Travel Health Planner

General Information

Population: 1.7 million. Language: Dzongkha (official), Nepalese and English. Capital City: Thimphu (pop. 16,000).

The Kingdom of Bhutan lies in the eastern Himalayas and covers 47,000 sq. kms. In the north the country is mountainous, falling to forested mountainous ridges and fertile valleys descending to low foothills in the south. The north has permanent snowfields and the south has sub-tropical forest. The cultivated central uplands support the bulk of the population.

The climate varies according to altitude. The north is cold and permanently snowcapped but the cold in central Bhutan is less severe. Rainfall is moderate in the central plateau but torrential in the south. Temperatures vary from 4C in January to 17C in July.

Cholera Information

Cholera is currently reported in this country. It may also be listed by WHO as infected with cholera.

The Travel Doctor TMVC does not generally recommend vaccination. The current whole -cell vaccine is poorly protective and has high rates of side effects. The new oral choleravaccination is being evaluated and may be of benefit for long term residents in regionswhere cholera is endemic. Care with food and beverage selection is far more important thanvaccination.

Cholera vaccination is not subject to International Health Regulations for any countryhowever there are a few border crossings in Africa where customs officials may seek acertificate of vaccination.

The disease cholera is caused by a food and water borne bacteria. The organism is found widelyin the developing world, mostly in areas where sanitation infrastructure is lacking. It isestimated that only 1 in 500,000 travellers will have symptomatic illness.

Malaria Information

Risk (WHO):
Malaria risk exists throughout the year in the southern belt of the country comprising fi ve districts: Chhukha, Samchi, Samdrup Jonkhar, Geyleg-phug and Shemgang. P. falciparum resistant to chloroquine and sulfadoxine - pyrimethamine reported.

Yellow Fever Information

Yellow Fever does not occur in this country.

Country Requirements (WHO):
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.