According to the World Health Organization (WHO), China remains one of the world’s high-burden countries for tuberculosis (TB), with an estimated 650,000 new TB cases reported in 2024, though incidence continues to decline each year.¹ China was certified malaria-free by the WHO in 2021, but the Yunnan–Myanmar border region still faces a risk of imported malaria cases due to ongoing cross-border travel.²

Travel Health Precautions

Before traveling to China, ensure all routine vaccinations are up to date. Additional recommended vaccines include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, tetanus, and typhoid.³ Yellow fever vaccination is only required if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is endemic.³

China is still classified by WHO as cholera-endemic, so precautions such as drinking bottled water are advised.³

Other Infectious Diseases

• Avian Influenza (Bird Flu): Human cases continue to be reported sporadically in China, with 12 cases confirmed in 2024. There is no vaccine, and routine use of antivirals like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for travelers is not recommended.⁴
• SARS: No new cases have been reported since the original outbreak in 2003, but China remains vigilant for emerging respiratory diseases.⁵
• Dengue Fever: Dengue is present, especially in southern and urban areas, and there is no vaccine. Mosquito bite prevention is the best protection.³

Mosquito-Borne Illnesses

To reduce the risk of malaria and dengue fever, use insect repellent, sleep under mosquito nets, and consider malaria prophylaxis if traveling to border regions.³

1. World Health Organization, “Tuberculosis Country Profiles: China,” accessed December 30, 2025, https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/countries/country-details/GHO/china
2. World Health Organization, “China certified malaria-free,” June 2021, accessed December 30, 2025 https://www.who.int/news/item/30-06-2021-who-certifies-china-malaria-free
3. National Health Service (UK), “China: Travel Health,” accessed December 30, 2025, https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/asia-east/china
4. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, “Avian influenza overview,” accessed December 30, 2025, https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/avian-influenza
5. World Health Organization, “Summary of probable SARS cases with onset of illness from 1 November 2002 to 31 July 2003,” accessed December 30, 2025, https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/summary-of-probable-sars-cases-with-onset-of-illness-from-1-november-2002-to-31-july-2003