Cambodia Travel Health and Vaccinations
Hep A, Typhoid, Rabies/JE for rural travel, malaria assessment.
Pre-travel vaccines, malaria and Japanese Encephalitis advice for Angkor Wat and rural travel
Cambodia sees steady UK travel — Angkor Wat and the Siem Reap temples, Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville coast and increasingly the islands and Kep coast. The travel-health profile is involved: focal malaria risk, Japanese Encephalitis in rural areas, food and water exposure, and tropical heat year-round.
At Gunwharf Travel Clinic we run Cambodia pre-travel appointments year-round, peaking November through February when dry-season tourism is highest. A typical appointment is 30 minutes.
Abdullah Seyed (MPharm, GPhC reg. 2211356) leads day-to-day clinical practice. Merali Pharmacy, operating Gunwharf Travel Clinic, is GPhC-registered (premises 1099145).
For Cambodia you'll typically consider: Hepatitis A and Typhoid, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster, Hepatitis B for longer stays, Rabies for rural travel, Japanese Encephalitis for extended rural stays in transmission season, and malaria tablets if going to the northern and western provinces.
Lead pharmacist at Merali Pharmacy, operating Gunwharf Travel Clinic on Queen Street, Portsea. GPhC-registered (reg. 2211356), travel-medicine trained, working under UK regulatory standards.
Cambodia has focal malaria and an important Japanese Encephalitis consideration
Unlike some Southeast Asia destinations, Cambodia's malaria risk is regionally concentrated rather than country-wide — mostly the northern and western forested provinces. The Japanese Encephalitis story is more involved.
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, routine boosters
Hepatitis A and Typhoid are essentially universal recommendations — food and water exposure throughout Cambodia is real. Up-to-date Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster. Hepatitis B for longer stays.
Malaria — focal, not country-wide
Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and most major tourist routes including Angkor Wat are essentially malaria-free. Risk is in the rural northern and western forested provinces — Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, Pailin border with Thailand, and parts of the cardamoms. We map your specific itinerary. If you're at risk, we typically recommend Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) — multi-drug resistance complicates the choice and we'll talk through current options. Bite prevention matters more in Cambodia than in many destinations because dengue is also widespread.
Dengue — the underestimated mosquito risk
Dengue is widespread across Cambodia year-round, peaking in the wet season May–November. No vaccine is currently available in the UK for travellers without previous dengue infection. Prevention is bite-avoidance: DEET-based repellent, long clothing, avoiding daytime exposure (the dengue mosquito bites in the day, unlike malaria). We cover this in detail.
Japanese Encephalitis — specific consideration
Japanese Encephalitis is transmitted by mosquitoes in rural rice-growing areas of Cambodia, with year-round transmission and seasonal peaks. Vaccination is worth considering for travellers spending extended time in rural areas (more than a few weeks), particularly during wet season. Two-dose course over 28 days. Low overall risk for typical short-trip tourists but high case-fatality if you catch it.
Rabies pre-exposure
Stray dog populations in Cambodia have high rabies prevalence. Rabies pre-exposure (3 doses over 21–28 days) recommended for travellers in rural areas, volunteers with animal contact, or anyone planning to be more than a day's travel from a major medical facility.
Angkor Wat — the city travel-health picture
For travellers doing the standard Angkor Wat circuit out of Siem Reap, the travel-health picture is moderate: Hep A + Typhoid, routine boosters, dengue bite-prevention, food and water care, and heat illness in the hot/wet season. Malaria, JE and Rabies pre-exposure can usually be skipped for a one-week temple visit.
Practical considerations
Tap water isn't safe across Cambodia — use bottled or filtered. Tropical heat year-round means hydration matters. Pickpocketing is the most common tourist crime in Phnom Penh; standard precautions apply. We cover all of this at your appointment.
Booking your Cambodia appointment
Book online at gunwharftravelclinic.co.uk/booking or call 02392 821859. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
Everything you need in one appointment
Hep A + Typhoid, malaria assessment, JE/Rabies if rural travel.
Itinerary review
Angkor-only versus rural Cambodia have different vaccine and malaria considerations. We map your trip.
