Korea, South
Good quality dental care is available in South Korea
Some international medication is available from the larger pharmacies and hospitals in the larger towns and cities.
Blood supplies are considered safe and screened to international standards, although there is generally a shortage of supplies
Health care facilities in the Republic of Korea are good.
Recent medical and dental exams should ensure that the traveler is in good health. Carry appropriate health and accident insurance documents and copies of any important medical records. Bring an adequate supply of all prescription and other medications as well as any necessary personal hygiene items, including a spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses if necessary.
Take personal protective measures against insects. Drink only bottled beverages (including water) or beverages made with boiled water. Do not use ice cubes or eat raw seafood or rare meat. Eat well-cooked foods while they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without contamination. Avoid roadside stands and street vendors. Only pasteurized dairy products should be consumed.
The blood type of the general Asian populace is Rh positive; Rh negative blood may be difficult to obtain.
Hepatitis A: Consider active immunization with hepatitis A vaccine or passive immunization with immune globulin (IG) for all susceptible travelers. Especially consider choosing active immunization for persons planning to reside for a long period or for persons who take frequent short-term trips to risk areas. The importance of protection against hepatitis A increases as length of stay increases. It is particularly important for persons who will be living in or visiting rural areas, eating or drinking in settings of poor or uncertain sanitation, or who will have close contact with local persons (especially young children) in settings with poor sanitary conditions.
Hepatitis B: Vaccination is advised for health care workers, persons anticipating direct contact with blood from or sexual contact with inhabitants, and persons planning extended stays of 6 months or greater (especially those who anticipate using local health care facilities, staying in rural areas, or having intimate contact with the local population).
Japanese Encephalitis: Consider vaccination if staying a month or more from July to October, especially if travel includes rural areas. Also consider if staying less than 30 days during that period and at high risk (in case of epidemic outbreak or extensive outdoor exposure in rural areas).
Typhoid: Vaccination should be considered for persons staying longer than 3 weeks, adventurous eaters, and those who will venture off the usual tourist routes into small cities, villages and rural areas. Importance of vaccination increases as access to reasonable medical care becomes limited. Contraindications depend on vaccine type.
Note: All routine vaccines (such as DTP or Td, Hib, MMR, polio, varicella, influenza and pneumococcal) should be kept up-to-date as a matter of good health practice unrelated to travel.
Insect-borne illness:
Dengue fever - occurs
Encephalitis (Japanese type) - occurs (sporadic/endemic; major outbreaks not reported since 1982-1983)
Encephalitis (tick-borne) - occurs
Hemorrhagic fever (with renal syndrome) - occurs
Filariasis (Malayan type) - occurs
Typhus (mite-borne) - occurs
Food-borne and water-borne illness: diseases such as the diarrheal diseases and viral hepatitis are common.
Clonorchiasis (oriental liver fluke) - occurs
Paragonimiasis (oriental lung fluke) - occurs
Other hazards:
Diseases such as measles and diphtheria are commonly reported.
Influenza risk extends from November to April.
Rabies - reportedly rabies-free (although this status is considered provisional)
AIDS: According to the Department of State, testing is required for foreigners working as entertainers staying over 90 days and foreign athletes who are members of Korean teams. Foreign test results are accepted under certain conditions. Contact South Korea's embassy for details.
