No. Avoid swimming, bathing, or wading in Iraqi rivers and other freshwater bodies, including lakes and streams. NaTHNaC's travel health guidance for Iraq identifies a risk of schistosomiasis, also called bilharzia, and advises all travellers to avoid these activities.
The parasites can penetrate intact skin, so you do not need to swallow water to become infected. This caution applies to washing or paddling in river water, not only swimming.
There is no vaccine or preventive medication for schistosomiasis. Applying insect repellent before exposure and towel drying after contact do not reliably prevent infection. Adequately chlorinated swimming pools do not pose a schistosomiasis risk.
If you have already had freshwater contact, arrange a medical screening for schistosomiasis and tell the clinician where and when the exposure occurred. Infection often causes no symptoms, so feeling well does not rule out infection. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or self-treat.
Sources: NaTHNaC TravelHealthPro: Iraq and NaTHNaC TravelHealthPro: Schistosomiasis.
Checked on 2026-10-25.