Papua New Guinea

Recommended Vaccinations For Papua New Guinea

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.

For Some Travellers

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.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers 1 year of age and older 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.

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 the country for more than 3 months.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Short-term travellers and those who restrict their visits to urban areas are at very low risk. Those at higher risk are travellers who visit or work in rural agricultural areas such as rice fields and marshland. Long-term travellers and expatriates are also at higher risk. Vaccination is recommended for persons at higher risk.

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, 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 and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Papua New Guinea

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Rrecommended anti-malaria medication for areas where malaria is a risk is doxycycline, mefloquine or atovaquone/proguanil. Chloroquine resistance is widespread.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Papua New Guinea

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

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

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Papua New Guinea.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks occur in Papua New Guinea. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked or raw seafood in this country.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

Chikungunya Fever

Outbreaks of chikungunya fever may occur.

For Some Travellers

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring Measles in this country.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers 1 year of age and older 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.

Ross River Fever

Ross River virus disease may occur in this country.

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.

Japanese encephalitis

All areas are affected. There is increased risk of infection in rural areas. The transmission season may be year- round.

Malaria

There is a high risk of Malaria in Papua New Guinea below 1,800 meters.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Papua New Guinea. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with a sick person.

Typhoid Fever

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

Zika Fever

There is transmission of the Zika virus in this country.

Rabies

Rabies may occur in Papua New Guinea. Most travellers are considered to be at low risk. However, bats may carry bat lyssavirus (bat rabies). Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with animals that carry the virus. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Papua New Guinea

Personal Safety

Papua New Guinea has one of the highest crime rates globally. Port Moresby, Lae, and Mount Hagen face particularly serious crime problems including armed robbery, carjacking, sexual assault, home invasions, and violent theft. Raskol gangs operate throughout urban areas using machetes and firearms. In January 2024, riots in Port Moresby left at least 22 people dead after police pay disputes sparked looting across several cities. Police resources are severely limited, with a ratio of one officer per 1,845 citizens, far below the UN recommended standard of one per 450. Corruption within law enforcement is widespread, with 96% of Papua New Guineans perceiving government corruption as significant. Carjacking happens frequently, and criminals use roadblocks to stop vehicles. Public buses called PMVs and taxis are not roadworthy and frequently targeted for robbery and assault. Walking or driving after dark carries high risk. Organized crime groups operate kidnapping operations for ransom, with foreign nationals targeted in remote areas and near mining sites. Several foreigners were kidnapped in 2022 and 2023. Squatter settlements in cities are extremely dangerous and should be avoided. Violent crime increases during the Christmas period. Most businesses and residences employ private security due to inadequate police protection.

Extreme Violence

Tribal warfare is widespread across Papua New Guinea, particularly in the Highlands region. These conflicts have become increasingly deadly due to the proliferation of automatic weapons including M16s and AR15s that have leaked from police and defense stocks. An estimated 50,000 illegal firearms circulate in the country. In February 2024, tribal fighting in Enga province killed at least 49 people in a single clash. Earlier the same year, 60 people died in tribal violence in Enga. In July 2024, 26 people including 16 women and children were killed in East Sepik province. In September 2024, at least 20 people died in tribal violence near the Porgera gold mine. Tribal violence displaced approximately 30,000 people in the Highlands in 2021. These conflicts stem from land disputes, election rivalries, mining royalty disagreements, and payback violence. Fighting involves machetes, bows and arrows, and increasingly high-powered firearms. While tribal fighters do not normally target foreign nationals, you can be caught in crossfire. Women and children have been deliberately targeted in recent conflicts. The Highlands provinces including Enga, Hela, Southern Highlands, and parts of Western Highlands experience the most severe violence. Mercenaries are sometimes hired to participate in tribal fighting.

Political Unrest

Papua New Guinea experiences periodic political instability and civil unrest. In January 2024, violent riots erupted in Port Moresby following disputes over police pay cuts, spreading to Lae, Kokopo, Goroka, Madang, and other cities. At least 22 people were killed and approximately 160 million Australian dollars in damage occurred. Prime Minister James Marape declared a 14-day state of emergency. The riots revealed deep governance failures and public frustration. Political stability remains fragile, with multiple no-confidence motions attempted against the prime minister in 2024. Elections trigger violence throughout the country. The 2022 general elections saw violent clashes, and local level elections scheduled for October and November 2025 carry risks of tensions and violence. Protests and demonstrations can turn violent quickly. Large gatherings including sporting and cultural events can escalate into violence. In March 2025, parliament passed a constitutional amendment requiring an 18-month grace period after any failed vote of no confidence, which critics say reduces parliamentary accountability. Bougainville’s future political status remains unresolved despite a 2019 referendum where 97.7% voted for independence. Negotiations continue and frustration is growing among Bougainvillean leaders. The unresolved status creates potential for renewed tensions.

Areas To Avoid

Port Moresby requires extreme caution in all areas, especially suburbs and squatter settlements. The areas around Koki Market to 2 Mile Hill, Gordons, Erima, Gerehu, 4 Mile, 9 Mile settlement areas, and the Parliament House area in Waigani experience high crime levels. Walking after dark in Port Moresby is extremely dangerous. Lae has high violent crime rates similar to Port Moresby. Mount Hagen in Western Highlands faces serious security concerns and ongoing tribal violence. All of Southern Highlands, Hela, and Enga provinces experience extreme tribal violence and should be avoided. The Highlands region excluding Mount Hagen town and Goroka town faces civil unrest and tribal fighting. Central Bougainville, particularly areas near the Panguna mine, are designated no-go zones due to civil unrest. Bougainville police lack resources to respond to emergencies. The Kokoda Track has experienced attacks and robberies despite community assurances. Track blockades by local communities can occur at short notice and last weeks. Remote areas carry kidnapping risks, particularly near mining sites in Southern Highlands and Hela provinces. All squatter settlements in towns and cities are dangerous. The Highlands Highway experiences violent attacks on vehicles, particularly between Goroka and Kainantu. Unexploded World War 2 ordnance remains present along the Kokoda Track, at Milne Bay, and Rabaul.