Southeast Asia Travel Health Guide

Essential Health Guide to Southeast Asia for UK Travellers

Southeast Asia attracts millions of travellers each year with its rich cultural heritage, stunning beaches, ancient temples, and vibrant cities. Countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, and the Philippines each offer unique experiences. However, to ensure your trip remains memorable for the right reasons, proper vaccination and health preparation are essential. This comprehensive guide provides UK travellers with vital information on recommended vaccinations and health precautions for Southeast Asian travel.

Essential Vaccinations for Southeast Asia

Routine Vaccinations

Before travelling to Southeast Asia, ensure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date:

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): Ensure you’ve had two doses
Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis: Booster recommended if you haven’t had one in the past 10 years
Polio: Included in childhood vaccinations in the UK, but a booster may be recommended for certain countries
Influenza: Recommended, especially if travelling during flu season

Highly Recommended Vaccinations

Hepatitis A

Recommendation: Strongly recommended for all travellers to Southeast Asia
Why: Hepatitis A is transmitted through contaminated food and water, which is a risk throughout the region
Timing: Ideally 2-4 weeks before travel, though can be given up to the day of departure
Protection: A single dose provides protection for approximately one year; a booster at 6-12 months provides longer-term immunity

Find out more about our Hepatitis A Vaccination.

Typhoid

Recommendation: Recommended for most travellers, particularly those visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or eating outside tourist restaurants
Why: Protects against typhoid fever, which is spread through contaminated food and water
Options: Available as an injection or oral capsules
Protection: 2-3 years, depending on the vaccine type

Find out more about our Typhoid Vaccination.

Hepatitis B

Recommendation: Recommended for travellers who may have close contact with locals, healthcare exposure, or sexual contact
Why: Transmitted through blood and body fluids
Timing: Requires multiple doses over 3-6 months (accelerated schedules available)
Protection: Long-term protection after completing the series

Find out more about our Hepatitis B Vaccination.

Additional Vaccinations to Consider

Japanese Encephalitis

Recommendation: Recommended for travellers spending a month or more in rural areas, or during rainy season, or those with extensive outdoor exposure
Risk areas: Present throughout the region, particularly in rural farming areas with rice paddies and pig farming
Timing: Two doses given 28 days apart (or 7 days apart with an accelerated schedule)
Protection: Approximately 1-2 years

Find out more about our Japanese Encephalitis Vaccination.

Rabies

Recommendation: Consider for travellers planning extended stays, working with animals, engaging in outdoor activities in remote areas, or where access to medical care might be limited
Why: Rabies is endemic in domestic and wild animals throughout Southeast Asia
Pre-exposure vaccination: Requires 2-3 doses depending on the schedule
Note: Even with pre-exposure vaccination, medical treatment is needed after potential exposure

Find out more about our Rabies Vaccination.

Cholera

Recommendation: Generally not recommended for most travellers
Consider for: Those working in refugee camps, areas with recent outbreaks, or in humanitarian disaster situations
Protection: Oral vaccine provides short-term protection

Country-Specific Requirements and Recommendations

Yellow Fever

No Southeast Asian countries have endemic yellow fever, but some require proof of vaccination if arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission:

Southeast Asia

Country	Yellow Fever Certificate Requirement
Thailand	Required if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission
Vietnam	Required if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission
Cambodia	Required if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission
Indonesia	Required if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission
Malaysia	Required if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission
Philippines	Required if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission
Myanmar	Required if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission
Laos	Required if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission

Important: The yellow fever certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination and remains valid for life.

