We've been to Thailand and Bali often. There is no malaria problem in Bali
in the touristed areas - up in the hills in the west and north - yes! You're
very unlikely to be there.
Thailand - Most areas no problem. In the hills near the Myanmar (Burmese)
border - yes. Around Mae Hong Son, or the Golden Triangle area generally -
yes - if you go bush!
Prophylactic of choice is Doxycycline (Vibramyacin is a common brand). You
take 1x 100mg tablet daily (at about the same time each day) from day of
first exposure to risk - to 4 weeks after day of last exposure. About 3% of
people taking doxy suffer increased sensitivity to sunburn. Remedy -
sunscreen. There is a slightly increased propensity to vaginal thrush for
women (none of our family have ever suffered any of these side-effects!).
Generic doxy is available in pharmacies in Bangkok for a few cents per
tablet - without prescription! Vibramyacin costs a few cents more.
"Martin Pergler" wrote in message
news:dc3a5e20.0503111852.577ee8cd@posting.google.com...
> I'm taking my parents for 10 days to S.E. Asia in April, to Thailand
> (most likely Bangkok to Chiang Mai) and Bali. My mother visited a
> travel-specialized doctor in Canada and obtained HepA and typhoid
> vaccination (I'm sure a good thing) but also got a stern warning about
> malaria and avian flu supposedly in those areas, walking away with a
> prescription for malarone. Seems very strange to me, given all that I
> have read would indicate malaria risk is low on Bali and in Thailand
> except for border areas. Any comments from those in the know? When my
> mother expressed surprise, the doctor said the mosquitos were
> "particularly bad" at this time of year and malaria in the area was
> "becoming more prevalent".
>
> Thanks, Martin
> http://pergler.org/
>
> (BTW, I plan to book accomodation for 2 nights in Bali (Sanur?) and in
> Chiang Mai and then we'll take it how it goes to see something
> different. If someone wants to make suggestions for e.g. villa-type
> accomodation in scenic surroundings--even on the water--in these
> areas, will be appreciated.)
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