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      India

      Latest update: - Authors: Mieke Croughs, Ula Maniewski

      Outbreaks

      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.

      Read also the information on security, healthcare and other practical aspects on the FPS Foreign Affairs website.

      Important health risks

      Malaria

      The malaria risk is:

      • high in certain regions below 2000 m in the states Mizoram in the extreme east at the border with Bangladesh and Myanmar and Chhattisgarh in the east. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning, in combination with the use of malaria tablets. 
      • moderate in regions bordering the high risk regions, in some places in the north of the state Chhattisgarh and in the south of Jharkhand and on the Nicobar islands. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning. For people with an increased risk, we sometimes recommend preventive malaria tablets, or taking an emergency treatment with you. 
      • low in the rest of the country below 2000 m, also in New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Rajasthan and other cities, and the Andaman islands.

      There is no malaria risk in in the areas above 2000 m in the north.

      • Species: P.falciparum 99%.

      In case of fever during or after your journey, get tested for malaria as soon as possible.

      Other insect-borne diseases

      Insects can transmit diseases such as denguechikungunyazika and leishmaniasis.

      Japanese encephalitis occurs in the entire country and all year round. In the North the risk is highest, especially in the period from May to November.

      Protect yourself against insects

      Ticks

      Ticks can transmit diseases.

      Rabies

      Dogs and other mammals can be infected with rabies.

      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.

      Other possible infections

      Other frequent health risks while travelling

      Read these tips before you leave.

      Vaccinations

      Hepatitis A

      Recommended

      Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travellers.

      Update of basic vaccinations

      Recommended

      Polio

      Recommended, sometimes mandatory

      A single booster of polio vaccination is recommended for all travellers to Asia or Africa aged 16 years or older.

      For travellers from certain countries in Asia or Africa where polio occurs, polio vaccination is compulsory.

      Other vaccinations

      Recommended for some travellers

      Discuss with your doctor whether one of the following vaccinations is recommended for you:

      Yellow fever

      Exceptionally mandatory for some travellers

      There is no risk of yellow fever in this country. Vaccination is not necessary if you are travelling from Belgium.    

      Vaccination is exceptionally compulsory if you have been in a country where yellow fever may occur in the past six days, even if you are in transit through an airport (see map) from the age of nine months. 
      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.

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