On this page, you'll find advice about some of the 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. A large number of cases have been reported in China's Guangdong province since July 2025.
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 is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people. It is more common in tropical and subtropical climates.
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 are at an increased risk of developing severe dengue if they contract the virus again.
Dengue is a viral illness spread by infected mosquitoes.
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.
Dengue fever is most common in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas of Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Pacific Islands, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Africa.
To avoid dengue while travelling in tropical and subtropical regions, including the pacific, you should take extra precautions to prevent mosquito bites and know how you can protect yourself and your family from dengue. See our advice on Mosquito-borne illness prevention.
Ebola is a rare but serious illness spread through direct contact with infected body fluids. The risk to most travellers is very low, but early medical care is essential if symptoms develop after possible exposure.
Ebola virus disease is a rare but serious illness caused by a group of viruses known as Ebola viruses, including several species such as Zaire, Sudan, Bundibugyo, and Taï Forest viruses, which have caused outbreaks in humans.
Ebola can cause severe illness and may be fatal, particularly without early medical care. Ebola is classified as a viral haemorrhagic fever.
Ebola viruses are thought to originate from animals (especially fruit bats) and can spread from animals to people, and between people during outbreaks.
Although Ebola causes severe illness, it is not easily transmitted. Ebola is not spread through the air and does not spread through casual contact, such as sitting near someone.
You can become infected through direct contact with the body fluids of a person who is sick with Ebola or has died from it. This includes blood, vomit, diarrhoea, saliva, or other fluids.
You can also become infected by:
People can only spread Ebola once they develop symptoms.
Symptoms usually develop 2–21 days after exposure.
Early symptoms can include:
As the illness progresses, symptoms may include:
These symptoms can be similar to other illnesses, but early medical care is critical if there has been possible exposure.
There have been occasional outbreaks in Africa for decades. Even after an outbreak ends, there can still be new people who get Ebola for an unknown period of time.
See our advice for Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The risk to the general public and most travellers is very low. Vaccines are currently only available for the Zaire variant of Ebola.
You can reduce your risk by:
Follow local public health advice when travelling in affected areas.
There is no simple home treatment for Ebola, but early medical care can save lives.
If you are concerned:
Monitor your health for up to 21 days after possible exposure.
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.
Marburg virus disease is a rare but severe hemorrhagic fever that can cause serious illness and death.
The virus is transmitted from fruit bats to humans. Human-to-human transmission is possible through contact with body fluids (such as blood, saliva, urine, vomit, or faeces) of an infected person and contaminated surfaces or materials (such as bedding and clothing).
MVD symptoms can be very similar initially to other infectious diseases such as malaria or typhoid fever. The disease initially presents between 2 and 21 days after infection with a sudden onset of fever, muscle ache, and headache, often followed by sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, and a maculopapular rash which looks like red bumps on a flat, red patch of skin (around day 5). In severe and fatal forms, bleeding from damaged blood vessels (internal and external) is often accompanied by multi-organ failure.
Based on available data, the overall risk of importation of the Marburg virus disease has been assessed as low.
The Governments of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and the United Republic of Tanzania declared their first outbreaks of Marburg virus disease (MVD), on 13 February 2023 and 21 March 2023, respectively.
Travellers to the affected areas, should practice strict standards of hygiene. To minimise the risk of infection they should:
Currently, there are no available vaccines or therapeutics. Early supportive treatment significantly improves survival and recovery from MVD.
People with recent travel history to or transit through Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania within the past 21 days who experience symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, sore throat, diarrhoea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain or unexplained bleeding or bruising should phone ahead before going to a health facility if outside New Zealand.
If in New Zealand, call Healthline on 0800 611 116 or call your local health provider for advice.
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.
Mpox is most common in the tropical rainforest regions of Central and West Africa.
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.
Nipah virus (pronounced is a rare but serious disease carried by fruit bats, pigs and occasionally other animals. Nipah is a serious, and sometimes deadly, viral disease with a 40%–75% mortality rate.
People can be infected with Nipah from:
People with the Nipah virus usually start getting sick 4-14 days after they are infected, and are typically sick for 3 to 14 days with fever, headache, cough, vomiting, muscle pain, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. Later in the infection, some people may experience brain swelling, or encephalitis, where severe symptoms can include confusion, drowsiness, and seizures. People with these symptoms can fall into a coma within 24-48 hours.
Nipah outbreaks occur nearly every year in parts of Asia, often in Bangladesh and India, such as the outbreak in West Bengal, India in January 2026.
Currently there are no licensed treatments for Nipah. Treatment is limited to supportive care, including rest, hydration, and treatment of other symptoms.
Caregivers and healthcare providers caring for a patient with Nipah are at a higher risk of becoming infected.
If you travel to or live in an area where Nipah virus outbreaks have occurred, you should:
If you're pregnant or planning pregnancy, talk with your doctor about any additional health risks before travelling.
