Malta Travel Health Information

Read below for travel health advice on Malta from the MDtravelhealth channel on Red Planet Travel.

Page Sections

1. Summary
2. Immunizations
3. Recent outbreaks of diseases
4. Other Infections
5. Food and Water
6. General Advice
7. Physicians and Hospitals
8. Medical Facilities
9. Travel with children
10. Maps
11. Embassy
12. Safety Information
13. Page Drop Box

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• Summary You can't Edit

  1

  Summary of recommendations

  In general, no special medications or immunizations are necessary for travel to Malta.

  Vaccinations:

  Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)	Two doses recommended for all travelers born after 1956, if not previously given
  Tetanus-diphtheria	Revaccination recommended every 10 years
  Yellow fever	Required for all travelers greater than nine months of age arriving from a yellow-fever-infected area in Africa or the Americas
  Influenza	Recommended for all travelers from November through April

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  <p><strong>Summary of recommendations</strong></p> <p>In general, no special medications or immunizations are necessary for travel to Malta.</p> <p>Vaccinations:</p> <table class="table table-striped table-hover table-bordered"> <tbody> <tr> <td>Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)</td> <td>Two doses recommended for all travelers born after 1956, if not previously given</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tetanus-diphtheria</td> <td>Revaccination recommended every 10 years</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Yellow fever</td> <td>Required for all travelers greater than nine months of age arriving from a yellow-fever-infected area in Africa or the Americas</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Influenza</td> <td>Recommended for all travelers from November through April</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

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• Immunizations You can't Edit

  2

  Immunizations

  All children should be up-to-date on routine childhood immunizations, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, prior to international travel.

  Influenza vaccine is recommended for all travelers during flu season, which runs from November through April. The vaccine may cause soreness at the injection site, low-grade fevers, malaise, and muscle aches. Severe reactions are rare. Influenza vaccine should not be given to pregnant women during the first trimester.

  Yellow fever vaccine is required for all travelers greater than nine months of age arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas. If indicated on epidemiologic grounds, infants less than nine months of age are subject to isolation or surveillance if coming from an area with risk of yellow fever transmission. No certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required for travelers having transited through an airport located in a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Yellow fever vaccine (YF-VAX; Aventis Pasteur Inc.) (PDF) must be administered at an approved yellow fever vaccination center, which will give each vaccinee a fully validated International Certificate of Vaccination. The vaccine should not in general be given to children less than nine months of age, pregnant women, immunocompromised travelers, or anyone allergic to eggs.

  Tetanus-diphtheria vaccine is recommended for all travelers who have not received a tetanus-diphtheria immunization within the last 10 years.

  Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine: two doses are recommended (if not previously given) for all travelers born after 1956, unless blood tests show immunity. Many adults born after 1956 and before 1970 received only one vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella as children and should be given a second dose before travel. MMR vaccine should not be given to pregnant or severely immunocompromised individuals.

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  <categorytext name="Immunizations"> <p> <strong>Immunizations</strong> </p> <p>All children should be up-to-date on routine childhood immunizations, as recommended by the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5751a5.htm">American Academy of Pediatrics</a>, prior to international travel. </p> <p> <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/influenza">Influenza</a> vaccine is recommended for all travelers during flu season, which runs from November through April. The vaccine may cause soreness at the injection site, low-grade fevers, malaise, and muscle aches. Severe reactions are rare. Influenza vaccine should not be given to pregnant women during the first trimester.</p> <p> <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/yellow_fever">Yellow fever</a> vaccine is required for all travelers greater than nine months of age arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in <a href="http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2012/chapter-3-infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever.htm#1948">Africa</a> or <a href="http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2012/chapter-3-infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever.htm#1948">the Americas</a>. If indicated on epidemiologic grounds, infants less than nine months of age are subject to isolation or surveillance if coming from an area with risk of yellow fever transmission. No certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required for travelers having transited through an airport located in a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Yellow fever vaccine (YF-VAX; Aventis Pasteur Inc.) (PDF) must be administered at an approved yellow fever vaccination center, which will give each vaccinee a fully validated International Certificate of Vaccination. The vaccine should not in general be given to children less than nine months of age, pregnant women, immunocompromised travelers, or anyone allergic to eggs.</p> <p> <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/tetanus">Tetanus</a>-<a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/diphtheria">diphtheria</a> vaccine is recommended for all travelers who have not received a tetanus-diphtheria immunization within the last 10 years.</p> <p> <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/measles">Measles</a>-<a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/mumps">mumps</a>-<a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/rubella">rubella</a> vaccine: two doses are recommended (if not previously given) for all travelers born after 1956, unless blood tests show immunity. Many adults born after 1956 and before 1970 received only one vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella as children and should be given a second dose before travel. MMR vaccine should not be given to pregnant or severely immunocompromised individuals.</p> </categorytext>