Hep A + Typhoid + Td/IPV
Standard Southeast Asia bundle. Combined visit in 30 minutes.
Malaria advice (regional)
Focal malaria risk in northern/western forested provinces. Tablets prescribed and dispensed if needed.
Japanese Encephalitis
Worth considering for travellers spending extended time in rural rice-growing areas in transmission season.
Rabies for rural travel
3-dose pre-exposure course recommended for travellers in rural areas or volunteers with animal contact.
Written travel summary
Personalised summary covering vaccines, malaria, food and water, dengue prevention and heat.
30-minute appointment for Cambodia pre-travel review.
Three steps from booking to Cambodia-ready.
Book your appointment
Pick a slot at gunwharftravelclinic.co.uk/booking. Tell us your route — Angkor-only, rural provinces, coast.
Pre-Cambodia visit
24 Queen St, Portsea. Vaccines given. Malaria tablets dispensed if needed. Dengue prevention covered.
Travel summary
Walk out with personalised written summary covering vaccines, malaria, dengue prevention, food and water, and what to do if you fall ill.
Thirty minutes from arrival to vaccinated.
What actually happens when you walk through the door at 24 Queen Street.
Best pharmacy in Portsmouth. Nothing ever too much trouble. Always pleasant, helpful, understanding and so friendly.
Every vaccine you need. One appointment.
The vaccines UK clinics actually stock...
Real advice. Real travellers.
"Best pharmacy in Portsmouth..."
"Excellent pharmacy..."
"I find the staff polite..."
On Queen Street, Portsea. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
24 Queen Street, Portsea,
Portsmouth PO1 3HN
In the city · Walk or short drive
We're on Queen Street in Portsea, two minutes from Gunwharf Quays.
Common Cambodia travel vaccine questions
Do I need malaria tablets for Cambodia?
Depends on your itinerary. Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and the Angkor temples are essentially malaria-free. Tablets are recommended for travellers visiting the northern and western forested provinces — Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, the Pailin area. We map your route and prescribe if appropriate.
What vaccines do I need?
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, an up-to-date Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster. Hepatitis B for longer stays. Rabies for rural travel. Japanese Encephalitis for extended rural stays in transmission season.
What about dengue?
Widespread across Cambodia, peaks in wet season May–November. No suitable UK-available vaccine for short-stay travellers. Prevention is bite-avoidance — DEET, long clothing, and avoiding daytime exposure to mosquitoes.
Is Angkor Wat safe travel-health-wise?
Yes for a standard short visit out of Siem Reap. Hep A + Typhoid, routine boosters, dengue prevention, and standard food and water care. Malaria and JE usually aren't needed for a one-week temple visit.
Is the tap water safe?
No — use bottled, boiled or filtered water throughout. Avoid ice and salads outside reputable establishments. Stick to hot cooked food.
How early should I book?
2–4 weeks for most Cambodia travellers. 6 weeks if you need the full Rabies pre-exposure course.
Can children travel safely?
Yes. Vaccines are licensed: Hep A from age 1, Typhoid from age 2, Rabies and JE from infancy. Malaria tablets are weight-based. We see family bookings for Cambodia regularly.
Where do I get my Cambodia vaccines in Portsmouth?
Gunwharf Travel Clinic, 24 Queen Street, Portsea, Portsmouth PO1 3HN. Same-day appointments most weeks. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
From Portsmouth to 24 Queen Street
We're on Queen Street in Portsea, two minutes from Gunwharf Quays.
Pharmaceutical
Council
FEVER
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Book your pre-travel vaccinations.
Same-day appointments. Malaria tablets dispensed at the visit.
- TravelHealthPro — Cambodia travel health (accessed 2026-05-20)
- FCDO Travel Advice — Cambodia (accessed 2026-05-20)
- UK Health Security Agency — Green Book — Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies chapters (accessed 2026-05-20)
- GPhC — Register entry — Abdullah Seyed (2211356) at Merali Pharmacy (accessed 2026-05-20)
Information on this page is general guidance from Gunwharf Travel Clinic, operated by Merali Pharmacy (GPhC premises 1099145). Malaria risk maps update — we check current TravelHealthPro guidance at each appointment.
