Myanmar (Burma)

Recommended Vaccinations For Myanmar (Burma)

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.

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.

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.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

The yellow fever vaccination is not recommended for this country. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Nationals and residents of Myanmar are required to possess certificates of vaccination on their departure to an area with risk of yellow fever transmission.

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.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

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

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

This vaccine is recommended since Japanese encephalitis occurs year-round in this country with seasonal peaks from May to October.

Recommended Medications For Myanmar (Burma)

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline is recommended for the provinces of Bago, Kachin, Kayah, Kayn, Shan and Tanintharyi since mefloquine resistance has been reported in some of the provinces. For all other areas, mefloquine, atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline are recommended. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine and mefloquine are present. There is emerging resistance to artemisinin in southeastern parts of the country along the border with Thailand.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Myanmar (Burma)

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis B for this country.

Cholera

Cholera occurs in this country. Most travelers are at low risk.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever occurs in this country. However, severe dengue is rare in travelers.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

For Some Travellers

Scrub Typhus

This disease generally occurs year-round in Myanmar.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in the country.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Myanmar through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus

Schistosomiasis

Sporadic cases of this disease occur in this country. The disease is acquired through contact with fresh water, 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.

Zika Fever

Zika virus is potentially endemic in Myanmar (Burma). The risk to travellers to Burma (Myanmar) is unknown.

Malaria

Malaria is present throughout the year at altitudes less than 1000 meters (less than 3,300 feet). Low risk ares with rare transmission are at altitudes more than 1000 meters (morea than 3,300 ft).

Typhoid Fever

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country, especially if staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities, villages or rural areas where exposure can occur through contaminated food or water.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in this country. Travellers to this country 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.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. However, a this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Nationals and residents of Myanmar are required to possess certificates of vaccination on their departure to an area with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Bats also carry Rabies-like virus. 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.

Japanese encephalitis

There is a risk of exposure to Japanese encephalitis in rural areas with year-round transmission.

Safety & Security in Myanmar (Burma)

Personal Safety

Crime rate has increased since the February 2021 coup d’état. Petty theft, mugging, and burglary do occur in Myanmar. There have been some reports of violent crime toward foreigners. Always be alert and aware of your surroundings. Ensure that your personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times

Have two photocopies of valuable papers, such as passport, tickets, etc., and keep one copy in a separate location. You could be required to show a passport and visa to authorities when travelling by air or rail and staying at hotels.

Avoid carrying excessive cash. Avoid showing signs of wealth to minimize the risk of becoming a target for theft.

Get permission from the Myanmar tourist authorities before travelling outside Rangoon, as there are officially-designated tourist areas. Travel is strictly controlled in this country.

Transportation can be dangerous in Myanmar due to aggressive driving, badly maintained roads, lack of street lighting, and people and animals on the roads. Avoid travelling by road at night. It is illegal to drive in Myanmar without a valid Myanmar driver’s license. Air, rail, and public transportation often do not meet international safety standards and can be dangerous. Fatal accidents have occurred.

For sports and adventure activities, ensure you have proper safety equipment. The safety standards in this country may not meet expected standards.

Only use taxis with red license plates, as these are registered taxis.

Penalties for drug-related crimes are severe and include the death penalty.

It is against the law to photograph military installations or military personnel.

Never touch or pat a child on the head. This is considered offensive.

Medications sold in Myanmar may be counterfeit. Ensure you have adequate supplies of your prescription medications or other medical supplies you may need. Keep your prescriptions and medicines in the original containers or packaging.

Extreme Violence

Since the military takeover, the incidence of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and attacks has increased, resulting in a highly volatile environment where violence occurs across the entire country. Civil unrest and acts of politically motivated violence may occur anywhere and at any time, particularly leading up to and during days or events of national significance. Such attacks usually occur in major cities such as Yangon, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw, targeting public venues frequented by foreigners. Other regions include parts of Chin, Kachin, Kayin, Rakhine, and Shan states, as well as the Sagaing and Magway regions. There is also a high risk of clashes between armed groups and the military in major urban centres.

Political Unrest

There is the potential for political violence. As the political scenario in Myanmar is unstable and unpredictable, there is a higher likelihood of opposition attacks and an increased presence of security forces. Some areas in Myanmar are under a state of martial law; others may have curfews or’stay at home’ orders. In the case of Yangon (and a few other townships), there is a curfew from midnight until 4 a.m. Demonstrations take place regularly across the country, particularly in Yangon and Mandalay. Security forces have been using excessive and lethal force against protesters in several locations, which has resulted in many casualties. National dates of significance may see rallies and silent strikes, and there’s a higher likelihood of opposition attacks.

Areas To Avoid

Travellers are advised to avoid unnecessary travel to the border areas with China, Thailand, India, Bangladesh, and Laos due to armed conflict, banditry, and areas with landmines. Due to ongoing violence and volatile situation, many casualties along with disruptions in road and rail travel have been reported in parts of Chin (Paletwa Township), Kachin, Rakhine, and northern Shan States.