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• Recent outbreaks of diseases You can't Edit

  3

  Recent outbreaks

  A cluster of rubella cases was reported from Malta in January 2008, involving three people, none of whom had been vaccinated against rubella (see Eurosurveillance). All international travelers should make sure they are fully immunized against rubella, as above.

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  <categorytext name="Recentoutbreaks"> <p> <strong>Recent outbreaks</strong> </p> <p>A cluster of <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/rubella">rubella</a> cases was reported from Malta in January 2008, involving three people, none of whom had been vaccinated against rubella (see <a href="http://www.eurosurveillance.org/edition/v13n16/080417_6.asp">Eurosurveillance</a>). All international travelers should make sure they are fully immunized against rubella, as above. </p> </categorytext>

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• Other Infections You can't Edit

  4

  Other infections

  Brucellosis is occasionally reported. Cattle, sheep, and goats are the most common sources of infection.

  Revisions

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  <categorytext name="OtherInfections"> <p> <strong>Other infections</strong> </p> <p> <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/brucellosis">Brucellosis</a> is occasionally reported. Cattle, sheep, and goats are the most common sources of infection.</p> </categorytext>

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• Food and Water You can't Edit

  5

  Food and water precautions

  Do not eat fruits or vegetables unless they have been peeled or cooked. Avoid cooked foods that are no longer piping hot. Cooked foods that have been left at room temperature are particularly hazardous. Avoid unpasteurized milk and any products that might have been made from unpasteurized milk, such as ice cream. Avoid food and beverages obtained from street vendors. Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or fish. Some types of fish may contain poisonous biotoxins even when cooked. Barracuda in particular should never be eaten. Other fish that may contain toxins include red snapper, grouper, amberjack, and sea bass.

  All travelers should bring along an antibiotic and an antidiarrheal drug to be started promptly if significant diarrhea occurs, defined as three or more loose stools in an 8-hour period or five or more loose stools in a 24-hour period, especially if accompanied by nausea, vomiting, cramps, fever or blood in the stool. Antibiotics which have been shown to be effective include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), rifaximin (Xifaxan), or azithromycin (Zithromax). Either loperamide (Imodium) or diphenoxylate (Lomotil) should be taken in addition to the antibiotic to reduce diarrhea and prevent dehydration.

  If diarrhea is severe or bloody, or if fever occurs with shaking chills, or if abdominal pain becomes marked, or if diarrhea persists for more than 72 hours, medical attention should be sought.

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  <categorytext name="FoodandWater"> <p> <strong>Food and water precautions</strong> </p> <p>Do not eat fruits or vegetables unless they have been peeled or cooked. Avoid cooked foods that are no longer piping hot. Cooked foods that have been left at room temperature are particularly hazardous. Avoid unpasteurized milk and any products that might have been made from unpasteurized milk, such as ice cream. Avoid food and beverages obtained from street vendors. Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or fish. Some types of fish may contain poisonous biotoxins even when cooked. Barracuda in particular should never be eaten. Other fish that may contain toxins include red snapper, grouper, amberjack, and sea bass.</p> <p>All travelers should bring along an antibiotic and an antidiarrheal drug to be started promptly if significant diarrhea occurs, defined as three or more loose stools in an 8-hour period or five or more loose stools in a 24-hour period, especially if accompanied by nausea, vomiting, cramps, fever or blood in the stool. Antibiotics which have been shown to be effective include <a href="http://www.univgraph.com/bayer/inserts/ciprotab.pdf">ciprofloxacin (Cipro)</a>, levofloxacin (Levaquin), <a href="http://www.salix.com/pdf/XifaxanPI.pdf">rifaximin (Xifaxan)</a>, or <a href="http://www.pfizer.com/hml/pi's/zithromaxregpi.html">azithromycin (Zithromax)</a>. Either loperamide (Imodium) or diphenoxylate (Lomotil) should be taken in addition to the antibiotic to reduce diarrhea and prevent dehydration. </p> <p>If diarrhea is severe or bloody, or if fever occurs with shaking chills, or if abdominal pain becomes marked, or if diarrhea persists for more than 72 hours, medical attention should be sought. </p> </categorytext>

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• General Advice You can't Edit

  6

  General advice

  Bring adequate supplies of all medications in their original containers, clearly labeled. Carry a signed, dated letter from the primary physician describing all medical conditions and listing all medications, including generic names. If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to carry a physician's letter documenting their medical necessity.Pack all medications in hand luggage. Carry a duplicate supply in the checked luggage. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring an extra pair. If you have significant allergies or chronic medical problems, wear a medical alert bracelet.

