Dead Sea, or journey through desert valleys under expansive night skies.
Urban locations often have dependable infrastructure and available medical care. However, travel health planning and disease prevention measures help travellers to focus on the experience rather than avoidable illness.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
A structured pre-travel consultation is recommended for Australians visiting Jordan, ideally six to eight weeks prior to departure. This allows sufficient time to review vaccination history, administer any required vaccines, and provide tailored advice based on itinerary and planned activities.
During a travel health consultation, a clinician can do more than simply administer vaccines. They can assess individual risk based on your itinerary, considering factors such as time spent in urban versus rural settings, participation in outdoor or desert activities. A travel doctor can prescribe medications where appropriate, and provide practical guidance on managing common travel-related illnesses. Advice may also include strategies for insect bite prevention, food and water safety, heat exposure, and safe behaviours abroad. For travellers with pre-existing medical conditions, a travel doctor can assist with medication planning, documentation, and contingency planning, ensuring continuity of care while overseas.
Even when departure is imminent, a consultation remains valuable for updating essential vaccinations and reinforcing preventive strategies. Ensuring adequate travel insurance, including cover for medical evacuation, is also essential.
Food and water hygiene
Jordanian cuisine is rich and varied, featuring grilled meats, fresh breads, legumes, and shared dishes such as mezze, making food a central part of the travel experience.
Despite this, gastrointestinal illness remains a common issue among travellers. Infection is usually acquired through food or water contaminated with bacteria, and can present with diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal cramps, and occasionally vomiting. Onset typically occurs within one to three days of exposure.
Preventive measures include strict hand hygiene, consuming freshly cooked and thoroughly heated foods, and drinking bottled or treated water. Travellers should avoid raw or unwashed produce, unpasteurised dairy products, and ice from uncertain sources. Maintaining hydration is essential if illness occurs, and medical review is recommended for severe or persistent symptoms.
Rabies prevention
Rabies is present in Jordan, primarily in dogs and other mammals. Although the risk to short-term travellers is low, prevention remains important and any exposure must be taken seriously. Transmission occurs through bites, scratches, or contact with infected saliva.
Travellers should avoid all contact with stray or unfamiliar animals. Pre-exposure vaccination may be considered for those spending extended periods in rural areas or engaging in activities with increased animal exposure. Immediate medical attention is required following any potential exposure, as timely post-exposure prophylaxis can be critical in preventing fatal illness.
Insect avoidance
In Jordan, the risk of insect-borne disease is generally low, but travellers should be aware of leishmaniasis, which is transmitted by sandflies. This infection most commonly affects the skin, causing sores that may take time to heal. While the overall risk is low, exposure is more likely in rural or desert areas, particularly during warmer months.
Taking simple precautions can help reduce the risk of insect bites. When outdoors—especially in the evening and overnight—wearing loose-fitting clothing that covers the arms and legs can provide a protective barrier. Applying insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin to exposed skin offers additional protection.
Accommodation in Jordan is often well screened or air-conditioned, which helps minimise indoor exposure to insects. However, travellers should remain cautious in outdoor settings, particularly in areas where sandflies may be present.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Jordan?
Hepatitis A
+
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver and is most commonly spread through contaminated food or drinking water. Symptoms can range from mild fatigue and nausea to jaundice, dark urine, and, in some cases, more severe illness. While hepatitis A is uncommon in Australia, it is more prevalent in countries such as Jordan, particularly where food and water hygiene standards may vary.
Travellers who have not completed the full two-dose hepatitis A vaccination are generally advised to be immunised before travelling to Jordan, especially if they plan to eat outside of major hotels, visit smaller towns, or spend time in rural areas. The vaccine provides reliable, long-lasting protection against this preventable infection.
Typhoid fever
+
Typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella Typhi, is transmitted through contaminated food and water and remains a consideration for travellers to Jordan, particularly those visiting smaller towns or eating in informal settings.
Symptoms of typhoid include prolonged fever, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal disturbance. Vaccination may be recommended depending on itinerary and risk profile, which can be discussed with a travel doctor. Preventive measures, including careful food and water hygiene, remain essential regardless of vaccination status.
Measles
+
Measles remains an important consideration when travelling internationally, despite low local transmission in Australia due to high vaccination coverage. Measles is an extremely contagious viral infection spread via respiratory droplets and airborne transmission, capable of lingering in the air for prolonged periods.
