Bangladesh

Recommended Vaccinations For Bangladesh

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 infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk from coming in close contact with infected persons or for unvaccinated, children under 16 years of age, who are going to live in Afghanistan for more than 3 months.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

This vaccination is recommended for travellers who plan extensive outdoor activity in rural areas between May and October, particularly in the areas of Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, and Rajshahi, and Sylhet divisions.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

Travellers are not at risk for yellow fever for this country. However, this country requires all persons age 1 year or over to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination if arriving from a region where yellow fever is present, including airport transit & layovers.

Cholera Vaccine

The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for all travellers, including children who plan to travel to areas of active cholera 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, rural areas, or staying with friends and family.

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 Bangladesh

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malarial medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for Chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Bangladesh

For Most Travellers

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Bangladesh through contaminated food or water. 

Hepatitis B

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

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks have occurred in Bangladesh, and the risk to travellers is significant.

Cholera

Active cholera transmission was reported in Chittagong and Dhaka.

For Some Travellers

Measles

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

Hanta Virus

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

Malaria

High-risk areas include the Chittagong Hill Tract districts. There is a very low risk in the rest of Bangladesh. Carrying prescription antimalarials is recommended.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Bangladesh, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where water and food may not be safe.

Yellow Fever

Travellers are not at risk for yellow fever for this country. However, this country requires all persons age 1 year or over to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination if arriving from a region where yellow fever is present.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Bangladesh. 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.

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is found in Bangladesh. There has been a sharp increase in the disease since the cessation of DDT spraying. Leishmaniasis is usually more common in rural than urban areas, and the risk of acquiring leishmaniasis is increased in travellers who spend time outdoors in rural areas and at night when sand flies typically feed.

Japanese encephalitis

In Bangladesh, outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis occur between the months of May and October. Cases of Japanese encephalitis have been reported in the areas of Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, and Rajshahi, and Sylhet divisions, however, the disease is likely widespread throughout Bangladesh. The risk for travellers of contracting Japanese encephalitis is low, but visiting the listed areas and extensive outdoor activity in rural areas will increase this risk.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Bangladesh. 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.

Zika Fever

Zika virus can occur in this country.

Safety & Security in Bangladesh

Personal Safety

Bangladesh faces serious personal safety challenges as of 2025. Violent crime has spiked dramatically following political upheaval in August 2024. Robbery cases rose to 171 in January 2025 compared to 114 in January 2024, while abduction cases more than doubled. Mugging and robbery incidents hit a record high of 242 cases in a single month. Murder cases increased to 294 in January 2025 from 231 in January 2024. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching remain common, especially in public areas and on transport. Public transport passengers face a heightened risk of violent crime, particularly at night. Police stations have suffered significant damage, and law enforcement capacity remains strained. Mob violence has increased to fill security gaps left by weakened institutions. Avoid using mobile phones while walking in public, as this attracts thieves. The situation remains volatile with potential for rapid deterioration, especially during demonstrations or strikes, which can quickly turn violent.

Extreme Violence

Bangladesh has no reported instances of transnational terrorist violence in 2023, with authorities actively pursuing militant groups. However, terrorism threats persist. Extremist groups have historically targeted foreigners using improvised explosive devices and have attacked public areas, including restaurants, hotels, transportation hubs, and places of worship. The Chittagong Hill Tracts experience separatist violence, with soldiers killed in attacks attributed to ethnic militant groups in 2023. Following the August 2024 political upheaval that killed up to 1,400 people, violence against religious minorities increased dramatically. Over 2,000 attacks on Hindu properties occurred, and attacks on Christian converts and Sufi establishments were reported. Five transgender women were murdered in 2024. The interim government launched Operation Devil Hunt in February 2025 to address surging crime, but this has resulted in mass arrests, raising human rights concerns. Armed groups and criminal gangs operate in Rohingya refugee camps. While major terrorist attacks have declined since 2020, the threat remains present, particularly in Dhaka. Religious extremist groups continue to operate despite government crackdowns.

Political Unrest

Bangladesh experienced massive political unrest in July and August 2024, resulting in up to 1,400 deaths during protests that toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The situation remains volatile. Political rallies and demonstrations continue and can quickly turn violent with clashes involving law enforcement. During strikes called hartals, arson, violence and vandalism occur across towns and cities, sometimes resulting in fatalities. Attacks against property and public transport are common during unrest. Following the formation of an interim government in August 2024, political tensions persist between various factions including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and supporters of the former Awami League government. Violence between rival political groups has resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries in 2025. The interim government has promised elections by the end of 2025, but delays could trigger renewed protests. Military personnel now patrol streets with arrest powers. If you see a demonstration starting, move immediately to a safe place. Avoid all large gatherings and areas with police or security presence. The security situation can change rapidly with little notice.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid all travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts region, which includes the Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban districts. This area experiences communal violence, crime, terrorism, kidnapping, separatist activity, and ethnic clashes. IED explosions and active shooting incidents occur. Government approval is required to travel there, and even with permission, security risks remain extreme. Kidnappings target both locals and visitors, including those motivated by domestic disputes and targeting religious minorities. Avoid areas around Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar district, particularly Teknaf, Kutupalong, and Ukhia, where incidents of kidnapping, arms smuggling, narcotics trafficking, and clashes between locals and refugees have been reported. Armed groups and criminal gangs operate in these camps with limited security response. During periods of political unrest, avoid Roads 79 and 86 in the Gulshan-2 area of Dhaka, where major political party offices are located and large unscheduled events frequently occur. The Sundarbans Forest region in southwestern Bangladesh has an increased threat of kidnapping. Be alert in all public spaces, including transport hubs, markets, shopping areas, and government buildings, where attacks can occur with little warning.