* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving within six days from infected areas.

All water should be regarded as a potential health risk. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Hepatitis B occurs. Diarrhoeal diseases are common. Dengue fever, including its haemorrhagic form, occurs in epidemics. Tuberculosis may occur.

Health insurance is strongly recommended. Tungaru Central Hospital on Tarawa provides medical service to all the islands. Government dispensaries on all islands are equipped to handle minor ailments and injuries. Visitors should bring their own supply of basic medicines with them.