Travel Vaccines and Advice for the Philippines

• Typhoid – Typhoid, caused by Salmonella Typhi, is primarily transmitted through tainted food and water. Protection against this disease involves vaccination combined with good hygiene and careful food consumption.
• Hepatitis A – Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus, typically spreading through contaminated food or water, or close contact with an infected person. Symptoms can include fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, and jaundice. The hepatitis A vaccine is a safe and effective shot that provides immunity against the virus, usually given in two doses.
• Japanese Encephalitis – Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-borne viral infection affecting the brain, prevalent in rural Asia. It can cause neurological symptoms and, in severe cases, death. The Japanese encephalitis vaccine, administered via injection, effectively prevents the virus, recommended for people living in or traveling to endemic areas.
• Chikungunya – Chikungunya, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, can be prevented through measures like mosquito repellent use. Vaccination provides the best form of protection.
• Rabies – Rabies is a lethal disease transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, and vaccination is the key to prevention. Pre-exposure vaccination is advised for individuals at risk, and immediate post-exposure vaccination is crucial if one encounters a potentially rabid animal.
• Hepatitis B – Hepatitis B, a liver infection spread through bodily fluids, poses a significant health risk. Safe practices help, but vaccination is the ultimate safeguard. It prompts the immune system to produce antibodies, ensuring strong and persistent protection.
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) – Measles, mumps, and rubella are contagious diseases transmitted via respiratory droplets and touch. Preventing these illnesses is primarily achieved through vaccination, using the MMR vaccine. It’s administered in two doses and provides immunity against all three viruses.

Malaria is present on Palawan and Mindanao islands. No malaria transmission is reported in Manila or other urban areas at this time. Antimalarials is recommended for travel to rural areas. Atovaquone, doxycycline, mefloquine and tafenoquine are the most commonly recommended antimalarials for the region. Note, chloroquine resistant malaria is present in the Philippines.

Mosquitoes that spread illnesses other than malaria are active during the day. That makes repellent an all day habit, especially from June through November, when the rainy season pushes mosquito populations higher across the islands.

Apply repellent containing DEET, picaridin or IR3535 to exposed skin, and reapply after swimming or heavy sweating. Permethrin-treated clothing adds a second layer, useful for jungle treks, island hopping, or extended stays in rural provinces. Loose, long-sleeved layers help too, and a screened or air-conditioned room cuts down on nighttime exposure in guesthouses without solid window coverage.

Travelers’ diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid are the illnesses the CDC says are most common in the Philippines. All three spread through contaminated food or water, and precautions against one generally protect against the others.

Skip tap water and treat ice with the same caution unless it’s made from purified water. The Philippines’ frequent flooding during typhoon season adds risk: avoid wading through floodwater or standing water, and keep any open cuts covered. Contaminated freshwater and mud carry risks beyond the illnesses named above. Swimming or wading in rivers, lakes and rice paddies carries similar risk.

Stick to food that’s fully cooked and served hot, and be cautious with raw seafood. Wash or peel fruit yourself rather than buying it pre-cut from a street vendor, and skip ice cream or dairy from unrefrigerated carts. Food left sitting at room temperature deserve the same caution, since bacteria can multiply quickly in heat and humidity.

Altitude sickness, or acute mountain sickness (AMS), results from oxygen deprivation at high altitudes, leading to symptoms like headaches and nausea. Prevent AMS by ascending slowly, staying hydrated, and considering medication. If symptoms worsen, descend immediately to lower altitudes and seek medical assistance.

• Dengue – Spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, which feed mainly during the day. The Philippines reports dengue cases year-round, with numbers climbing during the June-to-November rainy season. Daytime repellent use is the main defense.
• Hantavirus – Spread through contact with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents, most often by breathing in contaminated dust in enclosed spaces like sheds or barns. Travelers doing rural homestays or farm visits face the highest exposure. Store food in sealed containers and avoid sweeping up rodent droppings.
• Leptospirosis – Spread through water or soil contaminated with infected animal urine, including floodwater common during the Philippines’ typhoon season. Wading through flooded streets or swimming in contaminated rivers raises the risk. Avoid floodwater when possible, and keep any open cuts covered and dry.
• Melioidosis – Spread through contact with contaminated soil or water, especially after heavy rain, or by breathing in contaminated dust. The bacteria is present in soil across the Philippines’ rice-farming regions year-round. Bandage open wounds before contact with soil or floodwater, and skip barefoot walking through wet fields.
• Schistosomiasis – Spread by parasitic worms released from freshwater snails, which enter the skin during wading, swimming, or bathing in contaminated water. The Philippines has confirmed transmission concentrated in Leyte, Samar, and parts of Mindanao. Avoid swimming or wading in freshwater lakes, rivers, and irrigation canals in these areas.
• Tuberculosis (TB) – Spread through the air when someone with an active infection coughs, speaks, or sings nearby. The Philippines ranks among the top three countries worldwide for TB, per the World Health Organization. Avoid prolonged, close indoor contact with anyone showing a persistent cough.
• Zika – Spread through the bite of a daytime-biting mosquito, and can pass from a pregnant traveler to the fetus. The Philippines has documented past Zika transmission, and there’s no vaccine to prevent it. Travelers who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should talk to a doctor before the trip.