Monday, March 24, 2014

Be sure you have proper vaccines when coming to West Papua

Papua is a malaria area and you are advised to take precautions and follow the advice from your local health centre.

Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes that usually bite from dusk to dawn. Symptoms can develop as early as six days or as late as several months after exposure. Early malaria symptoms are flu like, such as head/body aches and generally feeling tired and unwell. Untreated, it can cause complications including anaemia, seizures, mental confusion, kidney failure and coma. It can be fatal.

Prevalance of Malaria in Indonesia

Malaria is present in most of Indonesia. Chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum malaria is present.

There is no malaria in:
  • Jakarta
  • Main resort areas of Bali or the island of Java (except for Menorah Hills in central Java, risk exists there)
  • Urban areas in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara Barat
There is malaria in:
  • All rural areas in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Nusa Tenggara Barat and Sulawesi
  • Areas of Bali outside the main resort areas
  • All areas of eastern Indonesia including Papua, Nusa Tangara, Timur, Maluku and Maluku Utara
  • Lombok
Malaria is a potential problem in almost all areas outside the main metropolitan centers in Indonesia. It is more effective and healthier to rely more on anti-mosquito measures than on anti-parasite drugs. Be aware of these points:
  • Malaria is spread by mosquitoes, so any measures that reduce mosquito bites reduce the risk of contracting malaria and other illnesses such as dengue fever.
  • For prophylactic drugs to be effective, they must be taken regularly according to the recommended schedule.
  • Prophylactic medication does NOT offer absolute protection.
  • Exceeding the recommended dose of prophylactic medication does not increase its effectiveness and will increase the risk of side effects, which may (rarely) be serious. Before certain types of malaria prophylaxis are prescribed, a doctor's examination and laboratory tests are advised.
More information about the subject on expat.or.id.

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