Yemen

General Map

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

Yemen is a developing nation classified as low income. Located in the Middle East (west of Oman and south of Saudi Arabia), the climate is classified as dry (arid), with cooler temperatures in some high-altitude areas.

Vaccinations

Depending on your itinerary, your personal risk factors, and the length of your visit, your health care provider may offer you vaccination against cholera, COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, 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

WHO—International Travel and Health (current online update, Country List)

(prior to 2018) Malaria risk due predominantly to P. falciparum exists throughout the year, but mainly from September through February, in the entire country below 2000 m. There is no risk in Sanaʼa city. Malaria risk on Socotra Island is very limited.

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).
Recommended prevention on Socotra Island: 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: All areas < 2,000 m (6,562 ft). None in Sana'a.

Drug resistance³ : Chloroquine.
Malaria species: P. falciparum 95%; P. malariae, P. vivax, and P. ovale 5% combined.
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

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 seafood poisoning may be needed.

Insect- and Arthropod-Borne Diseases

Chikungunya, dengue, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, Rift Valley fever, West Nile virus may pose a risk. Personal protective measures are important.

Other Disease and Health Risks

Additional concerns include Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, helminths, hepatitis C, leptospirosis, marine hazards, schistosomiasis, 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, political instability, and other ongoing security concerns, US (DOS), UK (FCO), Canada (GAC), and Australia (DFAT) advise avoiding all travel to this country.

A state of emergency is in place.

Terrorism Risk

High risk of attack by domestic and/or transnational terrorist groups exists throughout the country, including Sana'a and other cities. 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 and targeted assassinations by terrorist groups exist throughout the country, including Sana'a and other cities. Since 2010, hundreds of foreigners have been kidnapped. Targets specifically include foreigners (especially Westerners), journalists, nongovernmental organization workers, missionaries, and aid workers.

Crime

High risk of violent crime (carjacking) exists throughout the country.

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 occurs, a dangerous security environment and military presence exist, and armed groups are present throughout the country. Landmines and other unexploded ordnance may be present in southern and eastern areas of the country, particularly around Aden and in the central highlands. Piracy (involving commercial and private leisure vessels) may occur in coastal and international waters.

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.

Natural Disasters

The monsoon season is from June through September. Floods, mudslides, and landslides may occur.

Dust storms occur.

Seismic and volcanic activity occurs.

Consular Information

Selected Embassies or Consulates in Yemen

Foreign governments cannot provide any form of assisted departure to foreign nationals in Yemen.

United States: Operations are currently suspended; [+967] 1-755-2000; ye.usembassy.gov
Canada: Canada does not have an embassy or consulate in Yemen.
United Kingdom: Operations are currently suspended; www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-sana-a
Australia: Australia does not have an embassy or consulate in Yemen.

Yemen's Embassies or Consulates in Selected Countries

In the U.S.: www.yemenembassy.org
In Canada: www.yemenembassy.ca
In the U.K.: [+44] 020-7584-6607
In Australia: Yemen does not have an embassy or consulate in Australia.

Visa/HIV Testing

HIV testing is required to obtain a work or residence visa. Travelers, including short-stay travelers, may be detained or deported after arrival if found to be positive for HIV or hepatitis.

On This Page