Oman

Recommended Vaccinations For Oman

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

Yellow fever vaccination is not recommended. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for all travellers over 9 months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Oman

There are no recommendations for Oman at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Oman

For Most Travellers

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Oman through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Oman.

For Some Travellers

MERS

There is a risk of acquiring MERS-CoV in this country. Scientists do not fully understand how the MERS virus spreads. It is a viral infection transmitted through direct or indirect contact with infected camels or camel-related products. Limited person-to-person transmission through coughing and sneezing from infected persons, typically in healthcare settings, has also been reported. There is currently no vaccine to prevent MERS.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Oman are at risk for tuberculosis, if visiting ill friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with infected persons.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hanta Virus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in this country through specific insect, bug or tick bites or by coming in close contact with a person or animal infected with this disease. Travellers involved in activities like hiking, camping, working with animals, and visiting farms and forested areas are at a higher risk. There are no vaccinations (or medications) to prevent Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever.

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Oman, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in Oman. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for all travellers over 9 months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Oman. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Schistosomiasis

According to the World Health Organization, cases of this disease were reported in 2012. This disease may be present in Oman and is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Safety & Security in Oman

Personal Safety

Oman ranks among the safest countries globally with extremely low crime rates. Petty theft and pickpocketing are rare, though you should secure belongings in crowded souqs and tourist areas. Violent crime against tourists is very rare. Omanis are known for their hospitality and respect toward visitors. Personal attacks including sexual assault can occur but remain relatively uncommon. A July 2024 shooting incident at a mosque in Muscat marked a rare security event. Terrorism risk exists but remains lower than in neighboring countries, with potential spillover concerns near the Yemen border. Middle East regional developments occasionally trigger peaceful demonstrations, though protests remain infrequent and closely monitored. Scams are uncommon compared to other tourist destinations, though you may encounter inflated prices in markets or from unlicensed guides.

Extreme Violence

Oman maintains one of the lowest terrorism impact scores globally. Until 2024, the country ranked at the bottom of the Global Terrorism Index alongside 72 other nations with no reported incidents. A shooting at a mosque in Wadi Kabir, Muscat in July 2024 killed six people and marked a rare incident. The country borders Yemen where armed conflict continues, creating potential spillover concerns particularly near border areas. Violent crime including homicide remains extremely rare with rates of 0.28 per 100,000 population. The Royal Oman Police enforce security strictly, and organized crime is nearly non-existent. Oman maintains active counterterrorism cooperation with international partners and monitors its extensive coastline and remote borders with Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Political Unrest

Oman maintains strong political stability with power concentrated in the monarchy. The country experiences occasional small-scale protests related to economic grievances, particularly unemployment, most recently in 2021. Historical protests occurred in 2011, 2018, and 2019, typically focused on jobs and living conditions rather than political upheaval. The government generally responds with a combination of economic concessions and limited enforcement. Political parties are not permitted. Demonstrations related to Middle East regional developments occur occasionally, including a peaceful protest outside the British Embassy in October 2023 and Palestine solidarity demonstrations in late 2023. These remain rare, peaceful, and closely monitored by authorities. The country maintains neutrality in regional conflicts and ranks 65.88 percentile for political stability according to World Bank indicators.

Areas To Avoid

The Yemen border region requires particular caution due to ongoing armed conflict and is classified as high-risk by several governments. You need authorization from Omani authorities to travel to restricted areas near this border. Crossing between Oman and Yemen is dangerous with limited official entry points and potential for detention. Military presence is high in border regions. Some areas of the Gulf of Aden have restrictions with vessels facing potential detention and inspection. Certain areas are designated as strategically important and cannot be visited without official authorization. Remote desert areas including Wahiba Sands and Rub Al Khali require proper preparation with four-wheel-drive vehicles, adequate supplies, and communication equipment due to limited or no mobile phone service. Wadis become extremely dangerous during rainfall due to flash flooding risk, particularly from October to March.