Health Tips for Travelers

Bangladesh has a developing economy. Tourist facilities outside major cities and tourist areas are minimal.

CRIME: Crime is a growing problem, particularly in the major cities of Dhaka and Chittagong. Weapons are increasingly used in criminal incidents. Pickpocketing, purse-snatching, and other forms of street crime occur often, especially in areas frequented by foreigners. Visitors should avoid walking alone after dark, carrying large sums of money, or wearing expensive jewelry. Valuables should be stored in the hotel safety deposit box and should not be left unattended in hotel rooms.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities in Bangladesh do not approach western standards, even in tourist areas.

Arthropodborne diseases:

Malaria
Leishmaniasis
Filariasis
Dengue fever
Japanese encephalitis
We recommend:

Usage of long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects
Usage of insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children. Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing
Usage of a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin.
Staying and sleeping in air-conditioned houses
Water- or food borne diseases:

Amoebiasis
Typhoid fever
Brucellosis
Cholora
ETEC (E.coli)
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis E
Giardiasis
Echinococcosis
Other diseases:

Hepatitis B
Rabies
Vaccination recommended:

Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin
Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
Japanese encephalitis - only if you plan to visit rural areas for more than four weeks
Typhoid fever - vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region
Rabies - if risk for contact with wild or domestic animals
A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within th last 10 years.
Yellow fever when entering from a yellow fever endemic region
Cholera
Stay healthy:

Wash hands often with soap and water.
Drink only boiled water, or water and carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans
Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it
Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.
Prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
Do not travel at night
Trafic accidents are frequent, be careful
Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
Use chloroquine and proguanil as malaria prophylaxis; except in the forest areas and in south-east where we recommend mefloquine (Chloroquine resistance)