Singapore
Travel Destination – Singapore
Singapore blends modern urban sophistication with rich cultural heritage and lush tropical landscapes. Visitors can explore bustling hawker centres offering iconic dishes like chilli crab and laksa, wander through heritage districts such as Chinatown and Little India, or relax in serene spaces like the Botanic Gardens and Gardens by the Bay. With world-class infrastructure, safe streets, and efficient transport, Singapore is one of Asia’s most accessible and traveller-friendly destinations.
Despite its high standard of living and advanced healthcare system, travellers should still prepare for potential health risks, including infectious diseases, foodborne illnesses, and travel-related conditions. Proper pre-travel planning ensures a safe and enjoyable visit.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Before travelling to Singapore, scheduling a consultation with a travel doctor is strongly recommended. This appointment allows your doctor to review your vaccination history, advise on routine immunisations, and discuss any destination-specific precautions. Singapore’s urban density, tropical climate, and extensive public spaces mean travellers can be exposed to seasonal influenza, gastroenteritis, and COVID-19, making preventive advice valuable.
Ideally, book your travel health consultation six to eight weeks before departure to allow time for vaccines or boosters. Even if your trip is imminent, a last-minute appointment can still provide accelerated vaccination schedules and essential guidance to manage hygiene and long-haul flight risks.
Insect avoidance
Although Singapore is a modern, highly urbanised city, mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever and zika virus, remain a relevant health consideration for travellers.
Travellers to Singapore should take consistent measures to prevent mosquito bites. Use an effective insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on exposed skin, and reapply according to product instructions, particularly in hot and humid conditions. Wearing loose-fitting, long-sleeved clothing when spending time outdoors can further reduce skin exposure. Accommodation with air-conditioning or intact window screens provides additional protection.
Food and water hygiene
Singapore’s food scene fuses rich laksa, zesty chilli crab, and smoky satay for a bold and unforgettable taste of the city. There are high food safety standards and safe tap water in Singapore. However, travellers can still develop gastroenteritis from contaminated food or poor hand hygiene. Symptoms may include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
To reduce risk, eat freshly prepared, well-cooked food, avoid items left at room temperature, and practise good hand hygiene before meals. Stay well hydrated if symptoms occur and seek medical care if illness is severe or persistent.
Rabies prevention
Rabies is rare in Singapore. Cases are typically linked to imported animals.
Although the risk to travellers is very low, any bite or scratch from a mammal should be treated seriously. Travellers should avoid contact with stray or wild animals. In the event of a bite or scratch, the wound should be immediately washed with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes, followed by prompt medical assessment to determine whether further treatment is required.
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 Singapore?
Typhoid
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Typhoid is caused by the bacteria Salmonella Typhi and is spread through contaminated food and water. Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea, or constipation, and illness can be severe without treatment. Typhoid is more common in Singapore than in Australia, so travellers who have not been vaccinated should strongly consider immunisation before departure, especially if eating street food or staying with local families. Vaccination reduces the risk, but good food and water hygiene remain essential.
Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A is a viral liver infection acquired through consuming contaminated food or water. Early signs can include tiredness, nausea, abdominal discomfort, and later, yellow skin or dark urine. While Singapore's sanitation standards are high, the risk of Hepatitis A is higher than in Australia, where routine vaccination is uncommon. If you haven’t completed the two-dose vaccine course, immunisation before travel is recommended.
Hepatitis B
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Hepatitis B is a long-term viral infection of the liver that is transmitted when infected blood or bodily fluids enter the body, often through unprotected sex, shared personal items, or procedures like tattooing done without proper sterilisation. Many adults in Australia lack immunity because the vaccine was not always included in earlier schedules. Travellers heading to Singapore who have not been vaccinated, especially when staying for extended periods or engaging in higher-risk activities, should consider the Hepatitis B vaccine. Your travel doctor can check your vaccination status and provide personalised advice.
Japanese encephalitis virus
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For most people who contract 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. Prevention involves avoidance of mosquito bites, particularly at dusk and night-time. An immunisation against Japanese Encephalitis virus is available and your doctor may recommend this depending on your length of stay.
Routine vaccinations
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Before travelling to Singapore, ensure all routine immunisations are up to date in accordance with the Australian National Immunisation Program. This includes tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR). Although these infections are uncommon in Australia, the likelihood of exposure is increased with international travel. Booster doses may be required depending on age, previous vaccination history, and time since last dose.
A pre-travel consultation can help determine whether these vaccinations are recommended for your itinerary.
Singapore
Other health risks in Singapore
Gastroenteritis
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While Singapore has high standards of food safety and water treatment, travellers can still develop gastroenteritis, usually from bacteria in contaminated food or beverages. Symptoms typically include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and occasionally mild fever, usually appearing within 24–72 hours of exposure.
Most cases are self-limiting and resolve within a few days with proper hydration, ideally using oral rehydration solutions. Severe, persistent, or unusual symptoms should prompt medical evaluation. To reduce risk, travellers should wash hands before eating, choose freshly cooked and hot foods, and peel fruits before eating. Ensure that tap water and ice made from it is safe to drink, or if unsure, drink water that is bottled, boiled, or filtered.
Rabies
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Rabies is rare in Singapore. Cases are typically linked to imported animals.
Although the risk to travellers is very low, any bite or scratch from a mammal should be treated seriously. Travellers should avoid contact with stray or wild animals. In the event of a bite or scratch, the wound should be immediately washed with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes, followed by prompt medical assessment to determine whether further treatment is required.
Dengue
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Dengue fever is a viral infection spread by daytime-biting mosquitoes, particularly in urban areas. Symptoms include high fever, fatigue, severe muscle and joint pain, headache, and rash. Most first-time infections resolve within one to two weeks, but severe complications can occur which are more common with repeat infections, such as bleeding, shock, or organ damage, which can be life-threatening without prompt medical care. For travellers, the primary protection against dengue is diligent mosquito bite prevention, including using repellent, wearing long sleeves and trousers, and avoiding areas with standing water where mosquitoes breed.
Zika
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Zika in Singapore is spread by daytime-biting Aedes mosquitoes. Most infections are mild, but infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects. There is no vaccine, so prevention relies on mosquito avoidance, using repellent, protective clothing, and staying in screened or air-conditioned areas.
If you are one of a couple planning pregnancy, speak to a travel doctor regarding additional precautions you can take.
Non-infectious conditions
Deep vein thrombosis
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Long flights to Singapore and extended periods of sedentary travel, such as bus or car journeys, can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT occurs when blood clots form in the deep veins, usually in the legs, and can lead to serious complications if not treated promptly.
Travellers can reduce risk by moving regularly during long trips, stretching legs while seated, and staying well hydrated. Those with additional risk factors may benefit from wearing compression stockings or seeking personalised advice from a travel doctor before departure.
Heat related illness
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Singapore’s tropical climate can lead to heat stress, sunburn, or dehydration. Wear light, breathable clothing, apply sunscreen regularly, and drink sufficient water, especially when exploring outdoor markets or gardens.
Crime and unrest
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Singapore is widely regarded as a safe travel destination, with low rates of violent crime. Petty crime such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, or theft can occur, particularly in crowded tourist areas, public transport hubs, and markets. Travellers are advised to remain vigilant, secure valuables, and be mindful of their surroundings.
It is recommended to avoid any protests or large gatherings, follow local authority instructions, and monitor travel updates from Smartraveller before and during your visit.