Kuwait
Travel Destination – Kuwait
Kuwait City sits at the top of the Persian Gulf, a small but densely urban nation that draws visitors through its combination of striking modernity and preserved cultural heritage. The Kuwait Towers on the waterfront are the country's most recognisable landmark, their distinctive blue sphere design visible from across the city. The Grand Mosque and the Seif Palace complex feature the country's royal architecture and the old souqs of Mubarakiya offer copper goods, spices, traditional cloth, and local food.
Beyond the capital, Kuwait's open desert provides an opportunity for desert camping in the cooler months, with dunes and oases accessible within an hour of the city. Failaka Island, a short boat trip from the city, holds archaeological remains of Greek, Bronze Age, and Islamic settlements. The island's history as an ancient trading post speaks to Kuwait's position on long-standing maritime routes. The Kuwaiti coast offers pleasant waterfront walks, traditional dhow vessels moored along the Salmiya corniche, and fresh seafood at waterside restaurants.
Healthcare in Kuwait City includes both public and private facilities, with some private hospitals offering high-quality services. It is worth noting that some public hospitals may not accept foreign nationals, and medical evacuation insurance is advisable. Pre-travel health preparation is worthwhile for any visitor.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Visiting a travel doctor before heading to Kuwait is a sensible step for most Australian travellers, ideally four to six weeks before departure. Vaccine-preventable diseases can pose a risk, and a doctor will review your individual vaccination history to provide advice tailored to your specific travel plans. Travellers with a compressed timeframe before departure should still attend a consultation without delay. Certain vaccines require two or more doses spread across several weeks, and earlier planning provides more flexibility.
All prescription medications should be obtained in Australia before departure, and medical evacuation insurance is advisable even for a destination with generally reasonable healthcare access, given that private facilities may require upfront payment and some hospitals have limitations on treating foreign nationals. Heat-related conditions are a practical health concern in Kuwait, particularly from June through September when temperatures regularly exceed 50 degrees Celsius, and this should be factored into any itinerary planning, particularly for outdoor activities.
Insect avoidance
A risk of insect and tick-borne diseases is present in some areas of Kuwait, encompassing conditions such as leishmaniasis, which is transmitted by sandflies, particularly in rural and desert areas.
There are no vaccines or preventive medications available against leishmaniasis and many insect-borne conditions, making personal protective measures the primary form of defence. Insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin should be applied to exposed skin during outdoor activities, particularly during evening hours when sandfly activity increases. Wearing long sleeves and trousers provides a useful additional layer of physical protection. Ticks should be checked for after any time spent in desert or grassland terrain, and any attached ticks removed promptly.
Food and water hygiene
Kuwaiti cuisine blends Arabian, Persian, and Indian culinary influences, with dishes including the spiced rice dish machboos, fresh seafood, and a rich array of Arabic mezze and sweets. Follow food and water hygiene precautions to enjoy the local cuisine whilst reducing the risk of gastroenteritis.
Tap water in Kuwait is sourced from desalination plants and is technically treated, though many residents and visitors prefer bottled water for drinking, particularly given the high mineral content and taste variability. Using bottled water for drinking is advisable throughout the stay. Before eating, washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, or hand sanitiser when washing facilities are unavailable, reduces the risk of foodborne illness considerably. Food that is freshly prepared and served hot is the safest choice, and caution is warranted with anything buffet-style or pre-prepared at ambient temperature.
Rabies prevention
Rabies is a concern in Kuwait, as it is across many parts of the Middle East. Although confirmed cases in domestic animals within Kuwait are not well documented, bats may carry rabies-like viruses, and stray and unfamiliar animals can carry the disease. Rabies is a deadly disease, so any bite or scratch from a potentially infected animal requires prompt medical attention. Preventive therapy is highly effective in this situation. The virus is almost always fatal once clinical symptoms develop.
All physical contact with animals throughout the visit should be avoided. Children are at increased risk because they are less likely to avoid animals and may not always report a bite or scratch promptly. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is recommended for travellers working with or around animals, those working in wildlife or laboratory settings, those travelling to remote areas, and for longer-term visitors.
Any bite, scratch, or lick to broken skin from any animal requires the wound to be washed immediately and thoroughly with soap and running water, followed by prompt medical assessment, regardless of prior vaccination status.
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 Kuwait?
Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver acquired through food or water that has been contaminated with the virus. The illness can range from mild fatigue and nausea to significant jaundice and weeks of ill health, with more serious disease typically occurring in older adults.
