North Korea

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• There are cases of malaria in the south of the country, close to the South Korea border but cases are due to the benign form of the parasite, P. Vivax; a preventive treatment is not necessary. It is recommended however to protect yourself carefully from mosquitoes.
• Since November 2006, a measles outbreak has killed four and infected approximately three thousand.
• Cases of Japanese encephalitis (type B) have been reported in rural areas.
• Outbreak of viral hemorrhagic fevers (hantavirus) occur periodically.
• Diarrheic diseases are frequent.

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 carefully 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:
• Yellow fever: the vaccination is available for all children at least one year old.
• 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 conditions 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.
• Rabies: recommended for long stays in isolation. The immunization should be given to children as soon as they are able to walk.
• 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.
• 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.

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

• Health infrastructures are basic: hospitals often lack heating and medication and suffer from frequent power cuts.
• A hospital with an English-speaking staff is open to foreigners in the Munsudong area in Pyongyang.
• Kim Man Yu Hospital, Munsu-Kori, Taedonggang-kuyok: phone + 850 2 622 3111

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Pas de numéros d'urgence.

CLIMATE

• Autumns are sunny and dry, and winters very harsh but sunny and dry.
• Springs are usually foggy and rivers remain icy until mid-April.
• In the summer, during the monsoon, the weather is very hot (30°C) and rainy.
• When to go: September or October.