Safety

The security situation, which has experienced some moments of tension during the protests of the monks and September 2007, she returned quietly.
We can not exclude the occurrence of further demonstrations to coincide with elections to be held in 2010.
It should also be noted that in May 2005 took place simultaneously 3 terrorist attacks in as many shopping malls in the capital, which has killed dozens of people and many injured. In April 2006 there have been incidents of bomb in the capital, with damage to structures. On 15 January 2007 a parcel bomb exploded in a central post office in Yangon with the wounding of a person. During 2008 there have been other episodes dinamit minor that did not cause either physical damage or injuries. However, for Italian nationals who were traveling in Myanmar are recommended to stay away from places of possible events and the crowds and not to photograph or film the military, police or any protesters. It also recommends to stay informed on the situation during the stay and on measures that may be issued by local authorities. It is advisable to maintain a high threshold to adopt measures of prudence and caution about the possible risk of terrorist acts, in particular attention should be paid to parcels or bags left unattended in offices or shops.

In the wet season (April to October) it is possible the occurrence of cyclonic events, including violence and important entity, which could cause damage and emergency situations.

The crime rate especially in tourist areas, is low. Particular care is placed by local authorities to promote tourism, which is generally a favorable environment and serene. Movements within the country, especially in areas of tourist interest, often bear no particular difficulties.
The local Ministry of Tourism issues a list of areas and regions where there is a prohibition of access. It is advisable to obtain advance information on accessibility of the regions to be visited at the Embassy of Myanmar, taking into account the fact that the areas off-limits can still change at any time without notice, and that is good to always check on the spot if the location you intend to visit is actually accessible. Among the prohibited areas can be reported to the Chin State and Kayah State.

AREAS AT RISK recommended:
1) the border area with Thailand, the scene of occasional firefights since there are smugglers, rebel groups and refugees. In particular you should avoid the Shan State (in the region of Tachileik) and the State of Kayin (in the region of Myawadi);
2) the state of Rakhine State in the border with Bangladesh is characterized by severe ethnic and religious tensions that often erupt into violent clashes;

AREAS OF CAUTION:
Special caution must be taken in the border areas of the country such as:
a) those adjacent to the State of the Kachin and China;
b) the region of the "golden triangle" (the border area between Myanmar, Laos and Thailand), known for the production of opium. Moreover, access in these areas is allowed only with permission of local authorities, which may be withheld for security reasons. These areas are generally outside the usual tourist track.

WARNINGS
Please note that outside the towns are many species of reptiles some of them poisonous.
We also recommend:
- Strict adherence to the instructions provided on site by travel agencies or from the leadership of confidence;
- Not express public opinions on political authorities and local governments;
- Do not photograph airports, bridges, military facilities and personnel as strictly forbidden;
- Be wary of occasional "money changers" (including the guides) which are popular tourist sites and markets frequented by foreigners;
- Do not wear shorts and sleeveless shirts when visiting religious sites as the main tourist sites in the country are Buddhists;
- Respect the local traditions and customs, thus avoiding unpleasant misunderstanding. Before entering a pagoda or a monastery is required to take off shoes and socks.

Legislation provided for the use and / or drug dealing (light and heavy):
Burmese law on the use and possession of drugs is very severe and, in severe cases, it envisages the death penalty.

Local law provided for sexual abuse or violence against minors:
child sexual abuse are considered serious crimes and sentences involving no less than seven years is expected to be life imprisonment in severe cases.
It should be noted, moreover, that those who commit crimes abroad against children (sexual abuse, exploitation, prostitution) are being prosecuted on their return under the laws in force.

In case of problems with local police (state detention or arrest), including those for non-compliance stradidali, you should always inform the Embassy in Yangon for the necessary assistance.

Health situation


Local hospitals are largely poor and inadequate and obsolete equipment with limited availability of medicines, and conversely you can count on a discreet professionalism of some local doctors.
The traditional destinations such as Mandalay, Bagan, Inle, Ngpali, Nwe Saung and a few others have some small health facilities and means of assistance, while the rest of the country has no means to deal with emergency situations.
The existence of a telephone network outdated, with problems of interruption of the lines sometimes affects the timeliness of intervention against those who may find themselves in emergency situations.

The sanitary conditions are precarious in the country, particularly in remote areas and inland to the presence of diseases common in tropical areas such as amoeba, tuberculosis, malaria (p. falciparum), dengue fever, dysentery, hepatitis type A and B, cholera and typhus.

There are numerous cases of HIV / AIDS.

According to the WHO (World Health Organization) are not currently present in the country cases of bird flu. However, in view of outbreaks in poultry died in various parts of the country occurred in the recent past, we recommend a precautionary measure, the consumption of meat and eggs of birds and pollome only thoroughly cooked and avoid direct contact with live poultry dead. For more information see the brochure entitled "Avian influenza: risk, information and preventive measures, repeated on the main page of this site. More al'Organizzazione World Health Organization: www.who.int / csr / don.

In case of serious injury or serious illness, it is strongly recommended, the return to Italy, or admission to hospital in Bangkok or Singapore.

We suggest, therefore, to conclude, before undertaking the trip, a suitable insurance policy which provides, in addition to covering medical expenses including emergency repatriation or the possible transfer of the patient in another country.
A Yangon operates a clinic with foreign medical staff can arrange emergency medical evacuations. Contact SOS International Clinic - Phone: (0095.1) 66.78.71
For evacuation by SOS International Clinic absolutely verify that the insurance policy expressly provides.

We also recommend, to:
- Undergo a malaria prophylaxis, after consulting a doctor, if you go in inland areas and rural areas;
- Submit, after consulting a doctor, vaccinations against: hepatitis A and B (widespread among the local population), Japanese encephalitis, typhoid, rabies, diphtheria and tetanus;
- Does not take water and not drink milk and drink produced locally by not adding the ice;
- Avoid eating fresh vegetables and fruits that have not been well washed with clean water;
- Protect against insect bites (mosquitoes in particular), applying lotion repellents, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and sleeping in the shelter of mosquito. Therefore advised to take, while within the country, preventive measures against mosquito bites listed under "FOCUS" on the home page of this site;
- Avoid going barefoot to prevent infection by fungi or parasites;
- Avoid swimming in rivers or lakes.