Asia and Oceania

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Health

There are intermittent outbreaks of Pneumonic plague, a virulent form of plague that attacks the lungs in China. The most recent was in August 2009.

Rabies is common in China, which has the second highest incidence in the world. In recent years an average of 2,400 deaths from rabies has been reported annually. (Source: NaTHNaC website)

Hand, foot and mouth (HFMD) disease is a regularly occurring illness in China (and elsewhere). An intestinal virus, a variant of HFMD, also occurs annually in China. Both diseases are usually more severe in children and babies, and generally peak in the summer months.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 690,000 adults aged 15 or over in China were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see our HIV and AIDS page.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to China 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 Heath 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 our Travel Health page.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

There are intermittent outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in poultry in China that have resulted in small numbers of human fatalities. Outbreaks are usually confined to rural areas and infection is generally believed to arise from close contact with live infected poultry; infected animals are culled. The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be low. However, 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.

The WHO has warned of the possibility that the Avian Influenza outbreaks could lead at some point to a human flu pandemic, if the virus mutates to a form, which is easily transmissible between people.

British nationals living longer term in an Avian Influenza affected region should take personal responsibility for their own safety in the event of a future pandemic, including considering their access to adequate healthcare and ensuring travel documents are up to date.

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