Philippines : Travel Health
WARNING! This information is out-dated and likely to be inaccurate!
Researching Travel Plans
Please note that this health information about Philippines may be out-of-date.
Always research the current health conditions and issues in any region you plan to visit
prior to departure.
Infectious Diseases and Medical Concerns for Philippines
The following medical diseases or health concerns
are more common in travel to Philippines
(compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World):
More Common Diseases and Medical Concerns for Philippines
The following health concerns or diseases are more commonly found in Philippines
compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World:
- motor vehicle trauma - wear seatbelts and avoid night driving
- rabies and Herpes B from monkey bites
- corals, jellyfish, sea snakes and sea urchins may cause injury in marine waters
- sharks may cause injury in marine waters
Epidemics for Philippines
The following health concerns, diseases or comments are related to epidemics in Philippines:
Vaccinations for Travel to Philippines
The following medical vaccinations are desirable or helpful for travel to Philippines
to prevent contagious diseases in Philippines:
- hepatitis A - or immune globulin (IG)
- hepatitis B if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months, or be exposed through medical treatment
- Japanese encephalitis only if you plan to visit rural areas for 4 weeks or more, except under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of Japanese encephalitis
- rabies - if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation
- typhoid
- tetanus - booster dose as needed
- diphtheria - booster dose as needed
- measles - booster dose as needed
Preventions or Health Precautions for Travel to Philippines
Any health risk of travel to Philippines may be reduced by the
following precautionary health measures when visiting Philippines:
- Take your malaria prevention medication before/during/after travel as directed
- high rate of motor vehicle trauma - avoid night driving and wear seatbelts
- mosquito bite prevention
- insect bite protection
- avoid drinking non-treated water - only drink bottled or canned water
- eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself
- keep feet clean and dry - help prevent parasitic infections
- do not go barefoot - help prevent parasitic infections
- always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
- don't eat food purchased from street vendors
- don't drink beverages with ice
- don't share needles with anyone
- don't handle animals (especially monkeys/dogs/cats) - to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague - risk for travelers is small)
- don't swim in fresh water. Salt water is usually safer
- avoid crowded public places and public transportation whenever possible
- take care when boating - poor maintainence of vessels may result in injury or drowning
- volcanoes may occur - take care and heed local precautions
- Earthquakes may occur - take care and heed local precautions
- typhoons may occur - take care and heed local precautions
Other Relevant Issues for Travel to Philippines
The following may be issues relevant to travel to Philippines:
- adequate medical care is available in Manilla and major cities but not to the standard of industrialized countries, medical care is substandard throughout the rest of the country
- foreigners seeking permanent residency will be tested for HIV
- there may be consular warnings against travel to the country
- check latest advice for updates
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