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Paddy fields, Laos

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Laos health care and vaccinations

Vaccination identifier Special precautions
Diphtheria

Yes
Hepatitis A

Yes
Malaria

Yes*
Rabies

Sometimes
Tetanus

Yes
Typhoid

Yes
Yellow Fever

No**

* Not required for Vientiane.

** A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers arriving from infected areas.

Any treatment must generally be paid for in cash. Health insurance is essential and should include cover for air evacuation.

Food and drink: 

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 dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks: 

Hepatitis E occurs and hepatitis B is highly endemic. Dengue fever, tuberculosis and Japanese encephalitis occur. Avoid swimming in fresh water as schistsomiasis and leptospirosis are present.

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