When traveling, ensure safe food and drink choices by considering destination-specific standards and activities. Prevent bug bites by wearing protective clothing, using insect repellent, and staying in screened areas. Use repellents with DEET or other specified ingredients for tick and mosquito protection. Avoid scratching bug bites, check for ticks, and take precautions against bed bugs.

Tips for staying safe outdoors in the Philippines:
– Monitor weather changes and adjust plans accordingly.
– Wear appropriate clothing and pack essentials like bug spray and a first aid kit.
– Learn basic first aid and CPR.
– Stay hydrated and protect against heat-related illnesses.
– Use sunscreen and seek shade during peak sun hours.
– Practice water safety and avoid swimming in untreated water.
– Take precautions around animals to prevent diseases like rabies.
– Seek medical care immediately for animal bites.

When traveling:
– Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals
– Review health insurance coverage and consider travel health insurance
– Have a card with medical information in the local language
– Check legality of prescription drugs in other countries
– Bring necessary medications and extra supply
– Verify accreditation of foreign hospitals
– Bring enough medications from home to avoid buying at destination
– Fill malaria prescription before traveling to risk areas and follow instructions carefully

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Philippines for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you. It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

After traveling, see a doctor if unwell. Inform them about your trip and any animal encounters. Finish prescribed antimalarial medicine. Seek immediate medical help for fever post-travel in a malaria-risk area within a year. 

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include: Chickenpox (Varicella) Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis – Flu (influenza) – Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) – Polio – Shingles All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. 
Other vaccines: 
Active cholera for children and adults
Hepatitis A – Recommended for un-vaccinated travelers one year old or older going to the Philippines. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. 
Hepatitis B – Recommended for un-vaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to the Philippines.
CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of the Philippines take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.
Rabid dogs are commonly found in the Philippines. However, if you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in the Philippines, rabies treatment is often available: consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.
Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers), Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens, Visitors to rural areas. Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to the Philippines.
Yellow Fever: required for travelers ≥9 months old arriving from countries with risk for YF virus transmission; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission.1