China
This page contains the main health risks for travellers and general recommendations. Travel conditions are different for everyone and each patient's health condition varies. Discuss your trip during a travel consultation with your doctor or in a travel clinic, preferably six to eight weeks before departure.
Check the current security situation on the federal government website.
Important health risks
Insect-borne diseases
Insects can transmit diseases such as dengue and chikungunya in the south of the country and leishmaniasis.
Japanese encephalitis occurs in all provinces including Tibet, with the exception of Xizang (Tibet), Xinjiang and Qinghai, especially from June to October.
Protect yourself against insects.
Tick-borne encephalitis
Ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease.
Tick-borne encephalitis is present in the north (see the tick-borne encephalitis map of China).
Rabies
Dogs and other mammals can be infected with rabies.
Schistosomiase
There is a risk of infection with schistosomiasis when swimming or bathing in lakes and rivers.
Altitude sickness
You may experience altitude sickness in areas above 2500 metres.
COVID-19
Take a look at the general preventive measures related to COVID-19.
- Carefully read the entry conditions and local measures of this country.
Other possible infections
Other frequent health risks while travelling
Read these tips before you leave.
Vaccinations
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travellers.
Update of basic vaccinations
Polio
A single booster of polio vaccination is recommended for all travellers to Asia or Africa aged 16 years or older.
Other vaccinations
Discuss with your doctor whether one of the following vaccinations is recommended for you:
There is no risk of yellow fever in this country. Vaccination is not required if you are travelling from Belgium.
Vaccination is exceptionally compulsory if you have been in a country where yellow fever may occur the past six days (see map) from the age of nine months. This also applies to transit through an airport that takes more than twelve hours.
This vaccination must be administered at least ten days prior to arrival by an official yellow fever vaccination centre and must be registered in an International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis.