I am traveling to Phuket on my honeymoon in April. My resort was not damaged. My real concern is the health risks of this location. Are there concerns with potential cholera or malaria breakouts? Any news or info on this?

The concerns about disease breaking out in the tsunami-damages areas really don't apply so much to Phuket. The diseases they are concerned about are diseases of poor sanitation and contaminated drinking water. Phuket's infrastructure is pretty much intact. The areas with poor or no sanitation infrastructure (areas of Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India) are the places that may have to contend with outbreaks of disease.

You can read the info at the cdc website for general information on concerns about traveling to tsunami-affected areas. Basically, they recommend water precautions. In any case, do get your routine traveler's vaccinations: Hep A, typhoid, tetanus/diptheria and any other boosters you need. Phuket is not a malarial-risk area.

There is an oral vaccine available in some countries now, called Dukoral. It provides some protection against cholera, as well as traveller's tummy. Ask a travel doctor if it's available.

Hi,I live in Phuket and there dosn't appear to be any health risks,cleaning up is well underway,have a good honeymoon

Dukoral is not available in the US. I've not read any data that it is effective against cholera (cholera isn't really a risk for travelers anyway). It is effective only against gastro-intestinal problems related to e. coli contamination, which should not be an issue in Phuket.

I live in Canada, and have been given Dukoral by my travel medicine specialist. He has advised me that it does provide some protection against cholera (about 85% after the initial two doses, dropping to about 55% after two years), which is what the vaccine manufacturer's website also says. See also this notice from the British Columbia Ministry of Health:

http://www.bchealthguide.org/healthfiles/hfile41k.stm

Just because something isn't available in the US doesn't mean it doesn't work.

Although I don't think there is a malaria problem in Thailand, I believe there are dengue fever outbreaks in urban areas, which might include Phuket. There is no vaccine available - the only protection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Take very strong insect repellent with you.

Kate, thanks for the link. That is different data than the medical journal article I read, which suggested that the effectiveness you mention is for E. coli rather than for cholera.

My comment about it not being available in the US meant simply that - It is not available in the US. My comments on effectivness were related to the data I've read on the matter. (I have no illusions that because something isn't available in the US that it isn't effective)

Kathie : I'm here in Canada, leaving for Malaysia next month, and have been given Dukoral by the physician at our local health clinic. We have been told that it is effective against both cholera and traveller's diarhea. The literature that comes with it also confirms this which substantiates what Kate W said. Unfortunate you can't get it in the US but I suggested to another poster that they try getting it from a Canadian online pharmacy and she was successful in purchasing it.
We Canadians are a tad touchy about American comments on our health care given your presidents rather ignorant statements about the quality and safety of Canadian pharmacies.
Personally I would not leave home without taking Dukoral if I could get it. Someone else said that Phuket wasn't somewhere you could get travellers belly. Sure !
By April you should have no concerns about going to Phuket anyway.