Taiwan
Good quality care is available in the capital - Taipei. Avoid treatment elsewhere as the standards of care and hygiene cannot be guaranteed
Supplies of international medications are generally available from both the hospitals and private pharmacies in Taiwan
Blood supplies are considered safe and screened to international standards
Health facilities in Taiwan are fully adequate for routine medical treatment.
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.
Drink only bottled beverages (including water) or beverages made with boiled water. Do not use ice cubes or eat raw seafood, rare meat or dairy products. Eat well-cooked foods while they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without contamination. Avoid roadside stands and street vendors.
Swim only in well-maintained, chlorinated pools or ocean water known to be free from pollution. Wear clothing which reduces exposed skin and apply repellents containing DEET to remaining areas. Sleep in well-screened accommodations. Carry anti-diarrheal medication. Reduce problems related to sun exposure by using sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen lotions and lip protection.
AIDS occurs. Blood supply may not be adequately screened and/or single-use, disposable needles and syringes may be unavailable. When possible, travelers should defer medical treatment until reaching a facility where safety can be assured.
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 April 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). Risk is highest in June, and cases have historically been reported in and around Taipei.
Polio: A one-time booster dose is recommended for travelers who have previously completed a standard course of polio immunization. Refer to CDC guidelines for vaccinating unimmunized or incompletely immunized persons. Pregnancy is a relative contraindication to vaccination; however, if protection is needed, either IPV or OPV may be used, depending on preference and time available.
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
Dengue hemorrhagic fever - occurs
Encephalitis (Japanese type) - occurs (sporadic cases reported; low incidence may result from high immunization rates in native population)
Filariasis (Bancroftian type) - occurs
Filariasis (Malayan type) - occurs
Hemorrhagic fever (with renal syndrome) - occurs
Leishmaniasis (visceral) - occurs
Food-borne and water-borne illness: diseases such as the diarrheal diseases and hepatitis are common.
Brucellosis - occurs
Clonorchiasis (oriental liver fluke) - occurs
Fasciolopsiasis (giant intestinal fluke) - occurs
Leptospirosis - occurs
Paragonimiasis (oriental lung fluke) - occurs
Other hazards:
Diseases such as measles and diphtheria are commonly reported. Polio is still considered a possible risk, although cases have rarely been reported in recent years.
Influenza risk extends from November to April.
AIDS: According to the Department of State, testing is required for applicants for residency and work permits, as well as for anyone staying longer than 90 days. Foreign test results are accepted under certain conditions. Contact Taiwan's embassy for details.
Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers coming from infected areas.