Vaccination for hepatitis A recommended for travellers to Kuwait whose activities bring them into contact with the local population, those staying with friends or relatives, those eating from informal street or market vendors, and frequent or longer-stay visitors. Two doses provide lasting long-term protection, and confirmation of vaccination history with a travel doctor is worthwhile for all visitors.
Typhoid
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Typhoid fever is a systemic bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi, entering the body through contaminated food or water. It produces a characteristic pattern of sustained high fever, headache, fatigue, and abdominal discomfort, and can progress to serious complications without antibiotic treatment.
Typhoid fever vaccination is recommended for most travellers to Kuwait, particularly those eating outside well-managed hotel restaurants, visiting smaller areas, staying with local families, or travelling to more rural parts of the country. The vaccine provides meaningful but partial protection, and food and water hygiene remains an important complement to vaccination throughout the trip.
Rabies
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Rabies is a concern in Kuwait, as it is across many parts of the Middle East. Although confirmed cases in domestic animals within Kuwait are not well documented, bats may carry rabies-like viruses, and stray and unfamiliar animals can carry the disease. Rabies is a deadly disease, so any bite or scratch from a potentially infected animal requires prompt medical attention. Preventive therapy is highly effective in this situation. The virus is almost always fatal once clinical symptoms develop.
All physical contact with animals throughout the visit should be avoided. Children are at increased risk because they are less likely to avoid animals and may not always report a bite or scratch promptly. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is recommended for travellers working with or around animals, those working in wildlife or laboratory settings, those travelling to remote areas, and for longer-term visitors.
Any bite, scratch, or lick to broken skin from any animal requires the wound to be washed immediately and thoroughly with soap and running water, followed by prompt medical assessment, regardless of prior vaccination status.
Measles
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Measles is a highly contagious airborne viral illness that produces fever, cough, and a distinctive spreading rash, and can cause serious complications including pneumonia and, in rare cases, brain inflammation. The virus spreads with exceptional efficiency in enclosed spaces and can remain viable in the air for an extended period after an infected person has left, with international travel increasing risk of transmission.
All Australian travellers born in 1966 or later heading overseas should hold two documented MMR doses before departure, covering for measles, mumps and rubella. Those who are unsure whether they are covered should confirm their status with a travel doctor.
Hepatitis B
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Protection against hepatitis B is worth reviewing before travel to Kuwait. This viral infection affects the liver and can be acquired when infected blood or bodily fluids enter the body. Potential exposures include sexual contact, tattooing or piercing with contaminated equipment, and medical or dental treatment involving inadequate sterilisation. Longer stays or the possibility of needing healthcare while overseas can further support considering vaccination.
Although hepatitis B vaccination has been part of childhood immunisation programs in Australia, not all adults are protected. Check your vaccination records before departure and speak with a travel doctor if you are unsure whether you have received a complete course.
Mpox
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Mpox (formerly monkeypox) is a viral infection spread mainly through close physical or intimate contact with an infected person. It can cause a characteristic rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache and muscle aches.
Mpox vaccination is not routinely advised for all travellers to Kuwait. Vaccination may be recommended for travellers with a higher likelihood of exposure, particularly those anticipating sexual or intimate contact with new partners or other activities associated with increased transmission risk. Discuss your individual risk and vaccination needs with a travel doctor before departure.
Routine vaccinations
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Visiting Kuwait is a practical reason to ensure all standard immunisations are fully current, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), hepatitis B, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. A tetanus booster is worthwhile if more than ten years have elapsed since the previous dose. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all travellers, noting that Kuwait's influenza season runs from November through April, different from Australia's seasonal pattern. COVID-19 vaccination should be current in accordance with Australian public health guidance, including booster doses for those aged 65 and over or with relevant underlying health conditions.
Kuwait
Other health risks in Kuwait
Gastroenteritis
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Food and waterborne gastrointestinal infections such as gastroenteritis are a common health concern for travellers in Kuwait. Bacteria, viruses and parasites can be acquired through contaminated food or water, with greater risk where food handling, refrigeration or hygiene practices are inconsistent, including some informal stalls, markets and restaurants.
Symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal cramps and vomiting usually develop within one to three days of exposure. Most uncomplicated cases settle within a few days, with oral rehydration being the mainstay of treatment. Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe, bloody or accompanied by fever.
Dengue
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Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted mainly by infected Aedes mosquitoes, which can bite during the day and around dusk. Infection may cause sudden fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint aches, nausea and rash. Most people recover within a week, but a small proportion develop severe dengue, which can cause bleeding, fluid loss and organ complications.
