Healthcare access and travel safety

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against all travel to Afghanistan. Medical facilities are extremely limited, healthcare personnel may be unavailable, and shortages of medicines are serious. Public ambulance coverage is limited; Kabul's ambulance number is 102, while other provinces have separate arrangements. Travelers should not assume that emergency transport, specialist treatment or medical evacuation will be readily available. Insurance coverage should be checked carefully, including exclusions associated with travel against government advice. The World Health Organization also reports major disruptions to healthcare services, particularly affecting women, children and remote communities. Sources: UK Foreign Office health advice and WHO Afghanistan Health Emergency Appeal 2026.

Polio: vaccination and departure documentation

Afghanistan remains affected by wild poliovirus type 1. All travelers should have completed their routine polio vaccination series. Additional inactivated polio vaccination may be recommended for particular groups, including certain long-stay travelers, people with weakened immune systems and those working in settings with very poor sanitation or possible exposure to infected patients. Recommendations depend on previous doses, timing and individual circumstances.

Travelers staying in Afghanistan for four weeks or longer should be prepared for a possible requirement to show an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis documenting polio vaccination received between four weeks and 12 months before departure. Travelers without appropriate documentation may be vaccinated on departure. This is particularly important for people who should not receive live oral polio vaccine, including certain immunocompromised travelers. Arrange vaccination and documentation before travel rather than relying on vaccination at the border. Sources: UK TravelHealthPro polio guidance and certificate requirements and WHO polio emergency committee statement, August 2026.

Routine vaccinations, measles and tetanus

Ensure routine immunizations are current, including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and other age-appropriate vaccines. Seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccination should also follow current recommendations applicable to the traveler. Measles is a particular concern because of ongoing transmission and gaps in population vaccination coverage. Infants traveling internationally may need an earlier measles vaccination than their usual national schedule; doses administered before the first birthday generally do not replace the subsequent routine series. Tetanus protection is especially relevant where injuries may occur and prompt medical care is uncertain. UK guidance recommends considering a tetanus-containing booster when medical facilities may be limited and the last dose was more than 10 years ago. Sources: US CDC Afghanistan traveler guidance and UK TravelHealthPro vaccination guidance.

Hepatitis A and typhoid

Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for previously unvaccinated travelers. The virus spreads through contaminated food, water and close contact. CDC guidance also recommends hepatitis A vaccination for infants aged 6–11 months traveling to Afghanistan, with subsequent routine vaccination still required. Travelers with certain medical conditions, older unvaccinated adults and those departing at short notice may need additional assessment. Typhoid vaccination is recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with local families, visiting areas with poor sanitation, making repeated visits or remaining for extended periods. Neither vaccine replaces careful food and water precautions. Sources: US CDC vaccine recommendations and UK TravelHealthPro hepatitis A and typhoid guidance.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B spreads through infected blood and bodily fluids, including sexual exposure and procedures involving contaminated medical equipment. The CDC recommends vaccination for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 and advises that unvaccinated travelers aged 60 or older may also receive it. UK guidance recommends particular consideration for longer stays, healthcare or humanitarian work, possible medical or dental treatment, sexual exposure and other activities involving contact with blood. Avoid nonessential procedures where sterile equipment cannot be assured. Sources: US CDC Afghanistan guidance and UK TravelHealthPro hepatitis B guidance.

Rabies

Rabies is a risk in Afghanistan, including from infected domestic animals. Avoid contact with dogs, cats, wildlife and bats. Pre-exposure vaccination is particularly relevant to animal-related work, remote travel, prolonged stays, children and travelers who may have difficulty obtaining prompt treatment. Following any potentially infectious bite, scratch or saliva exposure to broken skin or mucous membranes, immediately wash the affected area thoroughly and seek urgent medical assessment, even if previously vaccinated. Pre-exposure vaccination does not eliminate the need for medical care after exposure. Limited access to rabies post-exposure treatment makes advance planning especially important. Source: UK TravelHealthPro rabies guidance.

Cholera, dengue and tuberculosis vaccination

Cholera vaccination is not routinely necessary for every visitor. It may be considered for eligible travelers entering areas of active transmission, particularly humanitarian workers and people with limited access to safe water or medical care. Dengue vaccination is not a routine recommendation for all travelers; UK guidance generally considers it for eligible people with previous dengue infection and relevant exposure, with exceptional circumstances requiring specialist assessment. Tuberculosis BCG vaccination may be appropriate for certain unvaccinated children planning to live in Afghanistan for more than three months and for selected occupational groups. Eligibility, previous vaccination, testing requirements and contraindications need individual review. Sources: US CDC cholera guidance and UK TravelHealthPro selective vaccination guidance.

Yellow fever certificate requirements

UK TravelHealthPro reports no yellow fever vaccination certificate requirement for Afghanistan under the International Health Regulations. Yellow fever vaccination is not recommended on the basis of exposure within Afghanistan. Travelers visiting other countries on the same journey should separately check the requirements of those destinations and any applicable transit conditions. Source: UK TravelHealthPro certificate requirements.

