Key points

• Travelers should avoid nonessential travel to southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria.
• On February 6, 2022, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake occurred in southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria.
• The earthquake impacted infrastructure in both countries, limiting access to electricity, drinking water, and food supplies.
• The US Embassy in Turkey issued an alert on February 6 advising US citizens to follow safety guidelines and contact local government disaster management organizations for assistance. Medical care may be limited or unavailable.
• Humanitarian aid workers who must travel to the affected region should be aware that there is a cholera outbreak in Syria. Cholera in travelers is rare but can occur where there is limited access to safe food and water. To prevent cholera, travelers should follow safe food and water guidelines and wash their hands.

If you must travel to southeastern Turkey or northwestern Syria, take steps to protect yourself.

Before travel

• Check the CDC website.
  • Turkey and Syria destination pages for additional health information.
  • Travelers’ Health Cholera page
  • CDC Website for Natural Disasters and Severe Weather: Earthquakes
  • Humanitarian Aid Workers (CDC Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel)

• Check the US Department of State website.
  • Turkey and Syria International Travel Information
  • Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): enroll online to receive security updates and information about emergency assistance

During travel

• Take protective actions after an earthquake.

If you get sick during or after travel

• Seek medical care immediately and tell your healthcare provider about where you went and all activities you took part in during your trip.