In Jordan and surrounding regions, cases continue to be reported, particularly in areas with variable vaccination uptake. Infection typically presents with fever, cough, conjunctivitis, and a characteristic widespread rash. Travellers born during or after 1966 should ensure they have received two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine prior to travel. Given the ease with which measles spreads in crowded environments such as airports, public transport, and tourist sites, vaccination remains the most effective preventive measure.
Routine vaccinations
+
For Australian travellers, routine immunisation provides a strong foundation of protection, but immunity should be reviewed rather than assumed. Before travelling to Jordan, it is important to ensure that all standard vaccinations are up to date, including measles, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, as well as seasonal influenza and COVID-19. Additional vaccines may also be recommended depending on age, occupation, or underlying health conditions.
A pre-travel consultation with a qualified healthcare professional allows for a thorough review of vaccination history, identification of any gaps in protection, and administration of booster doses where needed. This is particularly important for adults who may not have received recent boosters or are unsure of their immunisation status.
Jordan
Other health risks in Jordan
Gastroenteritis
+
Gastroenteritis remains one of the most frequently encountered health issues among travellers to Jordan, even in the context of improving food safety standards. Commonly referred to as traveller’s diarrhoea, this condition is typically acquired through ingestion of food or water contaminated with bacteria which can be ingested through food from informal vendors, inadequately refrigerated items, and raw or underprepared ingredients. Gastroenteritis can also be caused by viruses which can be spread in crowded locations or through poor hygiene.
Symptoms often develop within one to three days and may include diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, nausea, and occasionally vomiting or low-grade fever. While most cases are mild and self-limiting, they can significantly disrupt travel plans. The cornerstone of management is maintaining adequate hydration, ideally with oral rehydration solutions that replace both fluids and electrolytes. Medical attention should be sought if symptoms are severe, prolonged, associated with dehydration, or include blood in the stool or high fever.
Rabies
+
Rabies is present in Jordan, primarily in dogs and other mammals. Although the risk to short-term travellers is low, prevention remains important and any exposure must be taken seriously. Transmission occurs through bites, scratches, or contact with infected saliva.
Travellers should avoid all contact with stray or unfamiliar animals. Pre-exposure vaccination may be considered for those spending extended periods in rural areas or engaging in activities with increased animal exposure. Immediate medical attention is required following any potential exposure, as timely post-exposure prophylaxis is critical. Rabies is almost universally fatal once symptoms have developed.
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
+
MERS is a type of coronavirus infection associated with the Arabian Peninsula, with transmission linked to contact with camels or healthcare settings. It can result in severe illness. While Jordan has reported cases in the past, risk to travellers is low.
Travellers should avoid close contact with camels and practise good hand hygiene. Medical review is recommended for respiratory symptoms during or after travel, particularly if exposure risk is identified.
Tuberculosis (TB)
+
Tuberculosis is present at low to moderate levels in Jordan. It is transmitted via airborne droplets during prolonged close contact with an infected individual.
Short-term travellers have minimal risk; however, those spending extended periods in the country or working in healthcare settings may have increased exposure. Pre-travel assessment can determine whether screening is appropriate.
Non-infectious conditions
Crime and unrest
+
Refer to the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website before planning travel to Jordan. Travellers should remain alert and aware of their surroundings, avoiding large gatherings and following local advice. Monitoring for official updates is essential throughout the trip.
Deep vein thrombosis
+
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is an important consideration for Australians travelling to Jordan, particularly given the long-haul flights required to reach the region. DVT occurs when blood clots form in the deep veins, most commonly in the legs, and may lead to serious complications if a clot travels to the lungs. Prolonged immobility during flights or extended travel is a key contributing factor.
For most healthy travellers, simple preventive measures are effective. These include standing and walking regularly during flights, performing calf muscle exercises while seated, wearing loose and comfortable clothing, and maintaining adequate hydration.
For those at increased risk, additional strategies such as graduated compression stockings may be beneficial, and pre-travel medical advice is recommended. Awareness of symptoms of DVT is important, as early recognition and treatment significantly reduce the risk of complications. Symptoms include leg swelling, pain, or redness, and unexplained shortness of breath after travel,