Syria

Recommended Vaccinations For Syria

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Cholera Vaccine

There are no specific recommendations by CDC or NaTHNac for the cholera vaccine for travel to Syria. However, generally the oral cholera vaccine is recommended for some travellers, ages 18-64, whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Syria

There are no recommendations for Syria at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Syria

For Most Travellers

Cholera

Cholera has occurred in Syria

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Syria through contaminated food or water. 

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Syria.

For Some Travellers

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Syria are at risk for tuberculosis, if visiting ill friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with infected persons.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in this country through specific insect, bug or tick bites or by coming in close contact with a person or animal infected with this disease. Travellers involved in activities like hiking, camping, working with animals, and visiting farms and forested areas are at a higher risk. There are no vaccinations (or medications) to prevent Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever.

MERS

There is a risk of acquiring MERS-CoV in this country. Scientists do not fully understand how the MERS virus spreads. It is a viral infection transmitted through direct or indirect contact with infected camels or camel-related products. Limited person-to-person transmission through coughing and sneezing from infected persons, typically in healthcare settings, has also been reported. There is currently no vaccine to prevent MERS.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Schistosomiasis

The parasite that causes schistosomiasis may found in Syria, however, there are no current data for risk.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Syria, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis occurs in Syria, particularly in the northern region. It is usually more common in rural than urban areas, and the risk of acquiring leishmaniasis is increased in travellers who spend time outdoors in rural areas and at night, when sand flies typically feed.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Syria

Personal Safety

Syria faces severe security challenges that make it extremely dangerous for visitors. In December 2024, the Assad regime collapsed after opposition forces seized control of Damascus, establishing a transitional government. Despite this change, widespread violence continues throughout the country. Multiple governments including the US, Canada, and Australia maintain Level 4 travel warnings, advising against all travel to Syria. The US suspended embassy operations in 2012 and cannot provide consular services, with Czechia serving as protecting power. Foreign nationals face risks of kidnapping for ransom, arbitrary detention, and hostage taking by armed groups including ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliates. Past cases show detention can be harsh and unsanitary without fair judicial process or medical access. Terrorism remains a significant threat. In June 2025, an attack at the Greek Orthodox Church of Prophet Elias in Damascus killed at least 30 people. Types of attacks include bombings, improvised explosive devices, assassinations, shootings, and suicide bombs. ISIS attacks increased in 2024 after years of decline, primarily in eastern Syria. The humanitarian crisis affects over 14 million people needing assistance. Infrastructure for housing, medical facilities, schools, and utilities has been destroyed. Unexploded ordnance from war poses serious dangers in many areas. Communication and cell phone use are closely monitored by security services. Photographing official buildings and using phones at checkpoints are prohibited. Foreign travelers face increased risk of detention and harassment, particularly at official and unofficial checkpoints throughout the country.

Extreme Violence

Syria has experienced extreme violence throughout its civil war that began in 2011 and continues despite the regime change in December 2024. The conflict resulted in over 500,000 deaths according to estimates, with hundreds of thousands more wounded, arbitrarily detained, or forcibly disappeared. The new transitional government under Ahmed al-Sharaa faces ongoing sectarian violence targeting minority communities. Massacres of Syrian Alawites occurred in early 2025, with over 1,700 civilians reportedly killed in coastal regions. In July 2025, clashes erupted in Sweida between Druze and Bedouin groups, with subsequent government intervention resulting in at least 765 Druze civilians executed according to monitoring groups. UN experts reported killings, enforced disappearances, abductions, looting, and sexual violence against women and girls. Violence between government forces and groups loyal to former President Assad continues in western coastal regions. Assad loyalists, including the Syrian Popular Resistance, carry out ambushes against new government forces. ISIS continues to pose threats, particularly in eastern Syria where attacks increased in 2024 after years of decline. The group targets Syrian Democratic Forces controlling much of the northeast. Chemical weapons use has been documented during the conflict. Humanitarian organizations report at least 414 people killed and 600 injured by unexploded ordnance since December 2024, with one third being children. Sexual violence, torture, summary executions, and arbitrary detention by government forces, armed opposition groups, and terrorist organizations are documented throughout the country. Multiple armed factions operate with impunity, committing serious human rights violations including abductions, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances.

Political Unrest

Syria remains highly unstable politically despite the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. The transitional government led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham struggles to establish control and faces multiple challenges. Different regions are controlled by competing forces, creating a fragmented security environment. The Syrian Democratic Forces control northeastern Syria, Turkish-backed Syrian National Army controls northern areas, and various local armed groups hold territory in southern regions. Violent clashes continue between minority communities, groups loyal to the former regime, and interim government security forces. Anti-government protests occurred in Sweida and Daraa provinces in 2023 and 2024, driven by economic hardship and political demands. The first protester was killed by government forces in February 2024 after six months of demonstrations. In 2025, protests erupted in Jaramana against President al-Sharaa and his government. The interim government announced dissolution of armed militias and integration into the Syrian Ministry of Defense, but implementation faces obstacles. Negotiations between the Syrian caretaker authorities and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces continue regarding integration, though conflicts between these groups persist. Large-scale sectarian violence against Alawites and Druze in 2025 fueled fears of further violent eruptions. The Supreme Fatwa Council issued a ruling prohibiting revenge killings, indicating ongoing challenges with extrajudicial retaliation. Israel maintains military occupation of the Golan Heights buffer zone and conducts airstrikes throughout Syria, including targeting government forces. Turkey continues military operations against Kurdish forces in northern Syria. International sanctions remain in place, though the US removed foreign terrorist designation from HTS in July 2025.

Areas To Avoid

Eastern Syria, particularly the provinces of Deir al-Zor and Hasaka, remains extremely dangerous and off-limits to tourists due to ISIS presence and ongoing attacks. The group operates from remote areas in the Badia desert region of central Syria. Northwestern Idlib province is dominated by armed groups and subject to heavy attacks. The region has experienced intense bombardment and population displacement. This area was previously under Al Nusra control and is now effectively occupied by Turkey, using Turkish currency instead of Syrian Lira. Northeastern Syria, controlled by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, experiences ongoing instability with Turkish military operations targeting the area. Turkish airstrikes hit civilian facilities, severing communities from electricity and medical care. The region sees conflict between multiple actors including government forces and Turkish-backed groups. Border areas with Turkey, Iraq, and Jordan are frequent targets of shelling and attacks. Border checkpoints should not be considered safe, as armed groups seek funding through kidnappings for ransom. Errant attacks occasionally hit border towns. Coastal regions including Latakia and Tartus governorates experienced large-scale violence in 2025 with attacks on Alawite communities. These areas saw sectarian killings, with hospitals and ambulances rendered nonfunctional. Sweida governorate in southern Syria witnessed violent clashes in July 2025 between Druze groups, Bedouin fighters, and government forces, resulting in hundreds of deaths. Israeli military occupation of the Golan Heights buffer zone and surrounding areas makes these territories dangerous. Conflict zones shift unpredictably throughout the country. Some areas within Syria are controlled by local armed groups not under government authority. Fighting may occur anywhere and is highly unpredictable.