Like any country in Southeast Asia, Cambodia comes with specific health risks that are important to understand in order to stay safe and enjoy your time here.
This guide gives you a practical and medical overview to help you navigate daily life or travel in Cambodia with confidence.
1. Mosquito-borne diseases
Mosquitoes are responsible for most infectious health risks in Cambodia. Dengue fever is very common.
| Feature | Dengue | Malaria | Chikungunya | Zika |
|---|
| Current status in Cambodia | Endemic with seasonal outbreaks (rainy season). | Cases have sharply declined; elimination targeted by 2025 but persists in forested/remote areas. | Sporadic outbreaks, most recently in the 2010s and 2020s. | Sporadic, low-level detection with no major outbreaks. |
| Causative agent | Dengue virus (DENV 1–4). | Plasmodium spp. (P. falciparum, P. vivax). | Chikungunya virus. | Zika virus. |
| Main vectors | Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. | Anopheles mosquitoes, especially in forested regions. | Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. | Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. |
| Common symptoms | High fever, severe body pain, rash; risk of severe dengue. | Fever, chills, headache, fatigue, anemia. | High fever, severe joint pain, rash, fatigue. | Mild fever, rash, conjunctivitis, joint pain; often asymptomatic. |
| High-risk areas | Nationwide during rainy season; higher in densely populated provinces. | Northeast and forested areas (Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri, Pursat). | Can occur nationwide; higher where Aedes mosquitoes are common. | Sporadic cases mostly in urban areas. |
| Treatment | Supportive care. | Antimalarial drugs. | Supportive care. | Supportive care. |
| Prevention | Mosquito control, eliminating breeding sites, personal protection; dengue vaccine (Qdenga) available at Intercare | Bed nets, repellents, antimalarial prophylaxis for at-risk groups (available at Intercare) | Mosquito control, personal protection. | Mosquito control, personal protection; pregnancy-related precautions. |
Dengue Fever
- Very common, especially during the rainy season.
- Symptoms: high fever, intense fatigue, joint pain, headache.
Malaria
Malaria in Cambodia has declined significantly over the past decade, largely due to aggressive surveillance, widespread use of insecticide-treated nets, and improved access to rapid diagnostics and treatment. The country has eliminated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in several provinces and is aiming for full malaria elimination by 2025.
However, challenges remain in remote forested areas, where mobile and migrant populations face higher risk and drug-resistant strains have historically emerged.
Chikungunya
Chikungunya has periodically resurfaced in Cambodia, with outbreaks driven by Aedes mosquitoes in both urban and rural areas. While most cases cause fever and joint pain, control efforts focus on mosquito reduction and community awareness to limit transmission.
Zika
Zika virus has been detected sporadically in Cambodia, with low-level transmission linked to Aedes mosquitoes similar to those that spread dengue and chikungunya. Surveillance remains in place to monitor potential outbreaks, especially because infections can be asymptomatic and pose risks during pregnancy.
How to prevent it:
- Use repellent containing DEET or picaridin.
- Wear long sleeves and trousers in the evening.
- Sleep under a mosquito net in rural areas.
- Remove any standing water around your home.
2. Food-borne illnesses and digestive infections
Heat and occasional lack of food hygiene = a high risk of gastrointestinal problems.
