Below we have set out what is the general guidance for travel to Pakistan. We strongly advise you to consult with your own GP or travel clinic near you before traveling. They will have the most up to date and medically accurate information relevant to you, and should be relied upon over these recommendations.
Strongly Advised Vaccinations
– Hepatitis A: This can be spread via contaminated food and water. – Tetanus: Tetanus is often present in the soil, and can contaminate open wounds easily. Tetanus vaccine should be used every ten years if traveling. – Typhoid: Typhoid can also be spread via contaminated food and water, and poor hygiene. – Diphtheria: This potentially fatal disease is spread mainly via spit, but occasionally through contact with cuts on the skin. – Yellow Fever: This can be contracted by being bitten by a contaminated mosquito. This vaccination is not essential if you are arriving directly in Pakistan. You do need it though if you plan to arrive through any country that is subject to yellow fever. Simply stopping over at an airport in an affected country should not require vaccination, but leaving the airport even briefly would make it necessary.
Malaria
In Pakistan, the risk of malaria is not prevalent in higher altitude regions like Skardu or most Himalaya Karkoram treks we organize. However, travelers should be aware of the risk of malaria in areas below 1,500m, particularly in regions like Islamabad, Naran, Chilas, Rawalpindi, it’s essential to take anti-malarial medication and follow preventive measures such as wearing long-sleeved clothing and using DEET-based mosquito repellent to avoid mosquito bites, especially during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are active.