Philippines

Most travellers 
There is an increased risk of contracting hepatitis A and typhoid in the Philippines, both of which can be contracted through contaminated food or water. 

Some travellers
Depending on the duration of your stay, where you are staying and what activities you have planned, the following vaccinations or preventative medication may be recommended for you by your doctor:

• Hepatitis B 
• Japanese encephalitis (particularly if you are visiting rural areas and/or spending a lot of time outdoors)
• Malaria (preventative medication)
• Rabies (can be found in dogs, bats and other mammals)

If you have private healthcare, you may find they will cover some costs, but this varies from one company to another – check with your personal insurer for more details. 
 

What your doctor will need to know:

• When you plan to travel (time of year/season)
• The duration of your trip 
• The regions of the Philippines you are visiting 
• Your planned activities (i.e. if you are going trekking or visiting remote and/or wilderness areas)
• If you will be in contact with animals
• If you are up-to-date with your routine vaccinations  

Your doctor may also conduct a general health check-up. This may be needed for your travel insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

If you are not up-to-date with your routine vaccinations or if the doctor believes you may be at an increased risk of contracting a vaccine-preventable disease, then they may recommend you get a booster or be revaccinated against a particular disease. 
 

See your doctor at least a month before departure to discuss your travel health requirements.

Before travelling: 

• Register your trip with Smart Traveller 
• Ensure you’re up-to-date with your routine vaccinations 
• Make sure you have enough of your regular prescription medicines
• Take out travel insurance to cover you and your family for medical and other costs resulting from unexpected incidents and accidents
• Put together a travel kit with paracetamol and aspirin, diarrhoeal medicine, oral rehydration salts, antiseptic lotion or ointment, adhesive bandages and other wound dressings, insect repellent, sunscreen, latex gloves, thermometer, motion sickness medicine, and water purification tablets

During travel:

• The tap water in the Philippines is not safe to drink. Drink bottled or filtered water only and check the plastic seal on bottled water is intact (some stores have been known to sell boiled water in recycled bottles). Avoid adding ice to your drinks, and check that salad and fruit have been washed with filtered water prior to consumption.
• Avoid mosquito bites, as insect-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue and Japanese encephalitis are quite common in the Philippines. You can protect yourself with insect repellent, wearing clothes that cover your arms and legs, and staying in accommodation that has fly nets or screens provided.
• Avoid animal bites. Rabies is a deadly disease and considered a risk in the Philippines. It is spread by the bite, lick or scratch of an infected animal, such as a dog or a monkey. Vaccinations for rabies are available – your doctor can advise whether vaccinations are required for your trip.
• Use condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, hepatitis B and AIDS.