Tropical diseases, including malaria, yellow fever and cholera, occur very rarely in Fiji, since the country does its best to protect itself against animal, human and vegetation-related pests and diseases. Fiji’s importation laws and restrictions are some of its methods to ensure that illnesses and other health risks do not enter the country.

The importation of vegetable seeds, matter, or any animal product into the country is prohibited unless the individual possesses the relevant import permits from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests. A permit is also required for the importation of dogs, cats and any other live animals. These animals must be kept in quarantine isolation on arrival, with the length of the isolation period depending on the animal’s country of origin. Quarantine officers are also stationed at the Fijian international airports in Nadi and Nausori and at the ports of entry for vessels.

Vaccinations to enter Fiji

No vaccination certificates are required for those entering Fiji, except a yellow fever vaccination certificate for those who are entering the country within 10 days of having stayed overnight or longer in infected areas.

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the following vaccines are also recommended for those planning on visiting Fiji who are in the mentioned situations:

Typhoid vaccine: recommended for all unvaccinated people who are travelling to or working in the southern and western Pacific, especially for those who are visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or villages and are staying with others in areas where exposure may occur through water or food.
Hepatitis A vaccine (or immune globulin [IG]): recommended for all unvaccinated people who are travelling to or working in areas that contain an intermediate or high level of the Hepatitis A virus infection, where exposure may occur through water or food.
Hepatitis B vaccine: Recommended for all unvaccinated people who are travelling to or working in areas with intermediate or high levels of HBV transmission, especially those who might be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids, who have had sexual contact with the local population, or who may have been exposed to body fluids through medical treatment.

Fiji Food and Water Safety

Food and water-borne diseases are the leading causes of illnesses among travelers visiting foreign countries. These preventive measures will help protect you from getting sick through food and water:

Drink only bottled or boiled water and carbonated drinks in bottles or cans. Avoid fountain drinks, tap water and ice cubes. However, there is some freshwater reticulated in Suva, Lautoka and other major Fijian towns, as well as water from resorts and hotels, that is safe to drink from the tap.
Make sure food is fully cooked before eating it.
Avoid eating food that is purchased from street vendors.
Do not eat dairy products, unless you know that they have been pasteurized.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before eating. However, if soap and water are not available, you can also use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Preventing Insect Bites and Other Animal Bites and Scratches

Diseases, such as dengue, Ross River virus, Murray Valley encephalitis and filariasis (philariasis) are diseases carried by insects that occur in the Pacific island region. Direct contact with other animals can also spread diseases, such as rabies.

Following these precautions can help prevent you from contracting diseases through insects and other animals:

Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and a hat outdoors to protect yourself from insects.
Use insect repellent with 30%-50% DEET. If you use picaridin, which is available in 7% and 15% concentrations, you will need to reapply it more frequently. However, there is less information on how effective picaridin is at protecting against all the types of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes.
Do not feed or touch any animal, including dogs and cats. Even if they appear healthy, they can still carry diseases.
Help children stay safe by supervising them around all animals.
If you are scratched or bitten by an animal, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and go to a doctor immediately. Also, after returning from your trip, make sure to tell your doctor or state health department that you were scratched or bitten during your stay.

Avoiding and Protecting Yourself from Vehicle-Related Accidents and Injuries

Vehicle accidents are the leading cause of injuries among travelers. To lessen the chances of getting into an accident and/or help reduce the severity of injuries from it, follow these tips:

Wear your seatbelt at all times and keep children in the backseat in car seats or booster seats.
Follow local traffic laws.
Avoid night driving.
Do not drink and drive.
Hire a local driver, when possible.
Wear helmets when riding motorcycles, bikes and motor bikes.
Avoid getting in an overloaded bus or mini-bus.

Medicine and Other Items You May Need

You may need the following medicines and other items during your stay, so you should bring them with you for health and safety reasons:

Your prescribed medicines: Make sure you have enough that will last the entire trip.
Diarrhea medicine, usually over-the-counter (note that some drugs available by prescription in the U.S. are prohibited in other countries, so check the U.S. Department of State Consular Information Sheets for all the countries you plan to visit, the country’s embassy, or consulate for the country. If a particular medicine that you are prescribed does turn out to be illegal in the country, ask your health care provider to write a letter on office stationary stating that the medicine was prescribed to you.).
Sunglasses and sunblock to protect against harmful UV rays from the sun.
Lodine tablets and portable water filters to purify water in case bottled water is not available.
Alcohol-based sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol or antibacterial hand wipes.
Lightweight long-sleeved shirts, long pants and a hat to wear outside to protect against insects, as well as a spray that kills insects on contact to help clear rooms of mosquitoes.

Other Health and Safety Tips for Fiji

To avoid fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet dry and clean, and avoid going barefoot, especially on beaches where animals may have defecated.

To prevent infections, such as viral hepatitis and HIV, do not share needles for body piercing, tattoos, or injections.
To reduce the risk of contracting HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases, always use latex condoms.