|
Asia
From the Himalayas to the Mekong Delta, Asia holds numerous wonders for the curious visitor. Unfortunately, it also poses various threats to ones health. Read on to get some preparatory knowledge on how to stay healthy in the worlds largest continent.
Enjoying your trip to its fullest always involves some amount of preparation and knowledge, so to make your planning easier weve put together some basic information outlining the general risks you might face in Asia. Consult the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the most up-to-date information on current health risks, and ask your physician about the best courses of vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis for the area youre visiting.
Food and Water:
Diarrhea afflictions commonly affect visitors. Assume that all water is contaminated, and either buy bottled water (widely available in most countries) or sterilize it yourself (see Food and Water Risks for further details). Even when locals insist that tap water is safe to drink, as the adage says, its better to be safe than sorry. Japan and Singapore are exceptions--water is generally safe to drink there--but you might want to stick to the purified stuff, just in case. Take special precautions to avoid drinks with ice made from tap water. Those crushed ice smoothies sold on the street may look refreshing and delicious, but may land you on a toilet for the rest of the day.
In most places, vegetables should be cooked and fruits peeled before eating. Luckily, most tropical fruits are of the peel variety, so have no fear and munch away on freshly peeled pineapples, mangoes, and the like. Avoid undercooked meat and seafood--they can be host to many bacteria that are damaging to ones health. Several strains of fluke illnesses have been reported throughout mainland Asia, and have been attributed to raw or undercooked seafood--so feast on these delights with caution.
Certain countries do not pasteurize their milk, and therefore you should avoid their dairy products. You can sterilize milk or make powdered milk with purified water as an alternative. Asian cuisine is not generally reliant on dairy anyway, so unless youre really craving a cool glass of milk, you dont have to worry too much.
The Elements:
While temperatures range from the tropical variety to the cool climates of high altitudes, the bottom line here is that the sun is strong--really strong. So cover up with sunscreen, don pants and long sleeves when you can, and wear a wide-brimmed hat to stay shaded and keep cool. Drink plenty of water--the humidity will make you sweat even more, and you need to balance fluid loss with fluid intake.
In several Asian cities, levels of air pollution are high due to vehicle emissions and blowing clouds of sand and dust. Those with asthma or other breathing problems should keep inhalers or other medications handy. You can protect yourself with a bandana, scarf, or lightweight mask (the latter is often sold in bicycle shops and is reasonably effective in keeping out pollutants) tied around your mouth and nose to prevent fumes and dust from entering your lungs. You can also ride in air-conditioned cars with the windows rolled up to keep away from fumes and such. If you wear contact lenses, bring a pair of glasses in case the air pollution makes your contacts uncomfortable.
High Altitudes:
Those trekking in the Himalayas and the mountains of Central Asia will be treated to some of the worlds most awe-inspiring scenery and challenging hikes. However, visiting such high altitudes opens a whole other can of worms. For further details, read our How to Avoid Altitude Sickness tip.
Health Risks:
Insect-borne diseases, especially malaria and dengue fever, are big risks in many parts of Asia. High malaria risk exists in parts of Bhutan, Cambodia, China (including Tibet, but not Hong Kong), India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Risk is generally high in rural areas; one need not worry in big cities and main tourist areas such as Phuket and Bali. However, its always best to check in advance to see which areas are the most at risk--take a peak at WHOs malaria zone map when in doubt. Consult your doctor several months before your trip to determine the best course of malaria prevention for you.
Dengue fever occurs in China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand (particularly in rural areas), and Vietnam. Unfortunately, no prophylaxis for dengue fever currently exists, so follow some simple guidelines to protect yourself from mosquito bites (see Creepy, Crawly Critters for further details and advice). Filaririasis is a risk in certain places, while leishmaniasis, typhus, and tick-borne fever have been reported in certain parts of South and Southeast Asia. Japanese encephalitis occurs in parts (mostly rural, and mostly after the rainy season) of China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. A vaccine is available, so depending on the course of your travels, you may want to consider getting it before your trip.
Schistosomiasis (or bilharzia), a strain of water-borne bacteria, is prevalent in many freshwater areas; avoid swimming or paddling in these places. Rabies is present in many parts of the continent. Snakes and leeches are often a hazard in certain areas.
Polio is endemic to many countries. Trachoma has been reported in Southeast Asia. Epidemics of meningococcal meningitis may occur.
Hepatitis B and HIV are problems in many Asian countries, particularly in Southeast Asia--exercise extreme caution and safety in situations that may lend themselves to contracting these diseases.
Immunization Suggestions and Requirements:
The following information was culled from reputable sources, such as CDC and WHO and reflects countries currently featured on Travelocity.com.
Bhutan
- Cholera, typhoid, polio, hepatitis A and B
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers coming from infected areas
Cambodia
- Hepatitis A and B, polio, typhoid, cholera
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers coming from infected areas
China
- Polio, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A and B, rabies
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers coming from infected areas
Hong Kong
India
- Cholera, polio, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, meningococcal meningitis
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers coming from infected areas
Indonesia
- Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, cholera, polio
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers coming from infected areas
Japan
- No inoculations are needed
Kazakhstan
- Cholera, typhoid, polio, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria
- Foreign visitors staying in the country for over 10 days may be required to take an AIDS test
Kyrgyzstan
- Typhoid, polio, diphtheria, hepatitis A and B
Laos
- Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, cholera
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers coming from infected areas
Malaysia
- Typhoid, polio, hepatitis A and B
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers over one year old coming from infected areas
Myanmar
- Cholera, typhoid, polio, hepatitis A and B
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers coming from infected areas
Nepal
- Hepatitis A and B, cholera, typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, meningococcal meningitis, polio
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers coming from infected areas
Philippines
- Cholera, typhoid, polio, hepatitis A and B
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers over one year old coming from infected areas
Singapore
- Diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, polio
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers over one year old coming from infected areas
Thailand
- Cholera, typhoid, polio, hepatitis A and B, tetanus
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers over one year old coming from infected areas
Turkmenistan
- Cholera, polio, typhoid, diphtheria, hepatitis A and B
Uzbekistan
- Cholera, typhoid, polio, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, meningococcal meningitis
- An AIDS test certificate is required from all visitors upon arrival--if proof is not produced, authorities will require visitors to take one locally
Vietnam
- Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, cholera
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers over one year old coming from infected areas
|
|
|
