Myanmar
Travel Destination – Myanmar
Myanmar is a Southeast Asian destination known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and ancient religious sites, such as the Shwedagon Pagoda and the temples of Bagan. It’s famous for its golden pagodas, rugged mountains, vast plains, and a long coastline, alongside bustling, vibrant cities such as Yangon with its distinctive colonial architecture. Other attractions include floating villages, vibrant markets, and unique ethnic cultures.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
It’s a good idea to discuss your trip with a travel doctor. They will provide a detailed travel health plan tailored to your specific itinerary within Myanmar. Your doctor will also discuss your immunisations, provide scripts for the vaccines you decide on and check that you have prescriptions for any recommended medications. Ideally, book your appointment at least six to eight weeks before you travel, so that if you need multiple vaccinations these can be spaced out. With less time before you travel it is still worth seeing a travel doctor, as accelerated schedules of some vaccinations can be arranged.
Insect avoidance
Mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue fever and zika are present in various areas of Myanmar. Malaria is present in all areas of the country. Since there are no specific treatments for some of these infections, preventing insect bites is essential. Use insect repellants containing DEET, picardin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) on exposed skin. Wear long pants, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitos are most active. Choose accommodation with airconditioning or secure fly screens. If sleeping outdoors or in basic accommodation use a mosquito net ideally one treated with permethrin. Mosquito coils and electrical vaporising mats can also be useful on verandas and other outdoor spaces.
Food and water hygiene
Enjoying Myanmar's vibrant, diverse street food and local dishes is one of the highlights of any trip. However, it's important to take precautions to reduce the risk of gastroenteritis and other food- borne illnesses. By using a few simple precautions, it is still possible to enjoy the local cuisine while minimising your risk of infections. Always wash your hands or use antiseptic hand gel prior to eating. Avoid raw, undercooked or reheated food, as well as buffets where food may sit at unsafe temperatures .Street food is safest when it has been cooked in front of you and fruits and vegetables are best when they can be peeled before consuming, like bananas and mangoes. Drink only boiled, filtered or bottled water and avoid untreated tap water and ice made from it.
Rabies prevention
Australia is one of the few parts of the world which is free of rabies. Elsewhere, rabies can be carried by dogs, monkeys and other mammals and transmitted by their bites and scratches. Dogs infected with rabies are commonly found in Myanmar. If rabies exposure occurs while in Myanmar, rabies vaccines may only be available in larger suburban/urban medical facilities. The key preventive strategy is to avoid animals. Unless you will be working with animals or travelling to remote areas with limited access to health care, rabies vaccination may not be required prior to travel. It is best to discuss this with your doctor who will determine whether you should receive the pre-exposure vaccine before travel. If you are bitten while in Myanmar you should seek medical attention immediately. You can be protected from fatal infection using a specific treatment which includes rabies immunisation.
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 Myanmar?
Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A is an acute viral infection of the liver acquired by ingesting contaminated food or water. Illness varies in severity and can occasionally be severe and life-threatening. While the prevalence in most Australian communities is low, the virus is more common in Asia, including Myanmar. People who haven’t previously received a two-dose course of Hepatitis A vaccination are recommended to be immunised prior to travel to Myanmar.
Typhoid
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Typhoid is a systemic bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi. Contracted through ingestion of contaminated food or water, it causes high fevers, fatigue, headaches, abdominal pain and gastrointestinal upset. In Myanmar the risk is higher in areas with limited sanitation and among travellers who eat from street vendors or local markets. A typhoid vaccine is available which provides three years of protection. This may be recommended by your doctor if you plan on staying in the country for a prolonged period, are visiting rural regions, staying with friends, relatives or are at risk for other reasons.
Hepatitis B
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The hepatitis B virus can cause long-term infection of the liver. It is transmitted through sexual contact and sharing of personal items like shaving razors. Infections can vary in severity and may require prolonged courses of antiviral medication. Hepatitis B vaccination is now a part of the routine vaccination schedule in Australia. The immunisation may be recommended for travellers of all ages to Myanmar who have not had it previously and will be making frequent trips, spending prolonged periods in the country or engaging in activities that increase their risk of exposure. The vaccine offers long-lasting protection.
Japanese encephalitis virus
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For most people who contract mosquito-borne Japanese encephalitis virus, the illness is mild and many do not even notice they have been infected. For a small number, however, it leads to life-threatening infection of the brain requiring admission to an intensive care unit. Japanese encephalitis is prevalent throughout rural Myanmar, particularly near rice paddies and pig farms. The risk is highest in these areas during the rainy season and for travellers planning to engage in activities that involve extended periods outdoors, such as hiking or camping. Prevention involves avoidance of mosquito bites, particularly at dusk and night-time. An immunisation against the Japanese encephalitis virus is available and your doctor may recommend this depending on your length of stay and itinerary.
