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
Oman is a developing nation classified as high income. Located in the Middle East along the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Gulf of Oman (east of Yemen and south of Saudi Arabia), the climate is classified as dry (arid).
Vaccinations
Yellow Fever
See also: Library article for Yellow Fever
Although yellow fever does not occur in Oman, 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 coming from countries with risk of YF transmission and from Rwanda and Tanzania. This also applies to airport transit stops (no exit through immigration checkpoint) longer than 12 hours in these 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, measles, mumps, rubella, mpox, 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) Sporadic transmission of P. falciparum and P. vivax may occur subsequent to international importations of parasites. In 2010, local outbreaks of P. falciparum and P. vivax were reported in Ash Sharqiyah North Governorate. Local cases were also reported in 2011 and 2012.- Recommended prevention: None
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: Sporadic transmission in Dakhliyah, North Batinah, and North and South Sharqiyah.- Drug resistance3 : Chloroquine
- Malaria species: P. falciparum and P. vivax
- Recommended chemoprophylaxis: 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
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
Dengue, leishmaniasis, West Nile virus may pose a risk. Personal protective measures are important.
Other Disease and Health Risks
Additional concerns include Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, leptospirosis, marine hazards, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), schistosomiasis, sexually transmitted infections, snakebites.
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 and armed conflict, US (DOS) advises avoiding travel to areas bordering Yemen. Canada (GAC) and Australia (DFAT) have more limited warnings. UK (FCO) has no current warning.
Terrorism Risk
Risk of attack by 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.
Crime
Negligible risk of violent crime and low risk of petty crime exist throughout the country.
Civil Unrest
Protests and demonstrations may infrequently occur 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 Yemen.
Water Safety
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.
Outdoor Safety
Desert excursions should only be undertaken with organized groups and experienced guides. Participants should inform someone not on the tour of their itinerary and anticipated return time. An adequate supply of food and water for extended unforeseen delays is essential.
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.
Structural standards for vehicles may not meet international standards.
Natural Disasters
The rainy season is from May through September, coinciding with the cyclone season. Floods, mudslides, and landslides may occur, especially in southernmost areas.
Sandstorms and dust storms frequently occur.
Consular Information
Selected Embassies or Consulates in Oman
- United States: [+968] 2464-3400; om.usembassy.gov
- Canada: [+968] 2479-4928; travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates/oman
- United Kingdom: [+968] 2460-9000; www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-muscat
- Australia: Australia does not have an embassy or consulate in Oman.
Oman's Embassies or Consulates in Selected Countries
- In the U.S.: www.culturaloffice.info
- In Canada: Oman does not have an embassy or consulate in Canada.
- In the U.K.: [+44] 020-7225-0001
- In Australia: oman.org.au
