Bangladesh

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Except Dhaka, the whole country is affected by malaria (zone 3, high resistance to chloroquine). The most affected areas are the Chittagong Hill Tracts, in the southeast of the country (where the epidemic has been present for a long time), and in the south of the country, especially in the northeast within the area of Sylhet (where the epidemic is more recent).
• Dengue fever is present in Dhaka. An upsurge has been observed in July 2008; authorities have tried to curb it thanks to a sensibilization campaign.
• Bangladeh has been recently affected by the avian flu epizootic. No cases of human transmission have been reported yet.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country.
• Diarrheic diseases are common.

FOOD SAFETY

• Gastric diseases are common among tourists who are not accustomed to local food or who do not take precautions.
• Do not drink tap water and favor bottled mineral water, without ice; avoid eating ice cream and sherbet.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked dishes, especially meat or fish. If possible, order hot dishes.
• Bring anti-diarrhea medication with you.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before each meal.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION

• Travellers entering the country from an endemic area are required to present a certificate of immunization against yellow fever.
Systematically:
• Hepatitis A: the vaccination is available for children at least one year old. For persons who were born before 1945, who have spent their childhood in a developing country or who have had an icterus, it may prove useful to search previously for serous antibodies in order to avoid an unnecessary shot.
• Hepatitis B: the vaccination is available for children at least two months old.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis: get a booster shot before leaving if your last shot is more than ten years old.



Depending on the duration and the condition of the trip:
• Typhoid fever: if the stay is occurring in precarious hygiene condition. The immunization is available for children at least 2 years old.
• Japanese encephalitis: for stays longer than a month in rural areas during the rain season. The immunization is available for children at least one year old.
• Rabies: recommended for long stays in isolation. The immunization should be given to children as soon as they are able to walk.
• Tuberculosis: in case of a long stay, it is recommended to have children immunized against tuberculosis as soon as they reach the age of one month, and against mumps, measles and rubella when they reach the age of nine months.
• Recommended chemoprophylaxis against malaria: mefloquine (commercial name: Lariam) or doxycycline (commercial name: Doxypalu).

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

Dhaka
• British High Commission Clinic, Elizabeth House, House 23, Park Road (Corner of Road 6), Baridhara: phone, + 880 2 882 4345
• Dr Wahab's Medical Centre, House 3, Road 12, Baridhara: phone + 880 2 882 1454
• Appolo Hospital, Plot 1, Block E, Bashundara R/A: phone + 880 986 0725
• Zaimal Haque Sikder Hospital, Road 104, House 5, Gulshan 2: phone + 880 988 7458 or + 880 881 5363

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 999
• Police: 199
• Ambulances: 912-3073 or 821 2041

CLIMATE

• The climate is subtropical and tropical, with a cool and dry season (21°C minimum) from November to February and a rainy season which goes from April to October.
• The monsoon hits Bangladesh from June to September, which causes numerous floods.
• Hurricanes may occur from May to June, as well as during October and november.
• From March to May, both humidity and temperatures are very high (35°C), with numerous and violent storms.
• When to go: between November and February.