I agree that malaria is nothing to 'worry' about in the Chiengmai
area....but, they do have a spcialised malaria hospital for a reason. The
same with leposy,they have specialised hospitals for a reason. Leprosy is
in the CM area and it can be acquired, but the chances are.....?
Far more danger from a motor vehical accident than from tainted
mosquitos/leporus contact etc.. However, a friend of mine did get the
Japanase Encephalitis
and came as close to dying as you can come.....his brain is still
'challenged'........but functional....Last winter a young boy,near our
village died of malaria.
Hmm, and then there was this other chap who........
....Ken
"Steve Kramer" wrote in message
news:42347B33.A3691E91@seatraveler.com...
>
>
> Deckard wrote:
> >
> > On Sat, 12 Mar 2005 20:30:14 +0700, Steve Kramer
> > wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >Not saying there is 'zero' malaria here in Chiang Mai, but during the
> > >past three+ years living here I haven't heard of anyone catching it in
> > >the Chiang Mai area. Perhaps there is greater incidence up along the
Lao
> > >border, but that's hundreds of kilometers from here.
> > >
> > >Dengue Fever is a much greater risk, as is Leptospirosis, but all three
> > >can be avoided with a good mosquito repellent. If they don't bite you,
> > >you can not catch the diseases. I'm outdoors almost every day in areas
> > >that are mosquito-prone ( wet rice paddies, jungle, etc.,) and have had
> > >no problems.
> > >
> > >You run a greater risk, statistically, from dying from the flu at home
> > >than you do of catching Malaria or Avian Flu in Chiang Mai.
>
>
> > Hi Steve,
> >
> > You are fully right.
> > There is also another nasty mosquito-borne disease in Northern
> > Thailand, Japanase Encephalitis:
> >
> > "For Thailand, the affected areas are mostly in the north
> > (hyperendemic) and lower in the south (sporadic/endemic). The
> > transmission season is May to October. There are annual outbreaks in
> > Chiang Mai Valley and sporadic cases in Bangkok suburbs."
>
> You're absolutely correct. I had forgotten about that one as I lived in
> Japan for 13 years and was vaccinated for it, as are all the school
> children and teachers.
>
> There is no vaccine for Dengue or Leptospirosis. At least with Lepto you
> can take some pain killers and docxycycline and it's over and done with
> in a few days. Dengue is a real pain in the butt... and everywhere else!
> 10 days worth of moaning and groaning! When I had it even my earlobes
> and eyelashes hurt!
>
> God bless strong DEET and mosquito nets!
>
> Steve Kramer
> "PhotoEnvisions" Freelance Photography
> Chiang Mai, Thailand
> http://www.photoenvisions.com
> --
> "The voyage of discovery lies not in seeking new horizons, but in seeing
> with new eyes." - Marcel Proust
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