Is Lombok malaria dangerous?
Sep 16th, 2009, 10:53 AM
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Is Lombok malaria dangerous?
Hello
I have booked a 10 day trip to Bali in February ( my second trip there) and booked 3 nights in Benoa, 3 in Ubud and was thinking of spending the other 3 nights in Lombok.
My adullt son, told me that Lombok was very dangerous in the wet season because of its malaria . It seems they have that cerebral malaria there.
Now I don't know what to do, if I should go or not. I am travelling with a friend who had cancer and maybe it is risky for her (and me too). Is it a malaria risk zone?
Please give me your advice
Thanks in advance
Teresa
I have booked a 10 day trip to Bali in February ( my second trip there) and booked 3 nights in Benoa, 3 in Ubud and was thinking of spending the other 3 nights in Lombok.
My adullt son, told me that Lombok was very dangerous in the wet season because of its malaria . It seems they have that cerebral malaria there.
Now I don't know what to do, if I should go or not. I am travelling with a friend who had cancer and maybe it is risky for her (and me too). Is it a malaria risk zone?
Please give me your advice
Thanks in advance
Teresa
Sep 16th, 2009, 11:27 AM
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Lombok is a malarial risk area. There are a number of types of malaria. Some types are more likely to develop into cerebral malaria than others but here is no such thing as cerebral malaria that is carried by mosquitos.
You should take the same precautions against malaria on Lombok as you would in any other malarial risk area: an effective repellant and anti-malarials. Consult with your own doctor or a travel med doc about the best anti-malarial for you. Having had cancer in and of itself does not make one at higher risk for malaria or malarial complications, nor does it mean that your friend cannot take anti-malarials. She should consult with her own doctor about this matter.
Read about malarial and anti-malarials on the cdc website:
wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/diseases.aspx#malaria
I've been to Lombok twice. It's a lovely place.
You should take the same precautions against malaria on Lombok as you would in any other malarial risk area: an effective repellant and anti-malarials. Consult with your own doctor or a travel med doc about the best anti-malarial for you. Having had cancer in and of itself does not make one at higher risk for malaria or malarial complications, nor does it mean that your friend cannot take anti-malarials. She should consult with her own doctor about this matter.
Read about malarial and anti-malarials on the cdc website:
wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/diseases.aspx#malaria
I've been to Lombok twice. It's a lovely place.
Sep 16th, 2009, 02:15 PM
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We have a glut of young Australians so we send them to Lombok in their thousands every year in the hope that a fair percentage of them will contract malaria and die.
These youths are too stupid to take anti-malarials - or, indeed, even understand what the word means. Too many syllables.
Despite mass holiday migrations over the last thirty years, I have to report, sadly, that not many of them caught malaria and died. Maybe one or two.
Neither will you Theresa.
You are running precisely the same risk in Lombok as you did on your last trip to Bali. There isn't a separate strain of killer Lombok mosquito.
These youths are too stupid to take anti-malarials - or, indeed, even understand what the word means. Too many syllables.
Despite mass holiday migrations over the last thirty years, I have to report, sadly, that not many of them caught malaria and died. Maybe one or two.
Neither will you Theresa.
You are running precisely the same risk in Lombok as you did on your last trip to Bali. There isn't a separate strain of killer Lombok mosquito.
Sep 16th, 2009, 03:01 PM
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Tere, The risk of contracting malaria -- especially with anti-malarials -- is very very low. The greater risk is actually dengue for which there is no preventative except avoidance.
To counter Dengue, use a good repellent DURING THE DAY and stay away from mosquito prone areas. Same is true of Bali.
In a healthy person dengue can be successfully treated, but your friend should discuss her own situation with her doctor.
All of the resorts spray aggressively (which is another issue) so the risk of exposure is minimized.
Dogster,
To counter Dengue, use a good repellent DURING THE DAY and stay away from mosquito prone areas. Same is true of Bali.
In a healthy person dengue can be successfully treated, but your friend should discuss her own situation with her doctor.
All of the resorts spray aggressively (which is another issue) so the risk of exposure is minimized.
Dogster,
Sep 16th, 2009, 03:11 PM
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There are four types of malaria: Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale,Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium falciparum,. Falciparum is the most life-threatening. I don't know which are prevalent in the area where you are traveling, but if you take anti-malarials, you should be fine. But don't kid yourself --- a young woman we know spent a year in Uganda, discontinued her anti-malarials for a few weeks, and got malaria, even with mosquito nets and permethrin treated clothing.
Do drugs. They work.
Do drugs. They work.
Sep 16th, 2009, 03:24 PM
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Well, thank you Kathie, for the correction - I never knew that. I'd always wondered why the 'Kill an Aussie Kid' campaign was sending 'em to Lombok. Although, these days, a quick walk along the Kokoda Track in P.N.G. seems to be the most effective.
But I divert.
Yup, teresa, just take drugs.
But only for malaria.
But I divert.
Yup, teresa, just take drugs.
But only for malaria.
Sep 18th, 2009, 11:06 AM
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Go here to find clothes that can help with the insect repellent requirements:
www.insectshield.com
Just bought some myself.
www.insectshield.com
Just bought some myself.
Sep 18th, 2009, 11:09 PM
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As I think Kathie has already pointed out it is ESSENTIAL to seek qulified medical advice on which drug to take. Malaria is resistant to different drugs in different parts of the world so it necessary to make sure you have the correct medication for that part of the world. It is not a case of taking any malaria pill.
Also, whilst I appreciate that travel insurance practice is vastly different in the US to here in the UK, your friend, if she has not already done so, should check that her travel policy covers here for this pre- existing condition. Most policies would not although there are specialist companies that will cover cancer.
Also, whilst I appreciate that travel insurance practice is vastly different in the US to here in the UK, your friend, if she has not already done so, should check that her travel policy covers here for this pre- existing condition. Most policies would not although there are specialist companies that will cover cancer.
