Asia and Oceania

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Health

Medical facilities in Bangladesh are poor. Routine tests and X-rays are unreliable. You must have suitable medical insurance, which includes cover for treatment outside Bangladesh.

Malaria and dengue fever are common to Bangladesh. Malaria is usually restricted to specific rural areas, especially the Chittagong Hill Tracts. But dengue fever is common in towns, including Dhaka. Suitable precautions, like the use of mosquito repellents, long trousers / sleeves should be taken.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Bangladesh and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see travel health.

A (H1N1) - Swine Flu

There are confirmed human cases of A (H1N1) - Swine Flu in Bangladesh. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. You should also monitor local media reports for any devlopments and advice.

There is a dedicated swine flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website. The Government of Bangladesh have no specific quarantine plans or regulations in place at present, but arriving passengers are being screened at Dhaka International Airport and you should be prepared to fill in a questionnaire if asked. If you are suspected of being infected you with the H1N1 virus will be tested at a hospital.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

The Government of Bangladesh has confirmed the detection of the Avian Influenza virus (Bird Flu) in 286 poultry farms in Bangladesh.  At least 47 out of 64 districts are now affected.  The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) have confirmed that the total number of culled poultry to date is in excess of 1½ million. No human infections or deaths have been reported.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low.  As a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

You should read this advice in conjunction with Avian and Pandemic Influenza, which gives more detailed advice and information.