Of all the countries in the Southeast Asian region, Cambodia potentially embodies the most serious of possible health hazards, in part due to poor sanitation and health infrastructure and also following the discovery of new drug-resistant strains of malaria in its remote regions.  

Providing visitors consult a medical practitioner for the latest advice and exercise recommended precautions, these risks should never put anyone off travelling to Cambodia because the reality is that only a very small amount of travellers experience anything more than a stomach ache.

With the sole exception of Yellow Fever, for those arriving from an infected area, at present no vaccinations are required as a condition of entry to Cambodia. 

However, the decision to avoid medical precautions should either be based on medical advice from your practitioner, or on personal acceptance of risk and, if planning to travel without medical protection it may be prudent to check for pre-qualifying conditions with regard to ignoring medical advice in your travel insurance policy.

Currently recommended vaccinations are Diphtheria, Tetanus, Hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, Polio, Rabies, Tuberculosis and Typhoid, with a course of anti-malarials also highly advised.

Providing visitors exercise good personal hygiene, there are minimal risks from disease in Cambodia, but precautions against malaria are vital. As Dengue Fever and Japanese encephalitis are also borne by mosquitoes, it is advised to use repellents and wear long sleeves and trousers at vulnerable times and places. 

Visitors should avoid drinking tap water, or water from the wild, and should use only bottled water, even for brushing teeth. In common with many other parts of the world, it pays to examine the bottle top seals of bottled water to ensure these have not been re-filled by unscrupulous traders. 

For those unfamiliar with travel in the planet’s tropical regions, special attention should be given to the possibility of dehydration, sunstroke and sunburn. Always drink plenty of water and wear a high factor sunscreen and bear in mind that it is possible to suffer from considerable sunburn even on completely overcast days, particularly in the first few days of your trip. 

Although there are pharmacies in Cambodia, and it is often possible to get medicines over the counter that would require a prescription at home, please be aware that products, including condoms, can often be poor quality, counterfeit or out of date. 

If you rely on particular medication or other health related products it is better to bring an adequate supply with you when you travel. It is also recommended to have a dental check prior to travelling to avoid the unforeseen spoiling your holiday.