Travellers to Kuwait should reduce mosquito exposure by using insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin, wearing clothing that covers exposed skin, and staying in screened or air-conditioned accommodation where possible. There is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue and for most travellers, prevention is the main protection. Seek medical care if you develop a high fever or worsening symptoms during or after travel, particularly if there are signs of bleeding, severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting or marked weakness.
MERS-CoV
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Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a viral respiratory illness that may spread to people from camels. Kuwait, as a country within the Arabian Peninsula, is one of the geographic regions where MERS-CoV has been documented.
The overall risk to travellers is low, but contact with camels, including visiting camel markets, riding camels, or consuming raw camel milk or camel products, should be avoided. Hands should be washed thoroughly after any animal contact. Travellers who develop fever and respiratory symptoms during or after a visit to Kuwait should seek medical assessment and inform their doctor of any animal contact.
Leishmaniasis
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Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infection transmitted through the bites of infected sandflies, which are present in parts of Kuwait, particularly in areas bordering the desert. The cutaneous form, which causes persistent skin ulcers at the site of sandfly bites, is the type most likely to be encountered by travellers.
There is no vaccine or preventive medication for leishmaniasis. Protection relies on reducing sandfly bite exposure by applying insect repellent in the evenings, wearing long-sleeved clothing when outdoors in sandfly-prone environments, and using fine-mesh or permethrin-treated bed nets. Any slow-healing skin sore developing after travel to Kuwait should be assessed by a doctor with travel history provided.
Tuberculosis
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Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne bacterial infection that can be transmitted when a person with active disease coughs, speaks, or sings nearby. TB primarily affecting the lungs and producing a persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. The risk to most short-stay travellers to Kuwait is low. Those spending extended periods in the country, working in healthcare settings, or in close ongoing contact with communities where tuberculosis is more prevalent face a higher risk of exposure. A persistent cough developing after travel to Kuwait should be reported to a general practitioner alongside full travel history.
Non-infectious conditions
Heat-related illness
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Extreme heat is one of the most practically significant health risks for travellers to Kuwait, particularly between June and September when temperatures regularly exceed 50 degrees Celsius and can make outdoor activity genuinely dangerous for extended periods. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can develop rapidly in these conditions, particularly for those not acclimatised to dry desert heat or those engaging in outdoor physical activity during the hottest hours of the day.
Travellers should drink water consistently throughout the day without waiting until thirst develops. Wear lightweight and light-coloured clothing, apply broad-spectrum sunscreen when outdoors and seek shade regularly. Avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the peak heat of the midday and afternoon hours. Elderly travellers, children, and those with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions are at higher risk of heat-related illness and should take additional precautions.
Crime and unrest
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The Australian government's Smartraveller website features up-to-date safety information and advice for travellers. Travellers should keep valuables secured and remain alert in crowded public areas. Incidents of robbery and petty crime have been reported in certain areas, including Jahra and Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, and additional care is worthwhile in these locations.
Kuwait has unexploded remnants of war, including landmines, in some desert areas and on certain beaches. Travellers should not stray from well-travelled roads in desert areas and should not pick up or touch any unfamiliar metal or plastic objects encountered outdoors. Protests and demonstrations should be avoided. Cultural norms around dress, behaviour in public, and consumption of alcohol differ significantly from Australia, and travellers should familiarise themselves with local expectations and laws before visiting. Travellers should check Smartraveller before and during their trip for the most current advice, as regional conditions can change.
Safety on the roads and elsewhere
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Road conditions on Kuwait’s main urban routes are generally good, but high speeds and reckless driving, particularly at night, can make travel hazardous. Sand and dust storms may rapidly reduce visibility, while seasonal flooding can temporarily disrupt roads and infrastructure.
Avoid unmarked desert tracks, where extreme heat, disorientation and limited mobile coverage can pose additional risks. Travellers undertaking desert or off-road activities should carry sufficient water, communication equipment and emergency supplies, and share their planned route and return time with someone before departure.
Deep vein thrombosis
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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. Long flights from Australia to Kuwait, often involving extended periods of sitting, can slow blood flow in the legs and increase the risk of DVT.
Travellers can reduce this risk by walking around the cabin regularly, performing in-seat exercises such as ankle rotations and calf raises, and staying well hydrated. Those with risk factors such as a previous blood clot, recent surgery, pregnancy, hormonal contraception or significant overweight should discuss whether compression stockings are appropriate with a travel doctor before departure.