Travel Vaccines for Myanmar
Everything you need to stay healthy exploring Myanmar — from Bagan's ancient temples to Inle Lake and Yangon's golden pagodas. About 3,000 Canadians visit Myanmar each year.
Verified by CDC · Updated February 2025
What Vaccines Do You Need?
Based on CDC recommendations. Your specific needs may vary based on itinerary, health history, and planned activities.
Hepatitis A
Strongly RecommendedRecommended for all travellers to Myanmar. Hepatitis A is transmitted through contaminated food and water, which is common throughout the country. Two-dose series provides lifetime protection. Get vaccinated at least 2 weeks before departure.
Typhoid
Strongly RecommendedStrongly recommended for all travellers to Myanmar. Typhoid is spread through contaminated food and water and is common in areas with poor sanitation. Oral or injectable vaccine available — get vaccinated at least 2 weeks before travel. Especially important for those eating street food or visiting rural areas.
Hepatitis B
RecommendedRecommended for travellers who may be exposed through medical treatment, tattoos, piercings, or sexual contact. Myanmar has a high prevalence of Hepatitis B. Medical facilities may not follow strict infection control, increasing risk of exposure through needles and blood products.
Japanese Encephalitis
RecommendedRecommended for travellers spending extended time in rural areas, especially during the monsoon season (May–October). Japanese encephalitis is transmitted by Culex mosquitoes that bite at dusk and dawn near rice paddies and pig farms. The disease can cause serious brain inflammation. Two-dose series required.
Rabies
RecommendedStrongly recommended for travellers to Myanmar due to very limited availability of post-exposure rabies treatment in the country. Stray dogs are common in cities, temples, and rural areas. Pre-exposure vaccination (3 doses) simplifies post-exposure treatment and buys critical time to reach a medical facility.
Cholera
RecommendedConsider the oral cholera vaccine (Dukoral) if you plan to visit areas with active outbreaks, work in humanitarian settings, or spend extended time in rural areas with limited access to safe water. Cholera outbreaks occur in Myanmar, particularly during the monsoon season and in flood-affected areas.
Routine Vaccines
RecommendedEnsure your routine vaccinations are up to date, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP), varicella (chickenpox), polio, and your annual flu shot. COVID-19 vaccination is also recommended. Myanmar has experienced measles outbreaks, making MMR particularly important.
Important: Vaccine recommendations depend on your specific travel plans, health history, and the areas you'll visit. Book a free consultation for personalized advice.
What to Watch Out For
These are common health concerns for travelers. Most are preventable with proper precautions.
Malaria
Malaria risk is high in rural areas of Myanmar, especially in Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine, and Shan states. Both Plasmodium falciparum (the most dangerous form) and P. vivax are present. Risk is lower in Yangon and Mandalay city centres but increases significantly in surrounding rural areas.
Take prescribed antimalarial medication (Malarone or Doxycycline recommended due to drug resistance near Thai border). Use DEET-based insect repellent, sleep under permethrin-treated bed nets, wear long sleeves and pants at dusk and dawn, and stay in screened or air-conditioned accommodation when possible.Dengue Fever
Dengue is endemic throughout Myanmar, with peak transmission during the monsoon season (May–November). Aedes mosquitoes that carry dengue bite during the day, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and joint and muscle pain.
Use insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin during the day. Wear light-coloured long sleeves and pants. Stay in accommodations with air conditioning or screened windows. Eliminate standing water near your accommodation. There is no preventive medication for dengue.Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis virus is transmitted by Culex mosquitoes, most active at dusk and dawn. Risk is highest in rural agricultural areas, particularly near rice paddies and pig farms. The disease can cause severe brain inflammation with a high mortality rate. Most infections are asymptomatic, but when symptoms develop, they can be devastating.
Get the Japanese encephalitis vaccine if spending extended time in rural areas. Avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn in rural areas. Use DEET-based insect repellent and sleep under permethrin-treated mosquito nets. Stay in screened or air-conditioned rooms.Rabies
Rabies is a serious concern in Myanmar. Stray dogs are extremely common in cities, around temples, and in rural areas. Monkeys at temple sites can also carry rabies. Myanmar has limited availability of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and medical evacuation may be necessary after an animal bite.
Get pre-exposure rabies vaccination before travel. Avoid touching or feeding stray animals, including temple dogs and monkeys. If bitten or scratched, wash the wound immediately with soap and water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention urgently. Pre-vaccination simplifies post-exposure treatment significantly.Traveler's Diarrhea
Traveler's diarrhea is very common in Myanmar due to variable food handling and water sanitation standards. Both bacterial and parasitic causes are prevalent. Street food, while delicious, carries higher risk. Tap water throughout the country is not safe to drink.
Drink only bottled or purified water. Avoid ice unless made from purified water. Eat thoroughly cooked, hot foods. Peel your own fruit. Wash hands frequently with soap or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Carry oral rehydration salts and consider a prescription for antibiotics from your travel health provider.Chikungunya
Chikungunya virus is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and causes fever with severe, debilitating joint pain that can last weeks to months. Outbreaks have occurred in Myanmar. The joint pain can be so severe that it limits movement and daily activities for an extended period.
