On this page, you'll find advice about common infectious diseases you may encounter while travelling. You should consult your doctor for advice about your specific circumstances.
For general advice on staying healthy while travelling, visit our Health page.
Chikungunya virus is a febrile (fever) viral illness.
Chikungunya disease is caused by the bite of a mosquito infected with the Chikungunya virus. Mosquitoes that can spread the virus are not normally found in New Zealand.
Symptoms of chikungunya virus infection include fever, severe joint and muscle pain, headache and a rash. More severe illness may occur in the elderly or newborns.
Most people recover and feel better within a week of their symptoms starting. But some people can feel joint pain for months after being infected. Those most at risk of becoming very sick include:
You can only be infected with chikungunya overseas, mostly in tropical regions, including Africa, Asia, the Western Pacific and the Americas.
There are currently no medications or vaccines to prevent chikungunya. The main method is to reduce your risk of being bitten by mosquitoes while overseas. See our advice on Mosquito-borne illness prevention.
There is no specific treatment for chikungunya. You can help yourself recover by:
Talk to your healthcare provider about what medicines you are already using before taking any more to manage your chikungunya symptoms.
Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs until you have had medical advice to rule out dengue fever. These can increase the risk of bleeding.
Dengue (break-bone fever) is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people. It is more common in tropical and subtropical climates.
Dengue fever is spread by infected mosquitoes to people.
The mosquitoes that carry dengue are not found in New Zealand, so the virus is only caught while overseas.
There is no widely available vaccine to protect people against dengue. The best prevention is to minimise the risk of mosquito bites when overseas.
Most people who get dengue will not have symptoms. But for those who do, the most common symptoms are high fever, headache, body aches, nausea, and rash. Most will get better in 1–2 weeks. Some people develop severe dengue and need care in a hospital. In severe cases, dengue can be life threatening.
People who have previously been infected with dengue fever are at an increased risk of developing severe dengue if they contract the virus again.
Dengue fever is not endemic (normally present) in New Zealand. It is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates world-wide, including Africa, the Central and South Americas, the Mediterranean region, South-East Asia, and the Western Pacific region including North Queensland (Australia) and Pacific Island countries. The virus is always present in endemic countries but cannot be spread directly from person-to-person.
Currently, there are often outbreaks of dengue fever in South-East Asia, Africa and Pacific countries. Increased holiday and business travel to these countries increases the number of dengue cases and outbreaks around the world. It is especially important for people travelling to these countries to take extra steps to avoid mosquito bites and to know how they can protect themselves and their families from dengue fever.
To avoid dengue while travelling to the Pacific, you should take extra precautions to prevent mosquito bites and to know how you can protect yourself and your family from dengue fever. See our advice on Mosquito-borne illness prevention.
Malaria is caused by parasite which is passed to humans by an infected mosquito. An infection can be life-threatening if not treated.
Malaria is a disease that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, not found in New Zealand. Symptoms can range from high fevers, chills, headaches, nausea and vomiting and body aches. Malaria symptoms can appear suddenly and intensely. Other common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing, arthralgia, and abdominal and back pain.
Symptoms usually start within 10 to 15 days after infection, but can be milder for some people, especially if you have had malaria before.
Malaria is common in parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the South Pacific and Eastern Europe.
If you are travelling to a country with malaria, talk to your healthcare provider to find out what precautions you should take. You need to do this 4 to 6 weeks before you travel as some medicines need to be started before you leave New Zealand.
As well as taking the right medicines to prevent malaria, it is also important to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes while you are overseas.
See our advice on Mosquito-borne illness prevention.
Because some malaria symptoms are not specific, getting tested early is important. Some types of malaria can cause severe illness and death.
Sometimes symptoms develop weeks or months after infection. Some types can come back months or years later. If you have been to an area with malaria in the past 12 months, and you have fever or a flu-like illness, you should be tested for the disease.
Measles is a very contagious viral illness that spreads easily between people and makes most people feel very unwell. It can also cause serious health problems, including diarrhoea, chest infections and brain swelling. About 1 in 3 people with measles will need hospital care.
