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Afghanistan
Risk:
Very High
Health Overview
Afghanistan is Level 4 where Embassy closed since August 2021, Taliban detain American citizens, IS-K conducts bombings, September 2025 M6.0 killed 1,100+. P. vivax-dominant malaria clinically distinctive. No government rescue.
Key Health Risks
Very High
Terrorism / Taliban Detention
IS-K bombings. Taliban surveil foreigners. Arbitrary detention. Dual nationals elevated risk.
High
Natural Disaster / Earthquake
September 2025 M6.0 killed 1,100+. Herat 2023 killed 1,400+. Rescue impossible in mountains.
Moderate
Malaria / Infectious Disease
P. vivax dominant. Cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic Kabul. TB among highest in Asia. CCHF present.
Health Risk Callout
Highest cutaneous leishmaniasis in some provinces. Poliovirus circulates — booster required.
Other Health Risks
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis; Typhoid; TB; Rabies; CCHF; Brucellosis; Polio (circulating) | 2026 UPDATE: Measles: CDC Level 1 Travel Health Notice 'Measles in Afghanistan' active (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-afghanistan, 2026) ; Poliovirus (WPV/cVDPV): Afghanistan remains on active poliovirus transmission list; Global Polio Level 2 THN (https://www.who.int/news/item/04-03-2026-statement-of-the-forty-fourth-meeting-of-the-polio-ihr-emergency-committee, 2026-03-04)
Regional Information
Regional Risk Callout
Risk uniformly extreme. Kabul most functional but IS-K bombs. Eastern provinces armed conflict. All areas carry Taliban detention risk.
Regional Healthcare Callout
Outside Kabul hospitals do not exist. Medevac to Islamabad or Dubai. FAA NOTAM complicates routing.
Vaccine and Malaria Prevention
💉 Entry Vaccine Required
No YF required.
🛡️ Recommended Vaccines
Routine; Hep A; Hep B; Typhoid; Rabies; Polio booster (required — on poliovirus list); Meningococcal for extended stays
🦟 Malaria Information
- Risk Level: Moderate
- Areas: Rural areas below 2,000m; eastern provinces highest; Kabul 1,800m lower but non-zero; seasonal July-October
- Recommended Drug: Atovaquone-proguanil; chloroquine (P. vivax areas); doxycycline; mefloquine; tafenoquine; primaquine terminal prophylaxis
- Drug Resistance: Yes
Afghanistan malaria clinically distinct: P. vivax dominates (~70-80%). Hypnozoite problem requires primaquine terminal prophylaxis.
Moderate
Physician Note
Dr. Robert
Emergency Medicine · 25+ Years · 40+ Countries
Afghanistan not recommended for any civilian. P. vivax-dominant malaria requires primaquine terminal prophylaxis.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic Kabul. Polio — booster mandatory. No government rescue.
Pre-Departure Checklist
8+ Weeks
- DO NOT TRAVEL HERE
Trip Type Guidance
No trip types appropriate. Embassy closed. Only authorized NGO with security frameworks.
Notes
Special Evacuation Notes
Embassy suspended August 2021. No consular services. FAA NOTAM/SFAR. Evacuation to Islamabad or Dubai.
Safety Notes
Taliban detention. IS-K bombings. No U.S. government rescue. Dual nationals elevated risk.
partner recommendation
Medical Evacuation & Assistance
A medical crisis far from home can cost $50,000+ to evacuate. Global Rescue — the partner we personally trust — provides worldwide evacuation and round-the-clock medical assistance.
Good For
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