Daytime bites matter
The mosquitoes that spread dengue are active mainly during the day and occur in towns and cities as well as surrounding areas.
Travel Information · Health
Dengue in Cambodia: What Travellers Should Know
Practical prevention and vaccination information, based on current UK and international public-health guidance.
The essentials
Dengue is present in Cambodia. Prevent mosquito bites and know the warning signs.
Repellent and clothing
Use an effective insect repellent, cover exposed skin where practical and choose screened or air-conditioned accommodation when possible.
Get medical advice
Fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, body aches, nausea or rash can occur. Seek medical advice and mention your travel history.
Risk and timing
Do not treat any season as risk-free.
UK travel-health guidance identifies a risk of dengue in Cambodia. Cases may rise during wetter periods, but dengue can occur throughout the year and local outbreaks do not follow a traveller's timetable.
Check the latest Cambodia health advice before departure. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises travellers to review Cambodia-specific vaccine and health risks with a travel-health professional, ideally at least eight weeks before travel.
Before you go
- Read the current FCDO and TravelHealthPro Cambodia pages.
- Pack repellent before leaving home.
- Check that travel insurance covers treatment and, if necessary, evacuation.
- Ask a qualified clinician about vaccination early enough to complete any advised course.
Mosquito protection
Small habits reduce bites.
Use repellent
WHO lists products containing DEET, picaridin or IR3535 among effective options. Follow the product's age, application and reapplication instructions.
Cover up
Wear loose, long-sleeved clothing and trousers where practical, especially when mosquitoes are active.
Choose your room
Use window and door screens, air conditioning or mosquito nets where needed. Remove standing water around accommodation if you can do so safely.
Keep protecting
Dengue mosquitoes bite mainly by day, so prevention is not just for evenings.
Dengue vaccination
Qdenga is not a simple yes-or-no travel recommendation.
Current UK traveller guidance
Qdenga (TAK-003) is a live attenuated vaccine licensed in the UK from age four. TravelHealthPro says it may be considered for people aged four and over who have previously had dengue and will visit a risk area, during an outbreak, or have occupational risk.
For a traveller without known previous dengue infection, TravelHealthPro says vaccination may be considered only exceptionally, after further expert advice and an individual risk assessment. The final decision belongs with the traveller and a qualified health professional.
Important restrictions exist
TravelHealthPro lists contraindications including pregnancy, breastfeeding, significant immune suppression, age under four, and serious hypersensitivity to a vaccine component. A clinician must also consider timing, medical history and whether the course can be completed.
This summary is not a personal vaccination recommendation.
If you become unwell
Seek help for possible dengue — urgently for warning signs.
Dengue symptoms can include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands or a rash. Symptoms commonly begin several days after infection and can resemble other illnesses.
Get medical advice if you develop possible symptoms during or after travel, and tell the clinician where and when you travelled.
Urgent warning signs
Seek urgent medical care for severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding, rapid breathing, extreme tiredness or restlessness, pale or cold skin, or a sudden worsening as fever falls.
Insurance
Check treatment and evacuation cover.
FCDO guidance says medical facilities in Cambodia can be limited outside Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and that serious cases may require evacuation. Declare relevant medical conditions and check your policy's treatment, hospital and evacuation terms before travel.