Country-Specific Health Risks

Thailand

Malaria: Risk in rural, forested borders with Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar
Dengue fever: Present throughout, risk higher during rainy season
Japanese encephalitis: Risk in rural areas, particularly during rainy season
Leptospirosis: Risk from swimming in fresh water

Vietnam

Malaria: Risk in rural areas, particularly in highlands and borders
Japanese encephalitis: Throughout country, higher risk in northern provinces
Dengue fever: Risk throughout, especially in southern regions and cities
Avian influenza: Sporadic human cases from contact with infected poultry

Cambodia

Malaria: Present throughout rural areas, particularly in western provinces
Dengue fever: Endemic throughout
Schistosomiasis: Risk in freshwater areas
Melioidosis: Risk increases during rainy season

Indonesia

Malaria: Risk varies by island (high risk in Papua, low/no risk in Bali and Jakarta)
Dengue fever: Present throughout
Chikungunya: Periodic outbreaks
Rabies: High risk, particularly in Bali

Malaysia

Malaria: Risk in rural Borneo and the peninsular interior (not in urban or coastal areas)
Dengue fever: Endemic throughout
Japanese encephalitis: Risk in rural agricultural areas
Leptospirosis: Risk from adventure activities in freshwater

Philippines

Malaria: Present in rural areas of some islands (not Manila or major cities)
Dengue fever: Risk throughout
Japanese encephalitis: Risk in rural agricultural areas
Schistosomiasis: Risk in freshwater in specific regions

Myanmar

Malaria: Risk in rural areas (not in major cities like Yangon)
Japanese encephalitis: Risk in rural areas
Dengue fever: Present throughout
Filariasis: Endemic in some areas

Laos

Malaria: Risk in rural areas
Japanese encephalitis: Risk in rural areas, particularly during rainy season
Dengue fever: Endemic throughout
Schistosomiasis: Risk along certain river systems

Malaria Prevention

Malaria risk varies significantly across Southeast Asia:

High-risk areas: Rural borders of Thailand with Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos; rural Vietnam; rural Cambodia; rural Laos; rural Myanmar; parts of Indonesia (particularly eastern islands); rural Philippines
Low/no risk areas: Urban areas, major tourist destinations (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui, Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila)

Antimalarial options for Southeast Asia include:

Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)
Doxycycline
Mefloquine (in areas with no resistance)

The appropriate antimalarial medication depends on your specific itinerary, medical history, and current resistance patterns. Some areas of Southeast Asia have multidrug-resistant malaria, which influences the choice of prophylaxis.

Common Travel-Related Illnesses and Prevention

Traveller’s Diarrhoea

Risk: Very high throughout India

Prevention:

Careful selection of food and beverages
Hand hygiene
“Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it”

Treatment:

Oral rehydration
Loperamide for symptomatic relief
Antibiotics (e.g., azithromycin) for moderate to severe cases (prescription required)

Respiratory Infections

Risk: Common in urban areas with high pollution levels, particularly Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata

Prevention:

Consider masks (N95/PM2.5) in heavily polluted areas
Monitor air quality indices
Avoid outdoor exercise during high-pollution days
Consider portable air purifiers for extended stays

Treatment: Depends on the causative agent

Dengue Fever

Risk: Present throughout India, especially in urban areas and during the monsoon season

Prevention:

Daytime mosquito bite prevention (Aedes mosquitoes bite during daylight hours)
No vaccine available for travellers

Symptoms: High fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, rash

Treatment: Supportive care, no specific antiviral treatment

Skin Infections

Risk: Common due to heat, humidity, and minor injuries

Prevention:

Keep skin clean and dry
Promptly clean and disinfect cuts or scrapes
Wear appropriate footwear

Treatment: Topical or oral antibiotics depending on severity

Animal-Related Injuries

Risk: From domestic dogs, monkeys, and other animals

Prevention:

Avoid contact with animals, especially strays

Post-exposure:

Immediate thorough wound washing and urgent medical attention for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis

Mosquito-Borne Disease Prevention

Several serious diseases in Southeast Asia are transmitted by mosquitoes:

Malaria: Predominantly night-biting Anopheles mosquitoes
Dengue fever: Day-biting Aedes mosquitoes
Japanese encephalitis: Dawn/dusk-biting Culex mosquitoes
Chikungunya: Day-biting Aedes mosquitoes
Zika virus: Day-biting Aedes mosquitoes

Prevention measures:

