Asia and Oceania

Medical treatment is expensive at Western travellers' clinics in Nepal.  Healthcare is poor in most places outside Kathmandu valley and Pokhara.  You should be aware that it might be difficult to obtain rapid helicopter evacuation if you were to fall ill or suffer a serious accident in a remote area of the country.

In 2008, 329 cases of Japanese encephalitis were reported in Nepal resulting in 12 deaths.  Japanese encephalitis is known to occur in the Terai regions of Nepal.  Recent findings from the Word Health Organisation (WHO) have also shown the presence of Japanese encephalitis in Kathmandu Valley. 

The WHO advise short-term visitors to Nepal during the rainy season (June-September) and all long-term visitors to Nepal to obtain Japanese encephalitis vaccinations before travelling.

For further details please see the World Health Organisation Regional Office for South East Asia website.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 68,000 adults aged 15 or over in Nepal were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.5% 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 HIV and AIDS.

 

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Nepal 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.  You should monitor media reports for any developments and advice.

 

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

 

In January 2009 there were outbreaks of Avian Influenza in south eastern Nepal.  The Nepal Central Veterinary Laboratory and the UK's OIE reference Laboratory confirmed the strain as H5N1.  No human infections were confirmed.

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.

 

A (H1N1) - Swine Flu

 

Travellers displaying symptoms of swine flu should seek medical advice. Antivirals are available in Nepal.  There is a dedicated Swine Flu page. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website: http://www.dh.gov.uk.