Bangladesh Health

* A yellow fever certificate is required of all persons (including infants) arriving by air or sea within six days of departure from an infected area, or a country with infection in any part, or a country where the WHO judges yellow fever to be endemic or present; or has been in such an area in transit; or has come by an aircraft which has come from such an area and has not been properly disinfected. Those arriving without a required certificate will be detained in quarantine for six days.

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid all dairy products. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Dengue fever, visceral leishmaniasis, tuberculosis and hepatitis B and E are present. Japanese encephalitis occurs, particularly in rural areas. Humidity and pollution in downtown Dhaka, especially at certain times of the year, can cause problems. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If bitten abroad, seek medical advice without delay.

Health insurance is essential. Visitors can also be treated at military hospitals.