Routine vaccinations
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In Australia, the transmission of many common infections are kept at very low levels through widespread routine immunisation. This is not always the case in other countries, and rates of infections such as measles, mumps and rubella may be much higher than at home. The lead up to overseas trips is a good time to review your routine vaccinations and get boosters where you need them. If you're travelling to Myanmar this may include immunisations against influenza, COVID-19, measles, tetanus, chickenpox, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis and polio.
Myanmar
Other health risks in Myanmar
Malaria
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Malaria is a parasitic infection of the liver and red blood cells which causes high fevers, fatigue and muscle aches. In its most severe form, it can cause severe anaemia and brain infection which are rapidly life-threatening.There is a risk of transmission in all areas of Myanmar. Prevention involves mosquito avoidance, particularly from dusk to dawn, and taking preventive anti-malarial tablets if you are travelling to an area where malaria is known to occur. Your travel doctor will advise whether malarial tablets are recommended, depending on your itinerary.
Dengue
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Dengue fever is one of the most common infections among Australian travellers to Myanmar. Transmitted by mosquitoes, the dengue fever virus causes fever, fatigue, muscle and joint pains, and rash. The first time they are infected, most people recover in one to two weeks. When more severe forms of dengue fever occur, it is usually in the context of repeat infection. In these cases, complications of bleeding and dangerously low blood pressure can occur which may be fatal without appropriate treatment. For travellers to Myanmar prevention generally relies on effective mosquito avoidance. Mosquitoes transmitting dengue fever virus are more common in urban areas and tend to bite during the day.
Rabies
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The rabies virus is carried by dogs, cats, monkeys and other mammals in most parts of the world, and transmitted mainly through their bites and scratches. Australia is one of the few countries where rabies transmission does not occur. Dogs infected with rabies are commonly found in Myanmar. Once symptoms have started, the illness is almost universally fatal. Prevention involves avoiding animals, particularly dogs, cats and monkeys. A vaccine is available for use prior to travel. It is recommended for those who will be working with or spending considerable time with animals and those who will be travelling to areas with limited health care. In the event of an animal bite, vaccination is required to protect against the development of symptoms, even if the person has received earlier immunisation. This needs to be started as soon as possible, so those suffering an animal bite in Myanmar should seek immediate medical attention.
Gastroenteritis
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Gastroenteritis or travellers’ diarrhoea is usually caused by bacteria ingested in contaminated food or water. Bacteria commonly responsible include Campylobacter, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella. In cases of bacterial infection, symptoms typically begin within 24 to 72 hours and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
The most important aspect of treatment is maintenance of adequate hydration. This can be achieved with oral rehydration solutions which replaces fluid and salts. Antibiotics are usually reserved for cases of severe or pronged infection or when the patient has risk factors for complications.
The illness usually resolves on its own in one to three days. Medical attention is required, when symptoms are not typical, when they are prolonged or severe, or at any time when it is not possible to replace fluids faster than they are being lost. Prevention revolves around good hand hygiene before eating and avoidance of high-risk foods and drinks.
Non-infectious conditions
Deep vein thrombosis
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Prolonged air, road and rail travel all carry with them the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This involves a solidifying of blood inside a blood vessel, caused by relative stasis in the flow of blood. Prevention involves getting up to move around at regular intervals during a long trip, staying well hydrated and, for those at risk of DVT, below-knee compression stockings can be worn. DVT is usually treated with blood-thinning medication.
Safety on the roads and elsewhere
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There is also ongoing civil unrest and armed conflict in certain parts of Myanmar, particularly in contested border areas. Before travelling to Myanmar it's important to check the latest travel advice provided by websites such as Smartraveller for up to date travel advice and country specific warnings.
If you're planning ride a motorbike in Myanmar ensure you have the necessary skills to ride, be aware of the road rules and always wear a properly fitted helmet. For other road transport options, choose alternatives with functioning seatbelts. If diving for the first time, choose an instructor who is well versed in all the necessary safety aspects. If you'are unfamiliar with hiking, wear boots which are already worn in, use sunscreen and insect repellent, pack light, stay within your limits when choosing your route and consult with local guides about any potential risk.
Regardless of what you're planning, it is a good idea to have travel insurance which covers the cost of medical repatriation if required.