  Make sure your health insurance covers you for medical expenses abroad. If not, supplemental insurance for overseas coverage, including possible evacuation, should be seriously considered. If illness occurs while abroad, medical expenses including evacuation may run to tens of thousands of dollars. For a list of travel insurance and air ambulance companies, go to Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad on the U.S. State Department website. Bring your insurance card, claim forms, and any other relevant insurance documents. Before departure, determine whether your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures. The Medicare and Medicaid programs do not pay for medical services outside the United States.

  Pack a personal medical kit, customized for your trip (see description). Take appropriate measures to prevent motion sickness and jet lag, discussed elsewhere. On long flights, be sure to walk around the cabin, contract your leg muscles periodically, and drink plenty of fluids to prevent blood clots in the legs. For those at high risk for blood clots, consider wearing compression stockings.

  Avoid contact with stray dogs and other animals. If an animal bites or scratches you, clean the wound with large amounts of soap and water and contact local health authorities immediately. Wear sun block regularly when needed. Use condoms for all sexual encounters. Ride only in motor vehicles with seat belts. Do not ride on motorcycles.

  Revisions

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  <categorytext name="GeneralAdvice"> <p> <strong>General advice</strong> </p> <p>Bring adequate supplies of all medications in their original containers, clearly labeled. Carry a signed, dated letter from the primary physician describing all medical conditions and listing all medications, including generic names. If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to carry a physician's letter documenting their medical necessity.Pack all medications in hand luggage. Carry a duplicate supply in the checked luggage. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring an extra pair. If you have significant allergies or chronic medical problems, wear a medical alert bracelet. </p> <p>Make sure your health insurance covers you for medical expenses abroad. If not, supplemental insurance for overseas coverage, including possible evacuation, should be seriously considered. If illness occurs while abroad, medical expenses including evacuation may run to tens of thousands of dollars. For a list of travel insurance and air ambulance companies, go to Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad on the U.S. State Department website. Bring your insurance card, claim forms, and any other relevant insurance documents. Before departure, determine whether your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures. The Medicare and Medicaid programs do not pay for medical services outside the United States.</p> <p>Pack a personal <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/medical_kit">medical kit</a>, customized for your trip (see description). Take appropriate measures to prevent <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/motion_sickness">motion sickness</a> and <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/jet_lag">jet lag</a>, discussed elsewhere. On long flights, be sure to walk around the cabin, contract your leg muscles periodically, and drink plenty of fluids to prevent <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/deep_vein_thrombosis">blood clots</a> in the legs. For those at high risk for blood clots, consider wearing compression stockings.</p> <p> Avoid contact with stray dogs and other animals. If an animal bites or scratches you, clean the wound with large amounts of soap and water and contact local health authorities immediately. Wear sun block regularly when needed. Use condoms for all sexual encounters. Ride only in motor vehicles with seat belts. Do not ride on motorcycles. </p> </categorytext>

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• Physicians and Hospitals You can't Edit

  7

  Physicians and hospitals

  For an on-line list of English-speaking physicians and hospitals in Malta, go to the United States Embassy website.

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  <categorytext name="PhysiciansandHospitals"> <p> <strong>Physicians and hospitals</strong> </p> <p>For an on-line list of English-speaking physicians and hospitals in Malta, go to the United States Embassy website. </p> </categorytext>

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• Medical Facilities You can't Edit

  8

  Medical facilities

  (reproduced from the U.S. State Dept. Consular Information Sheet)

  Medical care is available through public and private hospitals. The quality of medical care in Malta is excellent. Private hospitals generally offer a higher standard of service than the public hospitals, and most of the best doctors practice in private medical facilities.

