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General Map

General map of India

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

India is a developing nation classified as lower middle income. Located in southern Asia (between the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal), the climate is extremely diverse with classifications that range from humid equatorial (no dry season) to subtropical dry winter.

Vaccinations

Yellow Fever

See also: Library article for Yellow Fever

Although yellow fever does not occur in India, 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 ≥ 9 months arriving within 6 days of departure from countries with risk of YF transmission. Note: At the discretion of the local Health Officer, this requirement may apply to air passengers who have transited risk countries and to persons who arrive on craft (plane or ship) originating in or transiting risk countries that were not properly disinsected following WHO guidelines or Indian regulations. In addition, some airlines may impose a boarding requirement for a vaccination certificate for passengers transiting a risk country en route to India.

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, COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, Japanese encephalitis, measles, mumps, rubella, mpox, rabies, typhoid fever, or a one time polio booster if you haven't previously received one for travel. 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)

(2019) Malaria risk due to P. falciparum and P. vivax exists throughout the year in the entire country below 2000 m. The majority of malaria in India is reported from the eastern and central parts of the country and from states which have large forest, hilly and tribal areas. These states include Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and some north-eastern states such as Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram. There is no transmission in parts of the states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Sikkim.
  • 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) a
    aAlternatively, for travel to rural areas with low risk of malaria infection, mosquito bite prevention can be combined with stand–by emergency treatment (SBET).

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: All areas throughout the country, including cities of Bombay (Mumbai) and Delhi, except none in areas >2,000 m (6,562 ft) in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Sikkim (see Map 2-15).
  • Drug resistance3 : Chloroquine.
  • Malaria species: P. vivax 50%, P. falciparum >40%, P. malariae and P. ovale rare.
  • Recommended chemoprophylaxis: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or tafenoquine.4
    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, seafood poisoning may be needed.

Insect- and Arthropod-Borne Diseases

Dengue, leishmaniasis, murine typhus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, 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, avian influenza, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, hantavirus, helminths, hepatitis C, leptospirosis, marine hazards, melioidosis, monkey bites, Nipah virus, plague, schistosomiasis, sexually transmitted infections, snakebites, 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.

Consular Travel Advice

Due to terrorism, civil unrest, and other ongoing security concerns, Australia (DFAT) advises avoiding travel to Jammu and Kashmir State (except the Ladakh area) and areas bordering Pakistan (except the Wagah border crossing). Australia (DFAT) also advises reconsidering travel (or avoiding nonessential travel) to the Wagah border crossing; Assam (except Guwahati), Nagaland, Manipur, and Chhattisgarh states; and the border areas of neighboring states. US (DOS), UK (FCO), and Canada (GAC) have more limited warnings.

Terrorism Risk

High risk of attack by domestic and transnational terrorist groups exists throughout the country. Targets may include domestic and international organizations and businesses; public places and events, including those frequented by tourists; and transportation systems.

High risk of kidnapping by terrorist groups exists in rural areas throughout the country. Targets may include foreigners (especially Westerners).

Crime

Moderate risk of sexual assault, including verbal and physical harassment, exists throughout the country, especially in New Delhi (particularly in Vasant Kunj area), Bangalore, and other cities; in Bodh Gaya; in Goa and Rajasthan states; in other areas frequented by tourists.

High risk of petty crime exists throughout the country, especially in New Delhi and crowded places, including areas frequented by tourists, public transportation, markets, trade fairs, and airports.

Scams involving gems and precious metals and false identity (such as criminals posing as tour guides) have been reported.

Risk exists of robberies and/or assaults occurring after consuming intentionally drugged food or drink; tourists are frequently targeted.

Civil Unrest

Protests and demonstrations frequently occur throughout the country and have the potential to turn violent without warning. Bystanders are at risk of harm from violence or from the response by authorities. Disruption to transportation, free movement, or the ability to carry out daily activities may occur. 

Unsafe Areas

Armed conflict may occur in areas bordering Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Burma (Myanmar). A dangerous security environment, a military presence, and unmarked boundaries may exist in Jammu and Kashmir State and other areas bordering Pakistan. 

Water Safety

Hazardous water conditions (including currents, tides, and undertows) may occur, especially at beaches in Mumbai and the Bay of Bengal. Heed posted warnings, and avoid beaches that are not patrolled. Do not swim alone or after dark, and do not walk on any beach after dark.

Passenger boats may be unsafe, including ferries and small crafts. Decline water transportation in vessels that appear overloaded or lack personal flotation devices or life jackets.

Rent water sports equipment from reputable operators. Scuba dive only with personnel certified by PADI or NAUI, and use equipment only from PADI- or NAUI-certified dive operators.

Other Safety Threats

Risk exists for fatal wildlife attacks on safaris and in game parks and reserves. Travelers should closely follow park regulations, always maintain a safe distance from wildlife, and should not exit vehicles or protected enclosures.

Transportation Safety

High risk of traffic-related injury or death exists. The road traffic death rate is 12 to 24 per 100,000 population. The rate is less than 10 in most high-income countries.

Seat belt laws are poorly enforced.

Drunk driving laws are poorly enforced.

Airline Safety

The US Federal Aviation Administration has determined that the civil aviation authority of this country oversees its air carriers in accordance with minimum international safety standards.

Natural Disasters

The cyclone season is from April through December, especially in coastal areas of the Bay of Bengal. The monsoon season is from June through October. Floods, mudslides, and landslides may occur, especially in the northern states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar and in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Seismic activity frequently occurs, especially in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.

Consular Information

Selected Embassies or Consulates in India

  • United States: [+91] 11-2419-8000; in.usembassy.gov
  • Canada: [+91] 11-4178-2000; www.canada.ca/CanadaAndIndia
  • United Kingdom: [+91] 11-2419-2100; www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-high-commission-new-delhi
  • Australia: [+91] 11-4139-9900; www.india.highcommission.gov.au

India's Embassies or Consulates in Selected Countries

  • In the U.S.: indianembassyusa.gov.in
  • In Canada: www.hciottawa.gov.in
  • In the U.K.: www.hcilondon.gov.in
  • In Australia: www.hcicanberra.gov.in

Visa/HIV Testing

HIV testing is not required to obtain a tourist, work, or residence visa.