If you're bitten, scratched or licked on an open wound by an animal:
If you have been to an area known to have an outbreak of Nipah virus and you are unwell, seek immediate medical advice and tell the doctors about your travel.
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 Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Haiti, Panama, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela; most cases were reported near the Amazon rainforest area.
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 is a serious disease caused by a virus that is spread by infected mosquitoes. The virus is a related to other mosquito-borne viruses such as dengue and Zika. It is common in tropical areas of Africa (34 countries) and Latin America (13 countries). Vaccination is the best protection against the disease. Within 30 days of vaccination, about 99% of people develop protection against yellow fever.
The disease is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes. These mosquitoes usually bite during the day. Yellow fever can cause a serious illness with bleeding, liver disease and death.
Symptoms usually appear 3 to 6 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito. Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and body ache, tiredness and nausea and vomiting. Symptoms usually start to improve after about 3 to 4 days, with gradual recovery.
More severe symptoms and signs include very high fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), bleeding, liver and/or kidney failure and death. Some people have no symptoms. About 15% of people infected with yellow fever develop a more severe form of the illness, and of those, up to half may die.
There is no specific cure for yellow fever. However, medical care can improve a person’s chance of survival.
Travellers can help reduce the risk of spreading yellow fever by ensuring they are vaccinated before travelling to areas where the disease occurs.
Yellow fever remains a public health risk in parts of Africa where the virus is naturally present and where outbreaks have occurred in the past. Countries considered at risk include Angola, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, and Nigeria.
Outbreaks can occur when mosquito populations are high, vaccination rates low, and large number of people are vulnerable to infection.
The disease is also commonly found in parts of South America, including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Recent outbreaks have included cases in areas that were not previously considered high risk and in places where yellow fever had not been reported for many years.
Cases linked to international travel have also occurred, highlighting the ongoing risk of the disease spreading between countries. Vaccination remains the best protection for people living in or travelling to areas where yellow fever occurs.
The mosquitoes that can spread this virus are not found in New Zealand. New Zealand is free from yellow fever virus.
Yellow fever can be prevented with vaccination. A single dose of yellow fever vaccine gives life-long protection for most people.
The World Health Organization (WHO) advises yellow fever vaccination for all travellers aged 9 months and older who are visiting countries with areas where there is a risk of infection.
Some countries also require proof of yellow fever vaccination as part of visitor entry requirements.
If you are planning to travel to countries in Africa or South America where yellow fever occurs, you should discuss vaccination with a healthcare professional well before your trip.
In New Zealand, yellow fever vaccination is only available through authorised yellow fever vaccination centres (refer link below to list of authorised centres).
Travellers should also protect themselves from mosquito bites by:
For more information, see Health New Zealand’s advice on mosquito-borne illness prevention.
If you feel unwell during your trip or within three weeks of returning home, seek medical advice as soon as possible and tell the healthcare provider where you have travelled.
Zika virus is a disease spread mainly by infected mosquitoes. The virus is related to other mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and yellow fever.
Zika virus occurs in parts of the Pacific, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
The mosquitoes that can spread Zika virus are not normally found in New Zealand. New Zealand does not have local Zika virus transmission.
Zika virus is spread mainly through the bite of an infected mosquito. These mosquitoes usually bite during the day.
The virus can also spread during pregnancy to the unborn baby, potentially causing congenital Zika syndrome which includes microcephaly (small head) and brain, eye, and developmental problems.
It can sometimes spread through sex. Men can pass Zika on to others through sex or sexual contact up to 3 months after being infected. Women can pass Zika on to others via sexual contact or to their unborn baby up to 2 months after being infected.
Many people with Zika virus do not develop symptoms.
If symptoms occur, they are usually mild and may include:
Most people recover within a week without needing special treatment.
There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for Zika virus infection.
Zika virus continues to occur in many countries around the world. Travellers may be at risk of Zika virus in some countries across the Pacific, Asia, Africa and the Americas. A total of 89 countries had documented evidence of locally transmitted Zika virus.
Travellers should be aware that Zika virus can occur in many popular holiday destinations and may occur alongside other mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue and chikungunya.
The best way to protect yourself is to avoid mosquito bites. There is currently no vaccine to prevent Zika virus infection. Travellers should:
See our advice on Mosquito-borne illness prevention.
Pregnant women should take extra care to avoid mosquito bites when travelling to countries where Zika virus occurs. Zika virus infection during pregnancy can harm an unborn baby.
If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or trying to become pregnant, talk to a healthcare professional before travelling to a destination where Zika virus occurs.
Because Zika virus can sometimes spread through sex, travellers returning from countries where Zika virus occurs should speak with a healthcare professional if they are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or have concerns about possible exposure.
If you feel unwell during your trip or after returning home, seek medical advice and tell the healthcare provider where you have travelled.
If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or have concerns about possible exposure to Zika virus, speak with a healthcare professional.
