Laos

Recommended Vaccinations For Laos

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. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

Polio Vaccine

All travellers to Laos should make sure they have had a polio-containing vaccine in the past 10 years and that children have had a full course of the vaccine.

For Some Travellers

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers 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. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, 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.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Vaccination is recommended for travelers engaging in activities that put them at increased risk such as such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through the 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.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before travel is recommended for infants 6 to 11 months old.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, going to live for more than 3 months in the country. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Recommended Medications For Laos

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

For the high-risk areas, atovaquone/proguanil or doxycycline is the recommended anti-malaria medication. For all other areas, atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine are recommended. Drug resistance to chloroquine and mefloquine (P. falciparum) is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Laos

For Most Travellers

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks occur year-round throughout Laos, and the risk to travellers is significant.

Hepatitis B

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

Chikungunya Fever

Outbreaks of this disease usually occur during the tropical rainy season, however, outbreaks can occur during the dry season as well.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Laos through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Cholera

Cholera may occur in this country. It is a bacterial infection transmitted by contaminated food and water. Can cause severe watery diarrhoea although mild infections are common.

For Some Travellers

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, 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.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in the country through the consumption of contaminated food or being around someone who is sick with hantavirus

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring measles in the country.

Polio

Although no human cases of wild polio virus have been reported in Laos, this country has recently reported cases of polio acquired from a polio vaccine strain.

Malaria

There is a risk of malaria in all areas of Laos, except the city of Vientiane. There is a high risk of malaria along the Laos/Myanmar border in the provinces of Bokeo and Louang Namtha; along the Laos-Thailand border in the provinces of Champasak and Saravan; along the Laos-Cambodia border; and along the Laos-Vietnam border.

Typhoid Fever

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

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Laos are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Zika Fever

There is transmission of the Zika virus in this country.

Schistosomiasis

There is a risk of Schistosomiasis in the country.This disease is acquired through contact with freshwaters, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis occurs countrywide, with year-round transmission. The risk for travellers is low, but extensive outdoor activity in rural areas will increase this risk

Safety & Security in Laos

Personal Safety

Petty crime, such as pick-pocketing and bag-snatching, is common in cities, and tourists are the main targets. Travellers should avoid showing signs of affluence, such as expensive clothing or jewelry, and ensure their personal belongings and travel documents are safe at all times.

Sexual assaults are being reported more frequently. Women, in particular, should avoid walking alone in isolated areas and after dark. Avoid accepting food or drink from strangers or new acquaintances. There have been reports of drinks being spiked with drugs.

In some areas frequented by tourists, people will ingest food or beverages that contain opium and other drugs. Be aware that it is dangerous to ingest any amount of opiates or unknown drugs, particularly in areas where medical facilities are limited. Tourists have died in Laos from ingesting drug-laced food or drinks. Fatal drug overdoses have occurred with very small quantities.

The penalty for using or trafficking drugs is very severe in Laos, including the death penalty.

Road travel can be dangerous due to poor road conditions, poor vehicle maintenance, and reckless driving. Road banditry has been reported. Checkpoints and roadblocks may occur in some areas. Authorities may search and detain travellers if identification is not provided. Carry official identification at all times. If you cannot present your identification upon request, you can be heavily fined. Do not travel at night.

Public transportation is unreliable. Boat travel may be dangerous as safety standards are poor, and there have been reports of boats being robbed.

Exercise extreme caution if participating in outdoor adventure activities as safety standards may not be adequate. Purchase travel and medical insurance before departing and ensure your insurance policy covers outdoor adventure activities, including medical evacuation.

Never leave well-used roads and trails due to the risk of unexploded landmines and other munitions, especially in the following areas: the Plains of Jars in Xieng Khouang Province and the Lao-Vietnamese border, including areas formerly traversed by the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

Do not take photos of government or military installations, bridges or airports.

LGBTI travellers should note same-sex relationships are not illegal in Laos. However, Lao remains culturally conservative and same-sex couples may face discrimination.

All travellers should avoid public displays of affection so as to not offend. Sexual relationships between foreign and Lao nationals is against the law unless the two people are married.

Laos experiences a rainy season from May-November. Flooding, landslides, major damage to infrastructure could disrupt travel plans. Monitor weather reports closely and follow advice of local authorities.

Tourism infrastructure is limited outside of Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

Extreme Violence

There is no recent history of terrorism in Laos; however, attacks cannot be ruled out. There are large amounts of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Laos; they are present in some parts of Savannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Salavan, Khammouane, Sekong, Champassak, Houaphan, Attapeu, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane provinces. Along Route 7 (from Route 13 to the Vietnam border), Route 9 (Savannakhet to the Vietnam border), and Route 20 (Pakse to Salavan). Do not pick up unknown metal objects, and avoid travelling off well-used roads, tracks, and paths.

Political Unrest

Avoid demonstrations and political gatherings to minimize safety risks.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid travelling to Xaisômboun province due to a volatile security situation. High levels of criminal activity such as drug and human trafficking have been recorded in Bokeo province. Caution should also be exercised while traveling along the border areas with Myanmar (Burma).