Initial symptoms can include fever (above 38°C), cough, coryza and conjunctivitis. Between day 3 and day 7 of illness a generalized maculopapular rash develops, starting on the head and neck and then spreading to the rest of the body.
Measles is a serious viral infection. Some people may suffer from severe complications such as:
It is recommended that all travelers are fully vaccinated against measles when travelling to any international destination as many countries globally are experiencing measles outbreaks. Outbreaks have occurred in a number of countries including
Measles is almost entirely preventable through vaccination.
The Ministry of Health is strongly recommending all people travelling overseas to any destination are fully immunised against measles with two doses of MMR vaccine before they go. Current MMR Immunisation rates in New Zealand mean that a non-immune person infected with measles overseas may spread the disease to others within New Zealand on their return. We need at least 95% of people to be immunised to stop an outbreak. This also protects babies who are too young to be vaccinated, and severely immunocompromised people.
If you are unsure whether you are protected against measles, check with your health practitioner. If there is not enough time before you travel to complete the recommended two doses, having even one MMR vaccination before you leave New Zealand will substantially reduce your (or your child’s) risk of getting infected. It takes two weeks to develop immunity after vaccination, so, ideally get vaccinated two weeks before travel.
More information about how to check your immunity and what to do if you are not immune here.
Children who have not yet been immunised are at greatest risk of the disease and the Ministry of Health recommends that infants aged 4-11 months travelling to countries with a measles outbreak be given MMR vaccine before their travel. While measles immunisation is usually given at age 12 months and 15 months in New Zealand, the MMR vaccine can be given to children as young as 4 months. Because the vaccine's effectiveness is lower for babies under 12 months of age, if they are given the vaccine, they will still need two further doses of the vaccine at 12 months and 15 months for long-term protection. Two doses of MMR vaccine give long-lasting protection to at least 98 percent of people.
Many teenagers and young adults have missed one or both doses of the vaccine and may be unaware that they are not immune. People who aren’t sure whether they are up to date with all their scheduled immunisation can check with their general practice, or in their Well Child Tamariki Ora health book. For those who are not sure whether they have had both recommended doses, there are no additional safety issues with inadvertently having a third dose. It is important that this dose is documented.
Find more information about protecting your health when you’re travelling on our health page and read our travel advice about your destination.
Also, read keeping healthy when travelling on the Health New Zealand website.
You should consult with their healthcare provider and discuss travel plans, reasons for travel, steps to prevent, and potential risks for you.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral disease. There are two genetically and clinically distinct clades or subtypes of mpox virus (MPXV), I and II, and they are endemic to central and west Africa respectively. Clade I has previously been observed to be more transmissible and to cause a higher proportion of severe infections than clade II MPXV. The ongoing global mpox outbreak that began in 2022 is caused by clade II MPXV, and sporadic cases continue to be reported worldwide, including New Zealand.
On 14 August 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency, its highest form of alert, following an outbreak of clade Ib virus, from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to neighbouring countries including Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Central African Republic, and Kenya.
Mpox is most commonly passed on through close physical or sexual contact. Mpox may also be spread through contact with objects contaminated with the virus such as bedding, or body fluids of animals infected wild animals.
The risk of it spreading widely in New Zealand remains low.
You are able to give someone else mpox from when your symptoms start until your rash and scabs heal.
Symptoms may include fever, rash, headache, muscle aches, and swollen glands.
If travelling to mpox-affected countries, persons at higher risk such as men who have sex with men, sex workers, or persons working in affected area health services, should consult with their health care provider regarding extra protective measures. All travellers should take precautions to avoid mpox infections including the following:
If you have been in DRC or its neighbouring countries in the last 21 days and develop mpox symptoms stay home, self-isolate and seek medical advice. Many illnesses can cause similar symptoms so it may not be mpox, but it is important to get help.
Some countries are imposing border measures to help prevent the spread of mpox.