Use the same mosquito prevention measures as for dengue — DEET-based repellent during the day, protective clothing, and staying in screened or air-conditioned accommodation. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for chikungunya.Malaria Information
High Risk — Medication RequiredMalaria risk is high in rural areas of Myanmar, especially in Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine, and Shan states. Risk is lower in Yangon and Mandalay city centres but still present in surrounding areas. Some drug-resistant malaria has been reported near the Thai border. Antimalarial medication is strongly recommended for travellers visiting rural areas. Malarone (atovaquone-proguanil) or Doxycycline are the preferred options due to chloroquine and mefloquine resistance. Start medication before travel as directed and continue after returning. Consult your travel health provider for a personalized prescription.
Risk Areas
Risk present in: Campeche, Chiapas, southern Chihuahua. Rare in: Oaxaca, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco. No risk along the US-Mexico border or in major resort areas.
Recommended Prevention
For high-risk areas: Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone), Doxycycline, or Chloroquine. We'll recommend the best option based on your itinerary.
Essential Health Tips
Food & Water
- Drink only bottled water with an unbroken seal — tap water is not safe anywhere in Myanmar
- Avoid ice in drinks unless you are certain it was made from purified water
- Eat at busy restaurants with high turnover — food sitting out is more likely to be contaminated
- Street food is a highlight of Myanmar travel but choose stalls where food is cooked fresh in front of you
- Peel all fruit yourself and avoid raw salads and uncooked vegetables
- Carry oral rehydration salts, anti-diarrheal medication, and a course of prescribed antibiotics
Mosquito Protection
- Apply DEET 30%+ or icaridin repellent to all exposed skin — reapply every 4-6 hours
- Sleep under a permethrin-treated mosquito net, even in hotels — many budget accommodations have gaps in screens
- Wear light-coloured long sleeves and pants at dusk and dawn when malaria-carrying mosquitoes are most active
- Also protect yourself during the day when dengue-carrying Aedes mosquitoes bite
- Consider treating your clothing with permethrin spray before the trip for extra protection
- Take your prescribed antimalarial medication exactly as directed — do not skip doses
Temple Etiquette & Safety
- You must remove shoes and socks at all Buddhist temples — carry wet wipes to clean your feet afterward
- Watch for broken glass, sharp stones, and hot surfaces when walking barefoot on temple grounds
- Avoid touching stray dogs and monkeys around temples — rabies is a real risk in Myanmar
- Carry hand sanitizer and use it after temple visits before eating
- Stay hydrated when visiting temples — many involve extensive walking in heat with no shade
- Bagan's temples can have steep, unlit staircases — bring a small flashlight and watch your step
Frequently Asked Questions
Bagan and Inle Lake are both in areas where malaria transmission can occur, though risk is lower than in more remote rural regions. Bagan is in the dry zone of central Myanmar where risk is relatively low but not zero. Inle Lake is in Shan State where malaria risk is higher, especially in surrounding rural areas. Your travel health provider may recommend antimalarial medication depending on your specific itinerary, length of stay, and time of year. Mosquito prevention measures are recommended regardless.
Medical facilities in Myanmar are very limited, especially outside Yangon. Even in Yangon, hospitals may not meet Western standards, and supplies of medications and equipment can be unreliable. In rural areas like Bagan, Inle Lake, and Shan State, medical care is extremely basic. Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is essential — evacuation to Bangkok is the most common route for serious medical emergencies. Carry a well-stocked personal medical kit including prescription medications, antibiotics, and wound care supplies.
The Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine is recommended if you plan to spend extended time (more than a month) in rural areas, especially during the monsoon season (May–October). Risk is highest near rice paddies and pig farms in agricultural areas. If your trip is short and limited to cities like Yangon and Mandalay, the risk is lower but not absent. Discuss your specific itinerary with your travel health provider. The vaccine requires 2 doses given 7-28 days apart, so plan ahead.
Walking barefoot is required at all Buddhist temples and pagodas in Myanmar, and you will spend significant time barefoot at sites like Shwedagon Pagoda and Bagan's temples. Health risks include cuts from broken glass or sharp stones, fungal infections, hookworm from contaminated soil, and burns from hot surfaces in the midday sun. Minimize risk by watching where you step, carrying antiseptic wipes and bandages, cleaning your feet thoroughly afterward, and visiting temples in the morning or late afternoon when surfaces are cooler. Ensure your tetanus vaccination is current.
Yes, rabies is a significant concern in Myanmar. Stray dogs are very common throughout the country, especially around temples, markets, and restaurants. Myanmar has one of the highest rates of rabies deaths in Southeast Asia, and post-exposure treatment may not be readily available outside major cities. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is strongly recommended. If you are bitten or scratched by any animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes, then seek medical attention urgently. Pre-vaccination means you need only 2 booster doses instead of the full series plus immunoglobulin.
The cool, dry season from November to February is the best time to visit Myanmar for both comfort and health. Temperatures are milder, mosquito populations are lower (reducing malaria and dengue risk), and roads are more accessible. The hot season (March–May) brings extreme heat that can cause heat exhaustion. The monsoon season (May–October) brings heavy rains, flooding, higher mosquito-borne disease risk, and can make rural travel difficult. Regardless of when you visit, book a travel health consultation at least 6-8 weeks before departure to allow time for all recommended vaccinations.
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Myanmar Travel Consultation
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