You are right, John G., some people do get panicked at the thought of any disease they might catch. I'm an advocate for knowing what the risks are, taking appropriate precautions, but no panic. That's why I keep advocating that people talk with a travel med doc. A good travel med doc can help people assess their risks. For some people, a particular anti-malarial might be a problem, for others, it might be perfect. Jodo, you do need to talk with an expert. You say you are "allergic" to the anti-malarial - which one? What are your other health risks should you catch malaria? These are all questions for a travel med physician.

Dengue is a risk year-round.

Someone suggested doing more research on malaria risk in Cambodia. As you know, the malarial risk maps are drawn based on the repoprts of the local health authorities to the international health authorities (like WHO). The problem is that Cambodia, because its health care infrastructure is so poor has very poor data. While we know that malaria is endemic there, it is hard to know just what the risks are because of lack of reliable data.

Hi Kathie -- Actually, I hadn't really thought about how the malarial risk was assessed. So thank you for some new, interesting information.

Thank you Kathie, Sandi and Marilyn!
When I said that I had the malarone and hadn't come to a decision as to whether to take it or not, I know I have to take it before I leave for India (in my case.) With my schedule I should be able to give blood and still have plenty time to make my mind up. Meanwhile I have the malarone. Good luck to everyone.
Judy

You are right, Kathie. Know the risks. But, it just seems to me since 9/11 that Americans are alarmed by anything and everything. Here in Philadelphia, a local woman was on the news programme the other day complaining that the city was not sending workers to drain the "puddle" in her yard. She was convinced that if the puddle was not drained she was going to have mosquitos, thus West Nile Virus. How bloody naff is that??

I'd say it was ignorant rather than naff, Thin.

I just returned from Siem Reap five days ago and would like to share some experience with you.

I think the situation is not bad at all unless you're deep into the jungle. We have spent 2.5 days touring around Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat and the nearby temples like Ta Phrom as well as the floating village in Tonle Sap Lake. We have got a strong bug repellent with us (Ben's) and it's good enough.

Of course we should be prudent about all these health concerns but it is also important that we don't overrate the problems and create much fear unnecessarily.