Use insect repellent containing 20-30% DEET or 20% Picaridin
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers, especially during peak mosquito activity
Sleep under bed nets in rural accommodations without air conditioning
Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear for high-risk areas
Stay in accommodations with air conditioning or screens when possible

Food and Water Safety

Drink only bottled or purified water (sealed bottles, check cap seal is intact)
Avoid ice unless made from purified water
Eat thoroughly cooked food served hot
Be cautious with street food (choose busy stalls with high turnover)
Avoid raw vegetables unless you can peel them yourself
Be particularly cautious with seafood and shellfish
Exercise care with dairy products, which may be unpasteurised

When to Get Vaccinated

Plan ahead: Schedule a travel consultation 6-8 weeks before departure
Late planning: Even last-minute appointments are valuable
Consider timing: Some vaccines require multiple doses over several weeks
Japanese encephalitis: Requires completion at least 10 days before potential exposure

Accessing Healthcare in Southeast Asia

Medical Facilities

Major cities: Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Ho Chi Minh City have excellent private hospitals
Tourist areas: Adequate private clinics in places like Bali, Phuket, and Chiang Mai
Rural areas: Limited healthcare facilities

Before You Travel

Obtain comprehensive travel insurance with adequate medical coverage and evacuation benefits
Carry a basic medical kit appropriate for your activities
Bring all required prescription medications in original packaging with a doctor’s letter
Research the location of suitable medical facilities at your destinations
Register with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice service

If You Need Medical Care

For minor illnesses, pharmacies can be helpful in major tourist areas
For significant illness or injury, seek care at private hospitals/clinics where possible
Keep all receipts for insurance claims
Contact your insurance provider’s emergency assistance line
Contact the nearest British Embassy or Consulate if needed

Special Considerations

Pregnant Travellers

Some vaccines are contraindicated during pregnancy
Risk of severe malaria complications
Zika virus presents risks; consider postponing travel to affected areas
Limited obstetric care in rural areas

Travelling with Children

Special consideration needed for vaccine dosing and timing
Some vaccines have minimum age requirements
Higher risk of dehydration from traveller’s diarrhoea
Particular attention to mosquito bite prevention

Travellers with Chronic Conditions

May have special vaccine considerations
Should carry a letter from their doctor describing their condition and medications
Consider the availability of needed medications and medical care
May need additional insurance coverage

Current Health Advisories

Health situations can change rapidly. Before travelling to Southeast Asia:

Check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice
Review current disease outbreaks on the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website
Consult TravelHealthPro for country-specific updates
Be aware of any emerging infectious disease situations

Travel Health Kit Essentials for Southeast Asia

Prescription medications in original packaging with doctor’s letter
Antimalarial drugs (if prescribed)
Antibiotic for traveller’s diarrhoea (prescription required)
Antidiarrhoeal medication
Oral rehydration salts
Antihistamines
Motion sickness remedies
Basic first aid supplies (plasters, antiseptics, tweezers, etc.)
Digital thermometer
Hand sanitiser
Insect repellent (20-30% DEET or 20% Picaridin)
Sunscreen (minimum SPF 30)
Water purification tablets/device

Consultation and Booking

It’s essential to consult with a travel health professional before your journey to Southeast Asia. At Park Private Clinic, our travel health specialists can:

Assess your specific health needs based on your detailed itinerary
Review your medical history and current medications
Provide personalised vaccination recommendations
Prescribe appropriate antimalarials and other medications
Offer comprehensive pre-travel advice
Provide destination-specific health information

Book your pre-travel consultation at least 6-8 weeks before departure for optimal protection.

Find out more on our Nottingham Travel Clinic page.

View our price list for vaccines and medicines here.

Resources for Further Information

National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC): www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
World Health Organisation: www.who.int/travel-advice
Air Quality Index for Indian cities: Central Pollution Control Board

This information was last updated in June 2025. Please note that travel health requirements and recommendations are subject to change. Always consult with a healthcare provider for the most current advice before travelling.