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. Bottled water is widely available and considered fine to drink. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Diarrhoeal diseases are common. Hepatitis B is endemic in the area. Hepatitis E also occurs, as does tuberculosis. Epidemics of Japanese encephalitis and dengue fever may occur. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

‘People’s Hospitals’ and clinics are found throughout the country, but resources can be limited and basic. At present, emergency medical flights are not permitted into the country. Tourist sites generally provide medical facilities. International travellers are strongly advised to take out health insurance.