Health & vaccines for Cambodia — what you really need to prepare

We have been living in Cambodia for several years. The country does not require extraordinary medical preparation — but a few basic rules apply. Consulting a doctor or an international vaccination center 6 to 8 weeks before departure remains the best decision you can make.

Recommended vaccines for Cambodia

No vaccine is mandatory to enter Cambodia if you are coming from France (unless you are coming from a country endemic to yellow fever). However, several vaccines are strongly recommended by French health authorities.

Essential vaccines

• Hepatitis A: transmitted through contaminated water and food. Real risk in Cambodia, including in tourist restaurants. Very effective vaccine, 2 injections covering 20 years.
• Typhoid: same transmission mode as hepatitis A. Vaccine recommended especially if you eat outside the typical tourist circuits (markets, street food).
• DTP (Diphtheria-Tetanus-Polio): check that your booster is up to date. Polio is officially eradicated in Cambodia but DTP remains a basic requirement.

Vaccines based on your travel profile

• Rabies: recommended if you plan to hike in rural areas, have possible contact with animals (stray dogs, bats), or have a long stay. Rabies is present in Cambodia — and a bite without a vaccine requires quickly finding immunoglobulins, which are not always available locally.
• Japanese encephalitis: recommended for prolonged stays in rural or rice-growing areas, especially during the rainy season. Not necessary for a typical tourist circuit.
• Hepatitis B: recommended if you plan to receive medical care on-site, engage in activities with a risk of injury, or have a long stay.

Malaria — what is the real risk?

Malaria exists in Cambodia, but the risk is very low for tourist travelers visiting typical areas: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Kampot, the beaches of Sihanoukville, and the islands are considered negligible risk areas.

The risk becomes more significant in forested and border areas, notably:

• Mondulkiri (forested province in the east)
• Ratanakiri (northeast border province)
• Cardamom forest areas

Cambodia is also affected by resistance to standard anti-malarials (chloroquine, mefloquine). If prescribed, atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone) is generally recommended by French doctors for this region.

Dengue and mosquito protection

Dengue is present in Cambodia year-round, with a peak during the rainy season (June-October). Unlike malaria, it can affect urban areas — including Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

There is no specific treatment for dengue (symptoms are treated). Prevention relies entirely on mosquito protection:

• Body repellent: DEET 30-50% or IR3535, to be applied to exposed areas at dusk (but also during the day for dengue)
• Long clothing: especially in the evening, cover arms and legs
• Mosquito net: useful in low-budget guesthouses or rural areas
• Air conditioning: mosquitoes dislike the cold — an air-conditioned room significantly reduces risk

Water, sun, and heat

Tap water

Tap water is not drinkable in Cambodia. Even in good hotels, it is not intended for direct consumption. Drink exclusively:

• Bottled water (easily available everywhere, $0.25 to $0.50 / 1.5L)
• Filtered water (some hotels and cafes offer filters)
• Boiled water

Ice in tourist restaurants is generally made from filtered water and is safe. In more remote street stalls, it's better to avoid or ask.

Sun and heat

Cambodia is close to the equator: the sun is intense year-round, and the heat can be exhausting, especially in March-April (35 to 40°C). A few precautions:

• High SPF sunscreen (SPF 50+): available in pharmacies in Cambodia, but cheaper if you bring it from France
• Hat and sunglasses
• Avoid full exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM for temple visits — go early in the morning
• Hydration: drink regularly, at least 2 to 3L of water per day in hot weather

Clinics and pharmacies in Phnom Penh

In case of health issues, Phnom Penh has several quality private clinics with English-speaking staff:

In Siem Reap, the Royal Angkor International Hospital also has a good technical platform and English-speaking doctors. For severe cases requiring complex surgery, a transfer to Bangkok is sometimes arranged.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies are very numerous in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Many medications available only by prescription in France are sold over the counter in Cambodia — convenient for emergencies, but always consult a doctor for any serious issue. The quality of local generic medications varies: prefer licensed pharmacies and well-known brands.

Recommended travel pharmacy

Bringing a small first aid kit will save you from having to look for a pharmacy in an emergency for everyday minor injuries:

• Antiseptic: Betadine or Biseptine — cuts and scrapes in Cambodia can get infected quickly in warm and humid environments
• Anti-diarrheal: Smecta or loperamide — traveler's diarrhea is common in the first few days
• Oral rehydration: rehydration salt packets (ORS) — essential in case of diarrhea due to high heat
• Antihistamine: for allergic reactions or insect bites
• Pain reliever / antipyretic: paracetamol only (no ibuprofen if dengue is suspected)
• Band-aids and sterile compresses
• Mosquito repellent: DEET or IR3535 — cheaper to bring than to buy locally

Emergency numbers in Cambodia

In case of a serious medical emergency, first call your travel insurance — they can arrange a transfer to the most suitable clinic and direct care.