Travellers entering Indonesia need to complete an electronic health declaration form called the SATUSEHAT Health Pass. You can complete the form online before you check-in for your flight to Indonesia. After completing the form, a barcode containing your health and travel history will appear. Indonesian authorities will scan the barcode on arrival in Indonesia. Save your barcode, or bring a printed copy with you to ensure authorities can scan it on arrival. If you have mpox symptoms you may be referred to a hospital for treatment on arrival.
If you need to visit a medical practice or hospital for care, you should call ahead before visiting to let them know you are coming and tell them about your symptoms. To avoid passing on mpox to others, wear a well-fitted medical mask, cover any rashes or blisters on your skin, and travel via private transport.
Oropouche virus disease (also known as Oropouche fever) is a febrile illness, where patients typically recover quickly. The Oropouche virus is spread to humans through the bites of infected biting midges (Culicoides paraensis). Mosquitoes, monkeys, birds, rodents, and sloths can also be involved in transmission.
The midge species C. paraensis is not found in New Zealand but is widely distributed in the Americas.
Oropouche virus infection in pregnant women may lead to miscarriage, abortion, developmental problems, and foetal deformities.
Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache, stiff joints, aches, and pains and, in some cases photophobia (fear of light), diplopia (double vision), nausea and persistent vomiting, and occasionally more severe symptoms, such as hemorrhage, neurological symptoms, and meningitis.
Symptoms can last from five to seven days, Direct human-to-human transmission of the virus has not yet been documented.
Oropouche virus disease has been reported in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, French Guiana and Venezuela; most cases were reported near the Amazon rainforest area. Case have also been reported in Latin America and the Caribbean: Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Guyana, Peru and the Dominican Republic.
There are no vaccines to prevent, or specific treatments, for Oropouche virus disease.
Those travelling to affected countries listed above should take steps to avoid midge and mosquito bites.
Protective measures include using fine mesh mosquito nets in beds, wearing clothing that covers legs and arms, and applying repellents containing DEET, IR3535 or icaridin. Midges are much smaller than mosquitoes so traditional mosquito nets will not protect against their bites. Also see our advice on Mosquito-borne illness prevention.
Pregnant women who are planning travel to Brazil, Cuba, or Oropouche-affected countries, should consult with their healthcare provider and discuss travel plans, reasons for travel, steps to prevent midges and mosquito bites, and potential risks.
Polio is an infectious disease caused by a virus that can spread from person to person or through contaminated water or food.
Many people who are infected don’t feel sick or have symptoms. Some people have only minor symptoms such as fever, nausea, headache, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, stiffness in the neck and back, and pain in the arms and legs. A small proportion of those with symptoms develop paralysis.
Polio has been eradicated from New Zealand and from most of the countries around the world.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised of an increase in polio activity in areas which have previously seen eradication. On 28 March 2024, the Director-General for the WHO determined that the poliovirus situation continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Below we highlight some countries where the polio situation has recently changed.
Refer to the list of endemic countries or countries with poliovirus outbreak via Polio Global Eradication Initiative page.
There is no cure, but polio can be prevented through vaccination. WHO recommends that all travellers to polio-affected countries be fully vaccinated against polio, including boosters, prior to departure - see advice below.
Good hand washing practices can help prevent the spread of this disease. Because the virus that causes polio lives in the faeces (poop) of an infected person, people infected with the disease can spread it to others when they do not wash their hands well after using the toilet. People can also be infected if they drink water or eat food contaminated with infected faeces.
Infections from vaccine-derived poliovirus occur on occasion in countries still using live poliovirus vaccine, and has now been seen in countries that do not use live poliovirus vaccine (e.g. USA). Vaccination against polio before travel will protect against these outbreaks. New Zealand does not use live poliovirus vaccine.
Fully vaccinated means:
This advice is in addition to any other travel-specific vaccinations that may be required.
You should consult with their healthcare provider and discuss travel plans, reasons for travel, steps to prevent, and potential risks for you.
Rabies is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic, viral disease.
Dogs are the main source of rabies virus transmission, through bites or scratches, usually via saliva. The rabies virus (Lyssavirus rabies) infects your brain and central nervous system.
