Lao People’s Democratic Republic Travel Health Guide for US Travelers
A physician-reviewed health and safety guide for Americans traveling to Lao People’s Democratic Republic
The U.S. Department of State advises Americans to Exercise Increased Caution in Laos due to civil unrest. Official guidance also says to Reconsider Travel to Xaisomboun Province and warns travelers about unexploded bombs in several provinces and on specific routes.
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Capital: Vientiane | Region: Southeast Asia | Language: Lao
Before You Travel to Laos
Laos is a diverse Southeast Asian destination with river travel, mountain and rural routes, historic cities, and variable health risk by province. For U.S. travelers, the main concerns are region-specific malaria planning, current polio concern, food and water safety, rabies exposure, and route safety due to unexploded ordnance in some provinces. A travel medicine visit should ideally happen at least 4–6 weeks before departure.
Visit a Travel Clinic
Discuss polio booster needs, Typhoid, route-specific malaria tablets, Rabies, and routine vaccines before departure.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance with evacuation cover is strongly recommended, especially for remote overland or rural travel.
Know Your Province
Laos should not be treated as one uniform risk zone. Malaria risk, civil unrest, and unexploded ordnance warnings vary by province and route.
Pack a Serious Medical Kit
Bring any prescribed malaria tablets, insect repellent, rehydration salts, prescription medicines, and simple treatment for stomach illness.
Food & Water Safety
CDC recommends Typhoid for most travelers, which reflects the importance of safe food and water habits in Laos.
Unexploded Ordnance Awareness
Official U.S. guidance warns of unexploded bombs in several provinces and on specific routes. Do not travel off well-used roads and paths.
Yellow Fever in Laos
Practical Yellow Fever Advice
For Laos, yellow fever is not the main vaccine issue. Current CDC guidance places much more emphasis on polio, Typhoid, Rabies, and malaria depending on the province.
Malaria in Laos
Atovaquone/Proguanil
CDC lists atovaquone-proguanil as an option in the southern malaria provinces.
Doxycycline
CDC also lists doxycycline as an option for the southern malaria provinces.
Tafenoquine
CDC includes tafenoquine among the options for the southern malaria-risk provinces, where appropriate.
Laos is one of the clearest examples of route-specific malaria advice: a Vientiane or Luang Prabang itinerary is very different from travel through the southern provinces.
Even where malaria tablets are not needed, insect precautions still matter because mosquitoes can transmit other infections.
Recommended Vaccines for Laos
Polio Booster Review
CDC says poliovirus has been identified in Laos in the past year, and travelers are at increased risk of exposure. Adults who completed childhood vaccination may receive a single lifetime booster dose.
MMR
CDC says all international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles.
Typhoid
CDC recommends Typhoid for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.
Rabies
CDC says dogs infected with rabies are commonly found in Laos, though post-exposure vaccine is typically available throughout most of the country.
Pre-Departure Checklist for Laos
- Review the current Level 2 advisory before departure
- Do not treat Laos as one uniform risk zone
- Review whether your route enters malaria-risk southern provinces
- Discuss polio booster needs, Typhoid, and Rabies planning with a travel clinician
- Buy travel insurance with evacuation cover
- Use safe food and water habits
- Avoid off-road areas because of unexploded ordnance risk
- Carry insect repellent and a serious travel medical kit