Malaria

Malaria risk depends strongly on elevation and season. The CDC identifies transmission in areas below 2,500 meters (approximately 8,200 feet) from April through December and recommends preventive antimalarial medication for travelers visiting affected areas. UK TravelHealthPro uses a different assessment: it identifies low risk below 2,000 meters from May through November and very low risk during the remainder of the year, generally emphasizing mosquito avoidance while considering preventive medication for selected higher-risk travelers. These differences are important when planning an itinerary; the recommendations should not be treated as interchangeable. A travel-health professional should assess the precise destinations, dates, accommodation and individual risk factors.

Use effective insect repellent, protective clothing and screened or otherwise mosquito-protected sleeping accommodation, particularly from dusk to dawn. Seek urgent medical assessment for fever during travel or after returning from a malaria-risk area, and mention the travel history. Malaria can develop after leaving the country, and preventive medication does not eliminate all risk. Sources: US CDC malaria recommendations and UK TravelHealthPro malaria risk assessment.

Dengue and other insect-borne infections

Dengue occurs in Afghanistan and is transmitted by mosquitoes that commonly bite during daylight hours, including in urban environments. Prevent bites throughout the day as well as overnight. Other regional insect- and tick-borne hazards include leishmaniasis, West Nile virus and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Exposure varies with location and activity, and their presence does not mean every traveler faces the same risk. For rural or agricultural visits, avoid ticks, contact with animal blood and unnecessary handling of livestock or carcasses. Seek prompt medical care for significant fever or unexplained bleeding after relevant exposure. Sources: UK TravelHealthPro insect-borne disease guidance and WHO Afghanistan health assessment.

Diarrheal illness and unsafe water

Contaminated food and water can transmit acute diarrheal infections, including cholera, as well as hepatitis A and typhoid. Drink water from a reliably safe source, avoid ice of uncertain origin, choose thoroughly cooked food served hot, and wash hands with soap and safe water. Take particular care where sanitation has been disrupted by flooding, displacement or damaged infrastructure. Severe watery diarrhea can cause dangerous dehydration. Seek urgent care for inability to drink, marked weakness, confusion or signs of significant dehydration. Sources: US CDC Afghanistan health guidance and UK Foreign Office health advice.

Tuberculosis and respiratory infections

Tuberculosis is a relevant consideration for people spending extended periods in close contact with affected communities, particularly in healthcare, residential or humanitarian settings. Risk is not equivalent for short visits and prolonged occupational exposure. Travelers anticipating substantial exposure should discuss appropriate screening and preventive measures before departure. Keep routine respiratory vaccinations current, practice respiratory hygiene and seek medical assessment for persistent cough, fever, unexplained weight loss or other concerning symptoms. Sources: UK TravelHealthPro tuberculosis and respiratory guidance and UK Foreign Office Afghanistan health advice.

High altitude, weather and environmental exposure

Mountain travel can involve elevations where altitude illness develops, particularly above 2,500 meters. Risk depends on ascent rate, sleeping altitude and individual susceptibility rather than physical fitness alone. Plan gradual acclimatization, avoid further ascent when symptoms appear and descend promptly if serious symptoms develop. Remote mountain areas may also present cold exposure, difficult evacuation and limited healthcare access. Elsewhere, heat, dehydration, dust and poor sanitation may be important considerations. Sources: UK TravelHealthPro altitude guidance and UK Foreign Office health advice.

Continued wild poliovirus transmission

WHO's August 2026 emergency committee statement confirmed continuing wild poliovirus type 1 transmission in Afghanistan, with cases reported from the country's southern and eastern regions. The statement reported three Afghanistan cases with onset in 2026 at the time of its assessment, alongside positive environmental surveillance samples. WHO remained concerned about transmission along Afghanistan–Pakistan epidemiological corridors. This reinforces the importance of completing polio vaccination and checking departure documentation requirements. Source: WHO polio emergency committee statement, 25 August 2026.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever: increased reports in June 2026

UK TravelHealthPro recorded WHO surveillance reporting 483 suspected Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever cases and 21 deaths during June 2026, compared with 176 suspected cases and nine deaths in May. This was a substantial increase during that reporting period, although the figures do not establish that the same increase continued into October. People handling livestock, animal tissues or potentially infected blood should take particular precautions. Avoid tick bites and direct contact with animal blood or bodily fluids. Source: UK TravelHealthPro Afghanistan outbreak surveillance, 22 July 2026.

Continuing humanitarian health pressures

WHO's 2026 Afghanistan emergency appeal describes continuing pressures from displacement, natural disasters, inadequate sanitation, communicable diseases and reduced healthcare capacity. Its assessment recorded substantial measles, acute watery diarrhea, dengue and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever burdens during 2025. These historical figures provide context for ongoing vulnerability, not evidence of new October 2026 outbreaks. The continuing disruption of essential health services is itself an important consideration for travelers who may need urgent treatment. Source: WHO Health Emergency Appeal 2026: Afghanistan.