Iraq Health
1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas.
2: Vaccination against typhoid is advised.
3: Malaria risk is almost entirely in the benign vivax form and exists from May to November principally in areas in the north below 1500m (4920ft) – Basrah, Duhok, Erbil, Ninawa, Sulaimaniya and Ta’min Province. The recommended prophylaxis is chloroquine.
Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Note: (a) All travellers entering Iraq are required to take an AIDS test. A fee will be charged for this. (b) Travellers suffering from AIDS, tuberculosis, syphilis or leprosy will be deported.
Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Diarrhoeal diseases, including giardiasis, dysentery and typhoid fever are common. Hepatitis B is endemic and hepatitis A is widespread. Visceral leishmaniasis is common in central Iraq. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is reported. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever has been reported. Tick-borne relapsing fever may occur.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.
Health care: Health insurance including emergency repatriation cover is essential. Basic modern medical care and medicines may not be available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for services. |
