NeoPatrick in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos
Sep 17th, 2010, 05:15 PM
#44
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Quote Neopatrick: "I wonder if anyone who did get malaria would agree that one shouldn't take the anti-malaria drugs?"
I certainly agree with that, but the fact of the matter is that there are no recorded cases of short time tourists getting malaria. Locals, yes, especially in hill areas. There are plenty of cases of tourists getting dengue, however.
I certainly agree with that, but the fact of the matter is that there are no recorded cases of short time tourists getting malaria. Locals, yes, especially in hill areas. There are plenty of cases of tourists getting dengue, however.
Sep 17th, 2010, 11:15 PM
#46
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Sure, a Vientiane Times article about 2 weeks ago showing the breakdown of malaria and dengue throughout Laos this wet season specifically mentioned this, Kathie. Perhaps you could point us to evidence to the contrary if you doubt that source?
Sep 17th, 2010, 11:55 PM
#47
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I'm curious about how anyone can claim that no tourists have been infected. Malaria may not show up until the patient has returned home, in which case how would a hospital in Laos count that case? Also, many travelers visit several countries during their trip, making it impossible to determine which country they contracted malaria in. Since Laos certainly has malaria, what would prevent a tourist from getting it? Mosquitos can't discriminate between locals and tourists. And with more tourists venturing off the beaten path it seems irresponsible to advise against anti-malarial medication so broadly.
Patrick, this summer I got quite sick in Siem Reap with sore throat, fever, hacking cough, stuffy nose and upset stomach. I visited the hospital there and was told that they had been seeing a lot of that and it was likely due to air quality,with air full of particles from exhaust and burning, my riding a tuk tuk a lot, and bacteria getting trapped in my lungs/bronchi. I was not taking Malarone, but I have taken it before and never got a cough. Did get a headache and loss of appetite, but neither was troublesome enough to stop the Malarone.
Patrick, this summer I got quite sick in Siem Reap with sore throat, fever, hacking cough, stuffy nose and upset stomach. I visited the hospital there and was told that they had been seeing a lot of that and it was likely due to air quality,with air full of particles from exhaust and burning, my riding a tuk tuk a lot, and bacteria getting trapped in my lungs/bronchi. I was not taking Malarone, but I have taken it before and never got a cough. Did get a headache and loss of appetite, but neither was troublesome enough to stop the Malarone.
Sep 18th, 2010, 12:23 AM
#48
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I'm also curious about your statement about dengue being far mor common than malaria. The WHO says there are 96.9 cases of dengue per 100,000 people and 292 cases of malaria per 100,000. Malaria seems much more prevalent if you look at the numbers and anecdote.http://www.wpro.who.int/countries/20..._situation.htm
I searched the Vientiane Times for the article you referred to and couldn't find anything that said there were no cases of malaria in tourists. Perhaps you could post a link.
I searched the Vientiane Times for the article you referred to and couldn't find anything that said there were no cases of malaria in tourists. Perhaps you could post a link.
Sep 18th, 2010, 08:41 AM
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The only article I see is about dengue prevention, nothing in the last two weeks about malaria. Am I missing something Vientianeboy?
http://www.vientianetimes.com/Headlines.html
http://www.vientianetimes.com/Headlines.html
Sep 18th, 2010, 10:15 AM
#51
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Dengue is certainly a problem through out SE Asia. I have not looked at the data on that, but Kim cites a reliable source.
I've found lots of data on malaria incidence. Laos has made progress in the area of malaria (mostly through the use of insecticide-impregnanted bed nets), so the data I see indicates a decline in the number of reported cases of malaria per year.
www.globalhealthfacts.org cites 21,809 cases in 2006, this agrees with the WHO data for that year. In 2008, WHO reports 18,566 reported cases.
www.nationmaster.com ranks Laos as having the 38th highest incidence (number of cases per 100 people) of malaria in the world and gives the stat as 759 cases per 100,000 people. I'm guessing that must be older data than WHO's.
I have seen data on cases of malaria diagnosed in returning travelers by county (or countries visited) but cannot put my finger on that data right now. I will look for it when I have more time.
I've found lots of data on malaria incidence. Laos has made progress in the area of malaria (mostly through the use of insecticide-impregnanted bed nets), so the data I see indicates a decline in the number of reported cases of malaria per year.
www.globalhealthfacts.org cites 21,809 cases in 2006, this agrees with the WHO data for that year. In 2008, WHO reports 18,566 reported cases.
www.nationmaster.com ranks Laos as having the 38th highest incidence (number of cases per 100 people) of malaria in the world and gives the stat as 759 cases per 100,000 people. I'm guessing that must be older data than WHO's.
I have seen data on cases of malaria diagnosed in returning travelers by county (or countries visited) but cannot put my finger on that data right now. I will look for it when I have more time.