The first signs (normally within 2-3 months) of rabies may be like the flu and can include weakness, headache and fever. Without post-exposure treatment, which is recommended within 24 hours of exposure, rabies is virtually 100% fatal.
Rabies predominantly affects poor and vulnerable populations who live in remote rural locations. Areas considered as high risk for rabies include Africa, Cambodia, China, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Viet Nam, Myanmar, Nepal, India, Israel, Lebanon, Syria.
Areas free of rabies are typically islands including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Japan, Australia, some islands in Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific. New Zealand has never had a case of rabies.
To reduce your risk of rabies:
If you’ve been bitten or scratched by an animal suspected to have rabies:
West Nile Virus (WNV) can cause a fatal neurological disease in humans, including meningitis or encephalitis.
Human infection is most often the result of bites from infected mosquitoes. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds, which circulate the virus in their blood for a few days. The virus eventually gets into the mosquito's salivary glands. During later blood meals (when mosquitoes bite), the virus may be injected into humans and animals, where it can multiply and possibly cause illness. The virus may also be transmitted through contact with other infected animals, their blood, or other tissues. A very small proportion of human infections have occurred through organ transplant, blood transfusions and breast milk. There is one reported case of transplacental (mother-to-child) WNV transmission. To date, no human-to-human transmission of WNV through casual contact has been documented, and no transmission of WNV to health care workers has been reported when standard infection control precautions have been put in place. Transmission of WNV to laboratory workers has been reported.
Most people infected with WNV do not experience any symptoms. About 1 in 5 people will develop a fever, headache, and joint and muscle aches. About 1 in 150 people develop a serious, sometimes fatal illness. The more serious illness can occur in people of any age, however people over the age of 50 and some immunocompromised people have the highest risk of falling severely ill when infected with WNV.
WNV was first isolated in a woman in the West Nile district of Uganda in 1937 and since this human infections have been reported in many countries in the World for over 50 years including Israel, Tunisia, Greece, Israel, Romania, Russia and USA. Outbreak sites are on major birds migratory routes. In its original range, WNV was prevalent throughout Africa, parts of Europe, Middle East, West Asia, and Australia. Since its introduction in 1999 into USA, the virus has spread and is now widely established from Canada to Venezuela.
No vaccine is available for humans. In the absence of a vaccine, reduce your exposure to mosquitos. See our advice on Mosquito-borne illness prevention.
If you are in contact with animals, wear gloves and other protective clothing while handling sick animals or their tissues, and during slaughtering and culling procedures.
You should consult with your healthcare provider and discuss your travel plans, reasons for travel, steps to prevent, and potential risks for you.
Yellow fever (YF) is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. It is endemic in tropical areas of Africa (34 countries) and Latin America (13 countries). Vaccination is the most important and effective measure against YF providing effective immunity within 30 days for 99% of those vaccinated.
The disease is spread by mosquitoes that bite mostly during the day. Yellow fever can cause a serious haemorrhagic Illness that can be fatal for humans. The “yellow” in the name refers to the jaundice that affects some patients. Travellers to areas considered “at risk” can help limit the spread of the disease to vulnerable local populations by ensuring they are vaccinated where recommended.
The incubation period between being bitten by a mosquito to developing infection is 3-6 days. Symptoms including fever, headache, myalgia, conjunctival infection, facial flushing and relative bradycardia (slow heart rate) are common. In severe cases, these symptoms remit for a few hours to days then recur with high fever, headache, lumbosacral pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, impaired level of consciousness, severe hepatitis, shock and multisite haemorrhage. In many patients, there will be improvement in symptoms and gradual recovery 3-4 days after the onset of symptoms. About 15% of people infected with yellow fever develop a more severe form of the illness, and of those, up to half will die.
Survival rates are improved with supportive hospital care, however, there is no specific cure for YF.
Countries which have suffered recent outbreaks of YF include Trinidad in the Caribbean, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
In South America, from January to March 2024, 7 confirmed yellow fever cases, including 4 fatal cases, have been reported in Colombia (3 fatal cases), Guyana (2 cases), and Peru (2 cases including one death). Additionally, Brazil has reported confirmed yellow fever in monkeys which indicates it is circulating in the country.
