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Medical Summary
The health risk information presented here is summarized from Shoreland Travax®, a decision-support tool used by health care providers to perform a detailed health risk analysis based on specific locations, individual travel styles, and traveler risk behaviors. Travax provides practitioners current, independently researched malaria risk and prevention recommendations in a map-based format that goes beyond the annual WHO and US CDC statements included here. Not included here are current reports from Travax of disease outbreaks or environmental events that may pose elevated risks to travelers’ health and safety. The Providers section of this site offers a directory of health care providers who utilize Shoreland Travax for travel health counseling. Learn more about the detailed reports and maps available from these practitioners (includes links to samples).
General Information
Burma (Myanmar) is a developing nation classified as lower middle income. Located in Southeast Asia along the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea (east of India and west of Thailand), the climate ranges from dry summer to humid equatorial (short dry season), with cooler temperatures in some high-altitude areas.
Vaccinations
Routine vaccinations are essential due to a persistent rise of vaccine-preventable diseases (especially markedly high rates of diphtheria, pertussis, and measles) globally. Prior to travel, travelers should be up-to-date with the age-appropriate routine vaccinations recommended by their home country, which may include: COVID-19; H. influenzae type B (Hib); hepatitis A; hepatitis B; herpes zoster; human papillomavirus; influenza; measles, mumps, rubella; meningococcal; pneumococcal; polio; rotavirus; tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap preferred; consider an early pertussis booster for high-risk travelers); varicella.
Yellow Fever
See also: Library article for Yellow Fever
Although yellow fever does not occur in Burma (Myanmar), an official yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required depending on your itinerary.
- Requirement: A certificate proving yellow fever vaccination is required for travelers aged ≥ 1 year coming from countries with risk of YF transmission. This also applies to airport transit stops (no exit through immigration checkpoint) longer than 12 hours in risk countries.
Other Vaccines
Depending on your itinerary, your personal risk factors, and the length of your visit, your health care provider may offer you vaccination against chikungunya, cholera, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, or typhoid fever.
Malaria
See also: Library article for Malaria
The following is current information as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
WHO—International Travel and Health (current online update, Country List)
(2019) Malaria risk due predominantly to P. falciparum exists throughout the year in remote rural, hilly and forested areas of the country, as well as in some coastal areas in Rahkine State. There is no transmission in cities and urban areas. The central plains and the dry zone are generally free of malaria, but some pockets of transmission still exist. Mefloquine resistance has been reported in Kayin State and the eastern part of Shan State. Emerging artemisinin resistance is suspected in south-eastern Myanmar. P. vivax resistance to chloroquine has been reported. Human P. knowlesi infection has been reported.- Recommended prevention in risk areas: C – Risk of P. falciparum malaria, in combination with reported chloroquine and sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine resistance. Mosquito bite prevention plus atovaquone–proguanil or doxycycline or mefloquine chemoprophylaxis (select according to reported side effects and contraindications)
aAlternatively, for travel to rural areas with low risk of malaria infection, mosquito bite prevention can be combined with stand–by emergency treatment (SBET).
bIn certain areas with multidrug–resistant malaria, mefloquine chemoprophylaxis is no longer recommended. At present these areas include Cambodia, Thailand, and south-eastern Myanmar.
WHO Country List footnote: When available, the date of the most recent update or confirmation is indicated in parentheses in the country list. If no date is indicated, the most recent update or confirmation was provided before 2013.
CDC—Health Information for International Travel (current online edition)
Areas with malaria: Present at altitudes < 1,000 m (3,281 ft), including Bagan. Rare transmission above 1,000 m (3,281 ft) (see Map 2-07).- Drug resistance3 : Chloroquine and mefloquine.
- Malaria species: P. falciparum 60%, P. vivax 35%, P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. knowlesi rare.
- Recommended chemoprophylaxis: In the provinces of Bago, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Shan, and Tanintharyi <1,000 m (3,281 ft): Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or tafenoquine.4 All other areas <1,000 m (3,281 ft): Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or tafenoquine.4 Above 1,000 m (3,281 ft): None (practice mosquito avoidance).
3 Refers to P. falciparum malaria unless otherwise noted.
4 Primaquine and tafenoquine can cause hemolytic anemia in people with G6PD deficiency. Patients must be screened for G6PD deficiency before starting primaquine or tafenoquine. See Tafenoquine Approved for Malaria Prophylaxis and Treatment for more information.
Other Concerns
Travelers' Diarrhea
See also: Library article for Travelers' Diarrhea
High risk exists throughout the country, including in deluxe accommodations. Community sanitation and food safety measures are generally inadequate. Some itineraries (e.g., remote destinations, austere accommodations) and activities (e.g., ecotourism, eating street or local-market food) further increase risk.
Travelers should observe food and beverage precautions, which reduce the likelihood of illness.
Travelers should carry loperamide for self-treatment of diarrhea and, if risk is moderate to high, an antibiotic to add if diarrhea is severe. Consult a knowledgeable health care provider regarding which antibiotic is appropriate for you and most effective for your destination.
Other Food-Borne Illnesses
Precautions to prevent brucellosis may be needed.
Insect- and Arthropod-Borne Diseases
Dengue, leishmaniasis, murine typhus, scrub typhus, West Nile virus, Zika may pose a risk. Personal protective measures are important.
Other Disease and Health Risks
Additional concerns include air pollution, anthrax disease, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, helminths, leptospirosis, marine hazards, melioidosis, plague, schistosomiasis, sexually transmitted infections, snakebites, tuberculosis.
Safety and Security
See also: Library article for Safety and Security
Key Safety Risks
- Road conditions and traffic collisions
- Petty crime
- Scams
- Arbitrary arrest/unlawful detention
Key Security Threats
- Armed conflict
- Risk of terrorist attacks by domestic groups
- Risk of violent civil unrest
- Risk of security forces responding to protests with excessive force
- Explosions in public places
- Landmines/unexploded ordnance
- Occasional violent crime
- Random acts of armed violence
Emergency Phone Number
The police emergency number is 199.
