Juliewriter

We left Siem Reap on October 21st and the signs for Dengue Fever were still evident outside of the Swiss Children's Hospital. When I asked our guide about the threat he said, "not here". Of course, I didn't believe him but what could we do? We did not use insect repellent while we visited the jungle communities in Mount Mahendraparvata because we had not been briefed about doing so. I would definitely recommend all tourists wear insect repellent when visiting Cambodia and Viet Nam. Fortunately, we did not receive any bites probably because we traveled in the heat of the day but, who knows, maybe we were just plain lucky? Wonderful tours of Cambodia, Dengue Fever risk being a cautionary factor.

Kathie

Julie, did you do any research on health issues before you traveled? Preventing mosquito bites is perhaps the first thing listed by most travel medicine websites.

Dengue is a risk in most tropical areas - even Hawaii. Malaria is a risk in many tropical climes, and JE and other mosquito-borne illness can also be prevented by preventing mosquito bites.

If you were traveling with a group and expected the tour company to brief you, you should know that tour companies are notorious for not briefing people on health issues.

For future travel, make sure you do your research ahead of time. The two best travel med websites are www.cdc.gov/travel and the NHS website called fitfortravel.

Juliewriter

Dear Kathie, I am a nurse and we checked with the travel clinic with our managed care provider - no mention of infectious disease risk. Yes, we worked with a very experienced travel agent but no mention of infectious disease. I am pretty certain the trip to Mount Mahendraparvata would have been nixed by me if I had known of the risk - not only risk of mosquito but the area is still being cleared of land mines. Nonetheless, the risk from mosquito bites is far greater than finding an unsuspected land mine. It's just that, we didn't learn this until we were already there, walking in the jungle. Bottom line, we are home safe and sound with no ill effects, but great pictures and priceless memories. I do mourn for the children of Cambodia, however. They have little, if any, prospects for a secure futures, as their health and economic situations are bleak.

Juliewriter

Please read my posts. Unless you are truly interested in seeing the Cambodian jungle, you might look closely at any trip offered to Mount Mahendraparvata, especially if you are traveling in anything other than a jeep.

Kathie

Julie, I find it absolutely appalling that the travel clinic at your managed care provider didn't know or didn't mention either malaria or dengue for this area. Did they at least make sure you were up to date on tetanus, MMR, Hep A and typhoid? If I were you, I'd give your managed care company some feedback about this.

I am of the belief that as consumers we all have to practice "defensive medicine." We need to be well-informed even before we consult with a travel med professional. I always recommend that people print out the cdc recommendations before their appointment and go over them with the doc.

Travel agents and tour companies usually avoid talking about medical issues - they are afraid of scaring away business.

Re: your comments about Cambodian children - Are you aware of this? www.theplf.org
Many of us here have given of our time and money to this wonderful charity. The foundation was started by one of our Fodors posters,

lcuy

I'd ask for my money back if my travel health advisor didn't know about the dengue risk in Siem Reap. It should be well known.I was given the wrong anti-malarial, but thats because I (dumb!) didn't want to spend time on another appt, had my oncologist just rewrite an old prescription.

Ended up buying Doxie in Bangkok, but worried about its effectiveness. My daughter and I got into the habit of spraying ourselves with Picaridin every morning and evening, and 'touching up" with natrapel (picaridan) wipes mid-day. Between Malaria, Dengue, and just itchy old regular mossie bites, we didn't want any of them!

lcuy

Julie- will you be writing a report? I'd love to hear about your trip!