The mosquitoes that can spread this virus are not found in New Zealand. New Zealand is free from yellow fever virus.
Yellow fever is prevented by a vaccine. A single dose of YF vaccine is sufficient to grant life-long protection. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises YF vaccine for all travellers aged 9 months and older visiting countries with areas with a risk of YF.
Travellers who are planning to travel to countries in Africa or South America where YF is endemic should receive vaccination. Yellow fever vaccination in New Zealand is only available from an authorised YF vaccinator from these designated vaccination centres .
Travellers to countries where mosquito borne illnesses can spread are advised to use insect repellent, wear protective clothing, and stay in lodgings where there are mosquito screens on windows and doors. Because yellow fever virus is transmitted by mosquitoes mostly active during daytime, it is important that all travellers visiting affected areas continue to take protective measures to prevent mosquito bites throughout the day. See our advice on Mosquito-borne illness prevention.
If you feel unwell during your trip or in the first three weeks after your return, you are advised to seek immediate medical advice and tell the doctor about your travel.
Zika virus is a flavivirus and is closely related to Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, dengue, and yellow fever viruses. Since its discovery in Uganda in 1948, Zika has continued to expand its geographic range, from Africa and Asia to Pacific Islands, then, further afield to South and Central America and Caribbean.
Zika, like dengue and chikungunya viruses, are transmitted by mosquitos mostly active during the daytime. Rare instances of sexual transmission have been reported. Pregnant women who become infected with Zika virus can transmit the disease to their unborn babies, with potentially serious consequences.
The mosquito species (Aedes sp) that can spread Zika virus are not normally found in New Zealand however they are found in many other countries around the world. A total of 89 countries had documented evidence of locally transmitted mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus, distributed across all regions.
Symptoms can include:
Zika virus infection usually causes a mild disease (except for pregnant women). However, as Zika infection may cause a rash that could be confused with diseases such as measles or dengue, these serious diseases do need to be ruled out. Diagnosis of Zika will first and foremost be based on symptoms, travel history and exclusion of other diseases including measles, rubella, and dengue.
The incubation period is typically 3–12 days. There is no specific therapy for Zika virus infection and acute symptoms typically resolve within 4–7 days.
The Zika virus disease has increased to levels not seen since before the 2016 epidemic in Thailand, with more than 750 people infected and at least 13 babies born with birth defects in 2023. In comparison, 190 cases were reported in 2022 and 63 in 2021.
The World Health Organization has also reported a significant increase globally in dengue fever, which is also transmitted primarily by Aedes sp. mosquitos.
There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment available to prevent Zika virus infection or disease. The majority of zika viruses cases are acquired via mosquito bites, although sexual transmission of zika virus infection can occur. The overall risk of sexual transmission of Zika virus is considered to be low. Complications from Zika virus infection are uncommon. However, pregnant women who become infected with zika virus can transmit the disease to their unborn babies, with potentially serious consequences.
There is scientific consensus that Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly and other severe foetal brain abnormalities as well as Guillain-Barré syndrome. It is especially important that pregnant women take all steps to minimise risk of mosquito bites in countries with Zika virus. If travelling to Thailand or Zika-affected areas, women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant should consult with their health care provider.
All travellers should take all precautions to avoid mosquito bites. See our advice on Mosquito-borne illness prevention.
Women who have travelled to an affected country without their partner should use appropriate contraception for eight weeks to avoid pregnancy. However, if the partner has also travelled to an affected country, then see advice on sexual transmission of Zika virus.
If you have symptoms, use paracetamol for pain and fever if needed. Until dengue can be ruled out do not take aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, given the risk of bleeding.
Note: Avoiding mosquito bites will help prevent infection with a number of viruses that can cause serious illness. In addition to Zika virus disease, mosquitos are the prime vector for infection with, and transmission of chikungunya, dengue, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile virus, and yellow fever.
You should consult with their healthcare provider and discuss travel plans, reasons for travel, steps to prevent, and potential risks for you.