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  <categorytext name="MedicalFacilities"> <p> <strong>Medical facilities</strong> </p> <p> (reproduced from the U.S. State Dept. Consular Information Sheet)</p> <p>Medical care is available through public and private hospitals. The quality of medical care in Malta is excellent. Private hospitals generally offer a higher standard of service than the public hospitals, and most of the best doctors practice in private medical facilities. </p> </categorytext>

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• Travel with children You can't Edit

  9

  Traveling with children

  Before you leave, make sure you have the names and contact information for physicians, clinics, and hospitals where you can obtain emergency medical care if needed.

  All children should be up-to-date on routine childhood immunizations, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children who are 12 months or older should receive a total of 2 doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, separated by at least 28 days, before international travel. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 months should be given a single dose of measles vaccine. MMR vaccine may be given if measles vaccine is not available, though immunization against mumps and rubella is not necessary before age one unless visiting a country where an outbreak is in progress. Children less than one year of age may also need to receive other immunizations ahead of schedule (see the accelerated immunization schedule).

  Be sure to pack a medical kit when traveling with children. In addition to the items listed for adults, bring along plenty of disposable diapers, cream for diaper rash, and appropriate antibiotics for common childhood infections, such as middle ear infections.

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  <categorytext name="Travelwithchildren"> <p> <strong>Traveling with children</strong> </p> <p>Before you leave, make sure you have the names and contact information for physicians, clinics, and hospitals where you can obtain emergency medical care if needed.</p> <p>All children should be up-to-date on routine childhood immunizations, as recommended by the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5751a5.htm">American Academy of Pediatrics</a>. Children who are 12 months or older should receive a total of 2 doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, separated by at least 28 days, before international travel. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 months should be given a single dose of measles vaccine. MMR vaccine may be given if measles vaccine is not available, though immunization against mumps and rubella is not necessary before age one unless visiting a country where an outbreak is in progress. Children less than one year of age may also need to receive other immunizations ahead of schedule (see the accelerated immunization schedule). </p> <p>Be sure to pack a <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/medical_kit">medical kit</a> when traveling with children. In addition to the items listed for adults, bring along plenty of disposable diapers, cream for diaper rash, and appropriate antibiotics for common childhood infections, such as middle ear infections. </p> </categorytext>

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• Maps You can't Edit

  10

  Maps

  Helpful maps are available in the University of Texas Perry-Castaneda Map Collection and the United Nations map library. If you have the name of the town or city you'll be visiting and need to know which state or province it's in, you might find your answer in the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names.

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  <categorytext name="Maps"> <p> <strong>Maps</strong> </p> <p>Helpful maps are available in the <a href="http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/">University of Texas Perry-Castaneda Map Collection</a> and the <a href="http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/english/htmain.htm">United Nations</a> map library. If you have the name of the town or city you'll be visiting and need to know which state or province it's in, you might find your answer in the <a href="http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/tgn/index.html">Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names</a>.</p> </categorytext>

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• Embassy You can't Edit

  11

  Embassy/Consulate Location

  (reproduced from the U.S. State Dept. Consular Information Sheet)

  Americans living in or visiting Malta are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Malta and obtain updated information on travel and security within Malta. The U.S. Embassy is located on the third floor of Development House, St. Anne Street, Floriana, Valletta, telephone: (356) 2561 4000. The Consular Section's telephone number is (356) 2156-4115, fax: (356) 21-243-229, website: http://usembassy.state.gov/malta/wwwhcons.html. The Consular Section is open to the public Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 am.

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  <categorytext name="Embassy"> <p> <strong>Embassy/Consulate Location</strong> </p> <p> (reproduced from the U.S. State Dept. Consular Information Sheet)</p> <p>Americans living in or visiting Malta are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Malta and obtain updated information on travel and security within Malta. The U.S. Embassy is located on the third floor of Development House, St. Anne Street, Floriana, Valletta, telephone: (356) 2561 4000. The Consular Section's telephone number is (356) 2156-4115, fax: (356) 21-243-229, website: http://usembassy.state.gov/malta/wwwhcons.html. The Consular Section is open to the public Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 am. </p> </categorytext>

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• Safety Information You can't Edit

  12

  Safety information

  For information on safety and security, go to the U.S. Department of State, United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Foreign Affairs Canada, and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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  <categorytext name="SafetyInformation"> <p> <strong>Safety information</strong> </p> <p>For information on safety and security, go to the U.S. Department of State, United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, <a href="http://www.voyage.gc.ca/consular_home-en.asp">Foreign Affairs Canada</a>, and the <a href="http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/index.html">Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade</a>.</p> </categorytext>

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