China : Travel Health

WARNING! This information is out-dated and likely to be inaccurate!

Researching Travel Plans

Please note that this health information about China may be out-of-date.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 China

The following medical diseases or health concerns are more common in travel to China (compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World):

• travelers’ diarrhea
• cholera
• malaria
• Escherichia coli diarrhea
• hepatitis A
• schistosomiasis - found in fresh water
• typhoid fever
• Insect born diseases
• parasitic diseases
• Dengue fever
• filariasis
• Japanese encephalitis
• leishmaniasis
• plague - risk for travelers is small
• toxoplasmosis
• HIV
• AIDS
• hepatitis B
• hepatitis C
• amebiasis
• diptheria - endemic to the region
• Tuberculosis

More Common Diseases and Medical Concerns for China

The following health concerns or diseases are more commonly found in China compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World:

• motor vehicle trauma - wear seatbelts and avoid night driving
• altitude sickness - if visiting Himalayas
• sunburn especially in high altitude areas - take precautions
• respiratory conditions including asthma and bronchitis may be exaccerbated by air pollution

Epidemics for China

The following health concerns, diseases or comments are related to epidemics in China:

• avian influenza A ( H5N1 ) poultry late 2003
• 2004
• SARS - 2003
• Meningococcal meningitis - 2004

Less Common Diseases and Health Concerns for China

The following health concerns or medical diseases are less commonly found in China compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World:

• Russian spring-summer encephalitis

Vaccinations for Travel to China

The following medical vaccinations are desirable or helpful for travel to China to prevent contagious diseases in China:

• 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 China

Any health risk of travel to China may be reduced by the following precautionary health measures when visiting China:

• Take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and 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
• to prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
• 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, and 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
• sun protection measures

Other Relevant Issues for Travel to China

The following may be issues relevant to travel to China:

• adequate medical care is available in major cities but not to the standard of industrialized countries
• facilities outside these areas are substandard
• hospital beds are limited and modern technology is lacking
• foreingers wanting to stay longer than 6 months will be tested for HIV