Common issues include:
- Traveler’s diarrhea
- Salmonella
- Parasitic infections
- Food poisoning from ice, raw vegetables, or unclean water
Here is a comparative table: common travel-related illnesses in Cambodia
| Feature | Traveler’s Diarrhea | Salmonella Infection | Parasitic Infections | Food/Water-Borne Food Poisoning (ice, raw vegetables, unclean water) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cause | Usually bacterial (E. coli, Campylobacter), sometimes viral or parasitic | Salmonella bacteria | Protozoa (e.g., Giardia, Entamoeba histolytica) or helminths | Bacterial contamination, toxins, or exposure to unclean water/ice or raw produce |
| How it’s commonly contracted in Cambodia | Eating contaminated street food, unrefrigerated food, or unsafe water | Undercooked poultry, eggs, meat; contaminated produce | Contaminated water, unwashed fruits/vegetables, poor hygiene | Ice made from untreated water, raw salads, unpeeled fruits, dirty food handling |
| Main symptoms | Sudden diarrhea, cramps, nausea, fatigue | Fever, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal cramps | Persistent diarrhea, bloating, stomach pain, sometimes prolonged symptoms | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain within hours of eating |
| Onset | 1–3 days after exposure | 6–72 hours | Days to weeks after exposure | Minutes to hours depending on toxin |
| Severity | Usually mild to moderate; resolves in a few days | Mild to severe; can cause dehydration | Can become chronic if untreated | Usually short-term but can be intense |
| Treatment | Hydration, oral rehydration salts (ORS), rest; antibiotics only for severe cases | Hydration; antibiotics for confirmed moderate/severe cases | Depends on parasite: antiparasitic medication (e.g., metronidazole, albendazole) | Hydration, rest; symptoms usually self-limiting |
| Prevention in Cambodia | Eat hot, freshly cooked food; avoid unsafe water | Avoid undercooked meats/eggs; ensure proper hygiene | Drink safe water; wash/peel fruits; avoid raw salads | Avoid ice unless from purified water; avoid raw veggies; choose reputable eateries |
| Higher-risk situations | Street food stalls with poor hygiene | Street food, buffets, undercooked market foods | Rural visits, untreated water sources | Small eateries using untreated water for washing or ice |
How to prevent it:
- Drink only bottled water with an intact seal.
- Avoid ice in small restaurants.
- Avoid unpeeled fruit and raw vegetables from street stalls.
- Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer.
Doctor’s tip:
When diarrhea occurs, rehydration comes first. Antibiotics are only necessary in specific situations.
3. Heatstroke and dehydration
Cambodia can reach 40°C (104°F) with very high humidity. Dehydration is extremely common, especially among:
- children,
- new arrivals,
- anyone active outdoors.
Warning signs: headaches, dizziness, fatigue, muscle cramps.
How to prevent it:
- Drink regularly: don’t wait until you feel thirsty.
- Avoid direct sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Wear a hat and lightweight clothes.
If dehydration is too important, you can prepare an ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution):
4. Air pollution and allergies
Phnom Penh and some rural areas experience episodes of air pollution, particularly during agricultural burning.
Risks:
- Respiratory irritation
- Asthma attacks
- Allergies and conjunctivitis
How to prevent it:
- Monitor the AQI (Air Quality Index) through AirVisual (free application).
- Wear a protective mask (FFP2/N95) on high-pollution days.
- Use an air purifier at home, especially if you have children.
5. Rabies: a real concern
Cambodia has one of the highest rabies rates in Asia. Stray dogs are common, and cats or monkeys can also transmit the disease.
How to prevent it:
- Avoid touching stray animals (dogs, monkeys, bats, …).
- Pre-exposure vaccination (available at Intercare) is recommended for:
– expatriates,
– children (40% of the victimes are children younger than 15),
– people living in rural areas.
The vaccination protocole has been updates in 2019: 3 injections day 0, day 3 and day 7.
Source: A 1-week intradermal dose-sparing regimen for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (RESIST-2): an observational cohort study, The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 26 septembre 2019.
If you get bitten:
- Wash the wound immediately with soap and water for 15 minutes.
- Seek medical care urgently for post-exposure vaccination: immunoglobulin, vaccination in emergency (as soon as possible, < 24h after the exposure)
- Never ignore even a small bite.
6. Environmental hazards: wounds, infections, and bites
The tropical climate increases the risk of skin problems such as:
- infections
- abscesses
- infected insect bites
Prevention:
- Clean even the smallest wounds thoroughly.
- Keep your feet dry (foot infections are common).
- Wear closed shoes during hikes or jungle trips.
7. Sun exposure: burns and premature aging
The sun in Cambodia is strong, even when it’s cloudy.
How to protect yourself:
- Use SPF 50+ sunscreen and reapply every two hours.
- Wear UV-filtering sunglasses.
- Keep children out of the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Conclusion
Being aware of the main health risks allows you to:
- protect yourself and your family,
- avoid unnecessary problems,
- enjoy your life or travels here with peace of mind.
