If you’re travelling to Punjab or Gujarat, especially to stay in rural villages, it’s important to take extra care when it comes to your health.
While these regions are incredibly welcoming, authentic and rich in culture, they also come with higher exposure to food- and mosquito-borne illnesses — particularly outside of the major cities.
Here’s a travel health checklist tailored for longer stays or visits to rural areas in India’s northwest and west.
Country-Specific Vaccine Requirements
Recommended Vaccines for Rural India
In rural areas of Punjab and Gujarat, travellers may be at greater risk of exposure to illnesses through local food, water, animals, and insects.
We recommend these vaccines for most rural travellers:
Hepatitis A – Spread through contaminated food and water. Very common risk.
Typhoid – Higher risk in rural or semi-urban environments where sanitation is limited.
Tetanus, Diphtheria & Polio (Td/IPV) – Often included in routine UK jabs, but a booster may be advised.
Hepatitis B – Recommended for prolonged stays, medical exposure, or close contact with locals.
Rabies – Highly recommended for rural stays, especially where contact with stray dogs, monkeys or livestock is possible.
Japanese Encephalitis – Recommended for rural travellers staying more than a month, particularly during monsoon season (June–October).
💡 Unsure what you need? Aqua Travel Clinic offers fast, same-day consultations to advise and vaccinate based on your itinerary.
Malaria Risk in Punjab and Gujarat
Malaria risk is low in Punjab’s cities, but may increase in rural or agricultural areas — especially during post-monsoon season.
- In Gujarat, the malaria risk is moderate in some regions, particularly Sabarkantha, Panchmahal, and forested or tribal zones.
- Travellers to villages and farms are advised to discuss malaria tablets with a travel health professional.
Anti-malarial tablets like Malarone or Doxycycline may be appropriate, especially if you’re spending time in low-lying, humid or forested areas.
Food & Water Safety in Rural Areas
Stomach bugs are the most common issue for travellers in India — and rural areas can pose a greater risk.
Follow these basic hygiene rules:
- Drink bottled or boiled water only
- Avoid ice unless you’re 100% sure it’s from filtered water
- Don’t eat raw vegetables or unpeeled fruit
- Carry oral rehydration salts and antibacterial hand gel
- Avoid street food unless freshly cooked in front of you
💡 Bring a small travel first aid kit — including diarrhoea relief, antiseptic cream, plasters, and any prescription meds.
Travel Health Essentials for Rural India
- High-strength insect repellent (30–50% DEET)
- Mosquito net for sleeping, if staying in village homes
- Dust/smog masks (especially if travelling through urban areas en route)
- Sunblock and sun hat
- Loose, breathable clothing to avoid bites and heat rash
When to Get Vaccinated
Ideally, book your travel vaccines at least 4–6 weeks before your trip. But if you’re travelling soon — don’t worry. We can still help.
At Aqua Travel Clinic in West Hampstead, we offer:
- ✅ Same-day appointments
- ✅ No booking fee
- ✅ Expert travel health advice
- ✅ Convenient late opening hours (open till 7PM)
Visiting Punjab or Gujarat? Let’s Get You Protected.
Whether you’re going back to your ancestral village or exploring rural India for the first time, our team is here to make sure you stay protected.