Sep 18th, 2010, 04:58 PM
#52
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Kathie, as I said, it was about 2 weeks ago, I don't keep old n/p just so I can cite an exact date, so accept it or not. Unless you subscribe to Vte Times on line you cannot see many articles anyway.Dengue is now a major source of concern, not just here in Laos, but throughout SEA. According to the medical staff here, it is the worst outbreak ever. Local authorities in the villages in Vientiane are going around and spraying, and this is the first time they have ever done this.
Sep 18th, 2010, 05:21 PM
#53
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By the way, I do agree with KimJapan about symptoms occuring when a traveller returns home. This year according to The Vt Times, no tourist has been admitted to hospital in Vienetiane with malaria. This is further backed up by anecdotal evidence from the class of medicos/nurses etc from various hospitals here to whom I teach English/.
There have been a small number of cases of Vientiane citizens contracting malaria this year, but this is nearly always dafter an extended visit to the family in remote areas.
The Mother-Child hospital, on the other hand, is absolutely full of infants who have contracted dengue. I know of at least 3 cases among acquaintance, and it is a major health issue now.
By the way, I am not downplaying the seriousness of malaria; both my parents contracted malaria after an extended visit to New Guinea many years ago. What I am saying is that prevention in terms of using a repellent, covering up at midday when the "tiger" mosquito is on the prowl and at night is more sensible than stuffing chemicals which may have very nasty side effects into your body. These chemicals do nothing to prevent dengue anyway.
There have been a small number of cases of Vientiane citizens contracting malaria this year, but this is nearly always dafter an extended visit to the family in remote areas.
The Mother-Child hospital, on the other hand, is absolutely full of infants who have contracted dengue. I know of at least 3 cases among acquaintance, and it is a major health issue now.
By the way, I am not downplaying the seriousness of malaria; both my parents contracted malaria after an extended visit to New Guinea many years ago. What I am saying is that prevention in terms of using a repellent, covering up at midday when the "tiger" mosquito is on the prowl and at night is more sensible than stuffing chemicals which may have very nasty side effects into your body. These chemicals do nothing to prevent dengue anyway.
Sep 18th, 2010, 05:36 PM
#54
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Kathie, one of these times when you are in BKK, you MUST meet Dr Jack, who specializes in strange jungle medicine. He is called in on some very strange cases in BKK, and can usually help diagnose diseases that other doctors don't catch. He is probably the most interesting person I know in BKK. I think you two could have a great conversation about meds/diseases.
Sep 18th, 2010, 11:44 PM
#55
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I'm glad to know that in Laos simply covering up (I assume everything from the tip of your nose to your fingers) will actually prevent a mosquito from biting. And the sound of mosquitos in Alaska laughing at my covering myself with Deet was almost deafening. Other places I've been in the world, they seem to find a way no matter how small the "option". All it takes is one mosquito bite, am I correct?
Sep 19th, 2010, 04:27 AM
#56
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Neo Patrick-When do you start your OAT tour of Vietnam? I am thinking of signing up for it (I know I can do it myself) and I wonder what you think of the hotels and guides. I need to make a decision in a week or so, so would appreciate your impressions if you have started that tour.
Sep 19th, 2010, 07:21 AM
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Funny you should ask. I arrived back in Bangkok today and am the Tawana Hotel, the first of the OAT tour and we fly tomorrow to Hanoi. I'll be sure to let you know. In fact, as soon as I finish this thread, I intend to start another one just for the OAT Vietnam tour.
When you say you know you can do it yourself, I was thinking I might have to do that when it looked like there might not be enough people for them to do mine. But they ended up with 14, more than they needed. And when I was looking at "doing it myself" there was no way I could begin to match it for the same price -- partly due to the no single supplement, which cuts all the hotel bills in half or even more from what I'd have had to pay booking them on my own.
When you say you know you can do it yourself, I was thinking I might have to do that when it looked like there might not be enough people for them to do mine. But they ended up with 14, more than they needed. And when I was looking at "doing it myself" there was no way I could begin to match it for the same price -- partly due to the no single supplement, which cuts all the hotel bills in half or even more from what I'd have had to pay booking them on my own.
Sep 19th, 2010, 08:44 AM
#58
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The "no single supplement" is not a draw for me because I am travelling with my DH. There won't be any cost saving for me to take the tour over the cost of DIY for both of us. I do not mind being with a group, unlike some others on this board, so it is just a matter of whether the tour guide and hotels are good. If they are not, then I will plan my own trip. I am happy to be able to have the benefit of your impressions before I make my decision.
Sep 19th, 2010, 10:11 AM
#60
Unfortunately, while the itinerary and hotels would probably (but not definitely) be the same, the guide might well not be. I hope NeoP is lucky, but my guide with OAT in Thailand was awful (and a friend who took the same tour more recently also had an awful guide).
