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
North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) is a developing nation classified as low income. Located in eastern Asia along the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan (south of China and north of South Korea), the climate is classified as predominantly humid cold (no dry season).
Vaccinations
Yellow Fever
See also: Library article for Yellow Fever
Although yellow fever does not occur in North Korea, 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 does not apply to airport transit stops (no exit through immigration checkpoint) 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 COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, Japanese encephalitis, measles, mumps, rubella, rabies, or typhoid fever. 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)
(2020) Limited Malaria risk due exclusively to P. vivax exists in some southern areas.- Recommended prevention in risk areas: A - Very limited risk of malaria transmission. Mosquito bite prevention only.
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 in southern provinces.- Drug resistance3 : None.
- Malaria species: Presumed to be 100% P. vivax.
- Recommended chemoprophylaxis: Atovaquone-proguanil, chloroquine, doxycycline, mefloquine, primaquine,4 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
Moderate risk exists throughout the country, including in deluxe accommodations. Community sanitation and food safety measures may be 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
Scrub typhus may pose a risk. Personal protective measures are important.
Other Disease and Health Risks
Additional concerns include enteroviruses, hantavirus, helminths, leptospirosis, marine hazards, 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 risk of arbitrary detention and ongoing security concerns, US (DOS), Canada (GAC), and Australia (DFAT) advise avoiding all travel to this country. UK (FCO) advises reconsidering travel (or avoiding nonessential travel) to this country.
Terrorism Risk
No intrinsic risk of attack by terrorist groups exists, but unforeseen attacks are possible.
Crime
Negligible risk of violent crime exists throughout the country.
Low risk of petty crime exists throughout the country, mainly in Pyongyang International Airport and public markets.
Unsafe Areas
Restricted areas exist throughout the country.
Transportation Safety
National incidence data on traffic-related injury or death are not available.
Natural Disasters
The monsoon season is from June through September, coinciding with the typhoon season. Floods, mudslides, and landslides may occur.
Consular Information
Selected Embassies or Consulates in North Korea
- United States: The U.S. does not have an embassy or consulate in North Korea.
- Canada: Canada does not have an embassy or consulate in North Korea.
- United Kingdom: [+850] 2-381-7982; www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-pyonyang
- Australia: Australia does not have an embassy or consulate in North Korea.
North Korea's Embassies or Consulates in Selected Countries
- In the U.S.: North Korea does not have an embassy or consulate in the U.S.
- In Canada: North Korea does not have an embassy or consulate in Canada.
- In the U.K.: North Korea does not have an embassy or consulate in the U.K.
- In Australia: North Korea does not have an embassy or consulate in Australia.
Visa/HIV Testing
HIV and hepatitis testing are required to obtain a work or residence visa. Travelers, including short-term travelers, may be detained or deported after arrival if found to be positive for HIV or hepatitis.
