Bangladesh
South Asia · Asia · Physician brief
Polio — WHO recommends a booster for some travelers
Bangladesh is among the states WHO lists as affected by poliovirus under the standing public-health emergency. Travelers should be fully immunized against polio per the Swiss BAG schedule; adults who completed their childhood series are generally advised to have had one lifetime IPV booster. Discuss documentation in an International Certificate of Vaccination (ICVP) with your travel medicine specialist if you plan a long stay.
WHO Polio IHR Emergency Committee / CDC ↗ · Updated 2026
Yellow fever — certificate only if arriving from a risk country
There is no yellow fever risk in Bangladesh. A YF vaccination certificate is required only for travelers arriving from (or transiting more than 12 hours through) a country with risk of YF transmission. Direct travel from Switzerland is not affected.
CDC / WHO ↗ · Updated 2026
Recent alerts
All alerts →On 4 April 2026, the National IHR Focal Point of Bangladesh notified WHO of a significant increase in measles cases, driven by sustained domestic transmission. Since January 2026, Bangladesh has experienced a marked increase in measles cases. Geographically, cases have been repo…
WHO Disease Outbreak News · Apr 23, 2026
On 3 February 2026, the Bangladesh IHR NFP notified WHO of one confirmed case of NiV infection that occurred in Rajshahi Division, northwestern Bangladesh. The case was confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) testing on 29 Janua…
WHO Disease Outbreak News · Feb 6, 2026
Vaccines
Disease-specific guidance
Malaria
ModerateChloroquine-resistant malaria is present, concentrated in the eastern and northern hill and border districts. The Chittagong Hill Tracts (Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachari) carry the highest risk; Cox's Bazar, and parts of Mymensingh, Rangpur and Sylhet divisions also have risk. Dhaka and most central plains are risk-free. Chemoprophylaxis is recommended for the higher-risk hill/border areas; elsewhere mosquito-bite protection is the main measure.
- Highest risk
- Chittagong Hill Tracts (Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachari)
- Also risk
- Cox's Bazar; parts of Mymensingh, Rangpur, Sylhet
- No risk
- Dhaka and most central plains
- Species
- Mostly P. falciparum; some P. vivax (chloroquine-resistant)
- Prevention
- Chemoprophylaxis for hill/border areas; bite protection elsewhere
Yellow fever
NoneNo yellow fever risk in Bangladesh. A YF certificate is required only for travelers arriving from a country with risk of YF transmission. Direct travel from Switzerland is not affected.
Dengue
HighEndemic year-round with large seasonal outbreaks, especially in Dhaka and other urban centers; risk peaks during and after the monsoon (roughly June–October). Daytime mosquito-bite prevention is the main protection.
- Distribution
- Nationwide; major urban outbreaks in Dhaka
- Season
- Year-round; peaks June–October (monsoon)
- Mosquito
- Aedes aegypti — bites during daytime
Chikungunya
HighTransmission occurs with periodic outbreaks, including significant urban activity in Dhaka in recent years. Same daytime Aedes mosquito vector as dengue, so dengue prevention also protects against chikungunya. Vaccination considered in outbreak settings (see EKRM statement).
General prevention
Food & water
Traveler's diarrhea, typhoid, and hepatitis A are common. Use bottled or properly treated water, avoid ice from unverified sources, and stick to thoroughly cooked food and fruit you peel yourself. Cholera circulates in some divisions, so careful food and water hygiene is especially important outside major hotels.
Mosquito protection
Dengue is endemic year-round with very large urban outbreaks (notably in Dhaka), so daytime mosquito protection (DEET or picaridin repellent, long sleeves) is essential everywhere. For rural rice-growing areas add dawn/dusk and overnight protection for Japanese encephalitis, and for the eastern hill and border districts also for malaria.
Sources
Based on CDC Travelers’ Health, CDC Yellow Book, and the Swiss Federal Vaccination Schedule (BAG). Always verify current recommendations before travel.
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This brief is for informational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice.
Consult a travel medicine specialist 4–8 weeks before departure.