Philippines

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

Travel health and safety for Philippines 🇵🇭

The Philippines is a verdant tropical paradise known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and warm hospitality.

With over 7,000 islands, the Philippines has some of the most beautiful and diverse beaches in the world, each with its own unique charm. One of the most famous beaches in the Philippines is White Beach on the island of Boracay. It’s renowned for its powdery white sand and stunning turquoise waters.

Visitors to the Philippines must try Adobo, a mouthwatering dish of marinated meat (usually chicken or pork) cooked in vinegar, soy sauce, and spices. A popular Filipino dessert, Halo-Halo is a colorful mix of shaved ice, various sweet ingredients like jellies, fruits, and beans, topped with leche flan (caramel custard) and purple yam ice cream.

In the Philippines, you’ll find a harmonious blend of natural beauty, rich history, and warm hospitality, making it a must-visit destination for any traveler seeking adventure and culture.

Travel Immunizations for Philippines

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

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus can cause liver disease, and in rare cases, liver failure and death.

Can be spread by fecal-oral transmission, consuming contaminated food or water, or close, personal contact with an infected person.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and joint pain.

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.

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.

Japanese Encephalitis (JE)

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.

Cholera

Cholera is a serious intestinal infection caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacteria.

Found in infected water or food contaminated with the bacteria.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, leg cramps, watery diarrhea.
Strongly consider getting vaccinated against cholera.

Typhoid

Typhoid is a bacterial infection typically transmitted through contaminated food and water.

Consider getting vaccinated against typhoid.
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.

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.

Philippines 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.

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.
Use insect repellents containing DEET, wear long sleeves, long pants, and consider staying in accommodations with screens or bed nets.

Schistosomiasis

Parasitic disease that can spread to humans through freshwater sources contaminated by blood flukes (tiny worms).

Symptoms include itchy rash at site of penetration, fever, cough, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Avoid swimming in freshwater sources (lakes, rivers, ponds).

Insect Bite Prevention

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

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

Chikungunya: Symptoms include joint pains, fever, rash, and headache.
Zika: Symptoms include rash, itch, mild fever, headache, red eyes, muscle, and joint pains.
- Typically spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, but also very small risk of sexual transmission
- Pregnant women should consider postponing non-essential travel to countries with moderate risk, and should postpone non-essential travel to high-risk countries

Over the Counter Medications for Travel to the Philippines

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

It is essential to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, wear hats, sunglasses, and lightweight, breathable clothing.

Medical Services and Facilities in the Philippines

Good medical services and facilities are limited in availability, especially outside major urban areas. Public medical clinics often lack basic resources and equipment.
Quality of care varies greatly throughout the country. Most hospitals will require a down payment of estimated fees at the time of admission. They may also require additional payments during hospitalization.
Some hospitals require patients to have a full-time caregiver. You may have to hire one if you’re travelling alone.
Emergency services are not widely available. Response time can be slow.
If you become seriously ill or injured, you may require evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities.
Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Consular Assistance in the Philippines

In case of emergency, dial 911.

Manila - Embassy of Canada

Street Address: Levels 6-8, Tower 2, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Manila, Philippines 1200

Telephone: +63 2 8857 9000

Email: [email protected]

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

Cebu  - Honorary consul of Canada

Street Address: RD Corporate Center, 96 Gov. M.C. Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City 6000, Philippines

Telephone: +63 999-994-1358

Email: [email protected]

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

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We know how hard it can be for Canadians to get the healthcare they need, when they need it. That’s why Rockdoc is on a mission to help Canadians navigate healthcare. We have decades of experience providing emergent, urgent, and continuing healthcare services and solutions – meeting and exceeding the standard of care for our patients and our communities.

Dr. Sam Gutman

CEO and Chief Medical Officer
MD CCFP, FCFP, EM-SEM

Dr. Shaan Pawa

Associate Medical Director
MD CCFP-EM CTH®

Kristyna Sorensen

Medical Operations Manager
RN, BSN