Cambodia

Have a safe trip with travel vaccines and advice from medical professionals.

Travel health and safety for Cambodia 🇰🇭

Cambodia, located in Southeast Asia, is a captivating destination known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural landscapes.

The country offers a blend of ancient temples, bustling cities, lush jungles, and picturesque coastal areas. Cambodia’s most famous attraction is the magnificent Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest religious monument in the world. The temple complex showcases intricate architectural designs and stands as a testament to the Khmer Empire’s grandeur.

Beyond Angkor Wat, Cambodia has much to offer. The capital city, Phnom Penh, exudes a mix of colonial charm and modern development, with its bustling markets, ornate palaces, and historical landmarks like the Royal Palace and the somber Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. The coastal town of Sihanoukville boasts pristine beaches, where visitors can relax, swim, and indulge in fresh seafood.

For nature enthusiasts, Cambodia’s lush landscapes provide opportunities for adventure. The Cardamom Mountains offer trekking trails, wildlife encounters, and lush rainforests. The picturesque countryside is dotted with rural villages, where travelers can immerse themselves in local life, observe traditional crafts, and experience warm Cambodian hospitality.

Travel Immunizations for Cambodia

What vaccines do I need for Cambodia? Get all the information and vaccinations you need to minimize travel health risks.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travelers, as the risk of contracting hepatitis A can be present in contaminated food and water.

Can be spread by fecal-oral transmission or by consuming food or water that has been contaminated.

Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort, vomiting, joint pain.

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact with infected individuals.
Symptoms initially resemble a common cold, followed by a characteristic rash fever, cough, runny nose, small, white spots inside the mouth and throat red eyes, sleepiness, and irritability.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that targets the liver and may cause chronic infections.

Its primary mode of transmission is through direct blood-to-blood contact with an infected person. It can also be transmitted through unprotected sex or sharing needles.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting and joint pain.

Malaria

Malaria is a serious and occasionally fatal disease that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, similar to the flu. Without treatment, malaria can cause severe illness and death.
Malaria can be treated with anti-malarial medications.

Rabies

Rabies is a viral infection transmitted through animal bites.

Symptoms may initially include fever, headache, and discomfort at the bite site, progressing to more severe neurological symptoms. Rabies is fatal if it is not treated before symptoms develop.
Rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.

Japanese Encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a viral infection spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Visitors to areas experiencing a JE outbreak should also consider vaccination.
Risk increases for individuals engaging in activities involving high contact with mosquitoes.

We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the provided information, however, it is not feasible for us to update daily. Please book a virtual consultation with one of our Travel Medicine Professionals for current, personalized advice and answers to any questions you may have.

Health Canada strongly advises travelers ensure their routine vaccinations are up to date, including:

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Guards against the varicella-zoster virus, responsible for chickenpox.

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP)

Protects against three different bacterial infections.

Flu (Influenza)

Vaccination against seasonal influenza strains is essential.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Provides immunity against all three diseases in one shot.

Polio

Essential for guarding against the poliovirus.

Shingles

Offers protection against a viral infection that causes painful rashes.

COVID-19

The ongoing pandemic necessitates adherence to vaccination guidelines and preventive measures.

Cambodia Concerns / Health Canada Recommendations

Traveler's Diarrhea

Most common illness for travelers, from consuming contaminated food & water

Affects up to 70% of travelers and risks minimized with good hygiene and safe food/drink choices (eg. avoid raw foods, ice in drinks).
Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, bloating.

Typhoid

Consider getting vaccinated against typhoid, as it can be contracted through contaminated food and water.

Symptoms of typhoid fever include a high fever, headache, weakness, fatigue, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, loss of appetite, and a rose-colored rash on the chest and abdomen.

Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis can be spread through freshwater contaminated by blood flukes (tiny worms).

Can cause stomach illnesses like diarrhea and cramps or urinary problems.

Avian Influenza

Avian influenza is a viral infection that can spread quickly and easily among birds

Symptoms include fever, chills, runny nose, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, red/watery eyes, or difficulty breathing.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease

Viral illness that primarily affects infants and children.

Symptoms include fever, sore throat, rash on hands, feet, and mouth, and loss of appetite.
Increased risk in overcrowded conditions. No vaccine or medication for prevention.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria that mainly affects the lungs.

Symptoms include feelings of sickness or weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats.
Travellers may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis.

Insect Bite Prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. Cover up and use mosquito repellents to protect against infection.

Chikungunya: Symptoms include joint pains, fever, rash, and headache.
Dengue: Symptoms include high-grade fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, and nausea/vomiting.

Zika: Symptoms include rash, itch, mild fever, headache, red eyes, muscle, and joint pains.

Over the Counter Medications for Travel to Cambodia

Pain Relief

Medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) can be helpful for managing headaches, muscle pain, or fever.

Anti-Diarrheal Medications

It’s advisable to carry over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (e.g., Imodium) to treat mild cases of traveler’s diarrhea. However, it’s important to stay hydrated and seek medical attention if diarrhea persists or worsens.

Antacids

Antacids like Tums or Pepto-Bismol can provide relief from indigestion or heartburn, which can sometimes occur when trying new foods or experiencing changes in diet during travel.

Allergy Medications

If you have known allergies, carrying antihistamines like cetirizine(e.g., Reactine) or diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl) can help manage allergic reactions to environmental allergens or insect bites.

Motion Sickness Medications

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider carrying medication like dimenhydrinate (e.g., Gravol) to alleviate symptoms during long journeys or when traveling by car, train, or boat.

Sun Protection

Cambodia has a sunny climate, so it is essential to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Use sunscreen with a high SPF, wear hats, sunglasses, and lightweight, breathable clothing.

Medical Services and Facilities in Cambodia

Except for some Thai-run hospitals in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, medical facilities throughout Cambodia are extremely poor and very limited.

Doctors and hospitals may demand cash payment or written guarantees from insurance providers in advance for health services.
Medical evacuation to Thailand or Singapore is often required to obtain adequate treatment.
Seek immediate assistance in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap and consider leaving the country if you experience medical problems.
Psychiatric or psychological facilities and services in Cambodia are almost non-existent.

Consular Assistance in Cambodia

Phnom Penh - Office of the Embassy of Canada

Street Address: 27-29 Street 75, Sangkat Srah Chak, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Telephone: +855 99 430 811

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.Canada.ca/Canada-And-Cambodia

Bangkok - Embassy of Canada

Street Address: 15th Floor, Abdulrahim Place, 990 Rama IV, Bangrak, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand

Telephone: +66 (0) 2646 4300

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.Canada.ca/Canada-And-Thailand

In case of emergency, dial:

117 for Police
118 for Firefighters
119 for Medical Assistance

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MD CCFP, FCFP, EM-SEM

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RN, BSN