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
Greenland, a self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark, is an industrialized nation in the top 25% of the world's economies. Located in northern North America (northeast of Canada, mostly within the Arctic Circle), the climate is classified as cold polar (tundra and ice).
Vaccinations
Depending on your itinerary, your personal risk factors, and the length of your visit, your health care provider may offer you vaccination against COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, or rabies. Routine immunizations, such as those that prevent tetanus/diphtheria or "childhood" diseases, should be reviewed and updated as needed.
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)
No statement given.CDC—Health Information for International Travel (current online edition)
Areas with malaria: None.
Drug resistance: Not applicable.
Other Concerns
Travelers' Diarrhea
See also: Library article for Travelers' Diarrhea
Minimal risk (comparable to that in other industrialized countries) exists throughout the country. Community sanitation and food safety measures are generally good, and health concerns related to food and beverage consumption are minimal. Risk for viral gastroenteritis (e.g., norovirus) may be elevated based on season, traveler itinerary, and/or level of community transmission.
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 Disease and Health Risks
Additional concerns include leptospirosis, tuberculosis.
Consular Advice
The material below includes information from the US Department of State (DOS), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), as well as from additional open-source material. Standard safety precautions that apply to all international travel can be found in the Library article Safety and Security.
Terrorism Risk
Risk of attack by transnational terrorist groups exists throughout Europe. Targets may include domestic and international organizations and businesses; public places and events, including those frequented by tourists; and transportation systems.
Crime
Negligible risk of violent crime exists throughout the country.
Transportation Safety
National incidence data on traffic-related injury or death are not available.
Speed laws are poorly enforced.
Natural Disasters
Extreme cold (which can lead to cold-related injury) occurs from November through April.
Consular Information
Selected Embassies or Consulates in Greenland, a constituent country of Denmark
- United States: The U.S. does not have an embassy or consulate in Greenland.
- Canada: [+299] 31-1647; travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates/greenland
- United Kingdom: U.K. does not have an embassy or consulate in Greenland.
- Australia: Australia does not have an embassy or consulate in Greenland.
Greenland's Embassies or Consulates in Selected Countries
- In the U.S.: Greenland does not have an embassy or consulate in the U.S.
- In Canada: Greenland does not have an embassy or consulate in Canada.
- In the U.K.: Greenland does not have an embassy or consulate in the U.K.
- In Australia: Greenland does not have an embassy or consulate in Australia.
Visa/HIV Testing
HIV testing is not required to obtain a tourist, work, or residence visa.
