Laos : Travel Health

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

Researching Travel Plans

Please note that this health information about Laos may be out-of-date.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

The following medical diseases or health concerns are more common in travel to Laos (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
• plague - risk for travelers is small
• toxoplasmosis
• HIV
• AIDS
• hepatitis B
• diptheria - endemic to the region
• Tuberculosis
• chickungunya

More Common Diseases and Medical Concerns for Laos

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

• motor vehicle trauma - wear seatbelts and avoid night driving
• trematode (worm) infection - avoid undercooked food
• drownings in the river systems is common

Epidemics for Laos

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

• avian influenza A ( H5N1 ) poultry late 2003
• early 2004
• Dengue fever

Vaccinations for Travel to Laos

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

• 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 Laos

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

• 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
• take care when boating - drownings are common

Other Relevant Issues for Travel to Laos

The following may be issues relevant to travel to Laos:

• adequate medical care is available in Vientiane at internationally staffed clinics
• medical care is substandard throughout the rest of the country
• there may be consular warnings against travel to the country
• check latest advice for updates