Myanmar (Burma)

Recommended Vaccinations For Myanmar (Burma)

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

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

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

For Some Travellers

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, 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.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

The yellow fever vaccination is not recommended for this country. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Nationals and residents of Myanmar are required to possess certificates of vaccination on their departure to an area 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.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

This vaccine is recommended since Japanese encephalitis occurs year-round in this country with seasonal peaks from May to October.

Recommended Medications For Myanmar (Burma)

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline is recommended for the provinces of Bago, Kachin, Kayah, Kayn, Shan and Tanintharyi since mefloquine resistance has been reported in some of the provinces. For all other areas, mefloquine, atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline are recommended. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine and mefloquine are present. There is emerging resistance to artemisinin in southeastern parts of the country along the border with Thailand.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Myanmar (Burma)

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis B for this country.

Cholera

Cholera occurs in this country. Most travelers are at low risk.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever occurs in this country. However, severe dengue is rare in travelers.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

For Some Travellers

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in the country.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Myanmar through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus

Scrub Typhus

This disease generally occurs year-round in Myanmar.

Schistosomiasis

Sporadic cases of this disease occur in this country. The disease 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.

Zika Fever

Zika virus is potentially endemic in Myanmar (Burma). The risk to travellers to Burma (Myanmar) is unknown.

Malaria

Malaria is present throughout the year at altitudes less than 1000 meters (less than 3,300 feet). Low risk ares with rare transmission are at altitudes more than 1000 meters (morea than 3,300 ft).

Typhoid Fever

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country, especially if staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities, villages or rural areas where exposure can occur through contaminated food or water.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in this country. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. However, a this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Nationals and residents of Myanmar are required to possess certificates of vaccination on their departure to an area with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Bats also carry Rabies-like virus. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, 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.

Japanese encephalitis

There is a risk of exposure to Japanese encephalitis in rural areas with year-round transmission.

Safety & Security in Myanmar (Burma)

Personal Safety

Crime in Myanmar has been rising since the 2021 military coup. Kidnappings have become more frequent, with at least five people reportedly kidnapped in 2024 in Yangon and Mandalay, as well as border towns in Shan state. Victims of crime often do not report incidents to police because authorities fail to take action or make arrests. Robbery and murder rates have increased significantly in junta-controlled cities. Property crime is on the rise. Pickpocketing and petty theft happen in tourist areas, but violent crime against tourists remains rare. Scams targeting foreigners are common, particularly money exchange scams where vendors attempt sleight of hand tricks or pass damaged bills. Foreigners face risks of arbitrary detention by military authorities without fair treatment or access to consular services. The military regime enforces local laws arbitrarily, including detaining individuals for social media posts critical of the regime made outside Myanmar. You could face defamation charges for actions as minor as posting a critical hotel review online. Dual nationals may be subject to military conscription laws regardless of foreign passports held. Most personnel at military and police checkpoints do not speak English.

Extreme Violence

Myanmar faces an intense civil war following the February 2021 military coup. Over 6,200 civilians have been killed by the military since the coup, with at least 1,824 people killed in 2024 alone. The military has displaced over 3 million civilians and 19.9 million people need humanitarian assistance. Military airstrikes reached unprecedented levels in 2024, increasing five-fold compared to the previous year. The military uses indiscriminate bombardments, cluster munitions, and artillery shelling against civilian areas. Attacks target schools, hospitals, religious buildings, and internally displaced person camps. In Yangon alone, an average of 21 explosions per month were detonated in 2024 against regime personnel and facilities. Improvised explosive devices are used in the ongoing conflicts, including within Yangon. Land mines and unexploded ordnance exist throughout Myanmar with locations often unmarked. Myanmar topped the global list of landmine casualties for the first time in 2023, with 889 civilian casualties from landmines in the first nine months of 2024. Conflict-related sexual violence is widespread, with the military accused of systematic rape and sexual assault. Anti-military armed groups also commit abuses including torture, extrajudicial killings, and forced recruitment. Resistance forces control 42 percent of Myanmar’s territory while the military controls only 21 percent.

Political Unrest

Myanmar has been under military rule since the February 2021 coup that deposed the democratically elected government. The military detained elected leaders including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. Protests and demonstrations against military rule occur on significant dates and the military responds with violence, arbitrarily detaining protesters and bystanders. Over 20,000 people remain in detention. The junta announced elections scheduled for December 2025 continuing into January 2026. There is increased risk of security incidents before, during, and after elections including political rallies and demonstrations. A state of emergency remains in place throughout the country. Opposition militia groups actively operate around the country and regularly attack locations connected to the military and security authorities in Yangon and other areas. The military has announced it will not accept elections in areas under control of resistance groups. Any dissent against the planned elections can result in three to seven years in prison, with group offences punishable by five to 10 years. The military activated a conscription law in February 2024 requiring men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 to serve up to five years. Dual nationals are not exempt from conscription regardless of foreign passports held.

Areas To Avoid

Active armed conflict occurs throughout most of Myanmar. Border areas with Thailand, Laos, China, and Bangladesh are particularly dangerous due to ongoing conflicts, unmarked landmines, and attacks on civilians. Rakhine State has intense fighting between the military and Arakan Army with the Rohingya population caught between warring factions. The Arakan Army controls most of Rakhine State. Shan State faces significant conflict involving multiple ethnic armed groups, with fighting concentrated in northern areas. Lashio, the largest town in northern Shan State, was captured by resistance forces in August 2024. Kayah State and Kayin State have ongoing violent clashes with military forces using airstrikes and heavy artillery. Sagaing Region has experienced over 100,000 homes burned since May 2021. Chin State faces armed conflict with civilian infrastructure including roads and bridges cut off or targeted. Kachin State is affected by conflict with increased troop numbers and violent clashes. Central Myanmar including areas of Mandalay Region and Magway Region have seen increased violence. Tanintharyi Region, Ayeyarwady Region townships, and areas around major highways face security risks. The Yangon-Naypyitaw-Mandalay highway and National Highway 1 have reports of attacks. Mandalay and Yangon have experienced explosions, kidnappings, and violent crime. Movement restrictions and travel permits are required for many areas.