Laos forum

Japanese Encephalitis and Malria Meds Really Necessary for Laos and Cambodia??

sharoonie

backpacker
Posts: 14

Hi There,

I'll be in Laos for 3 weeks in December and will most likely do a hill tribe trek and visit a national park or two. Next, 1 week in Siem Reap and a couple of days in Battambang. I keep reading on the web that I need a Japanese Encephalitis vaccination and malaria pills before I go. I know most of you are probably not international medicine physicians, but if you are in a position to let me know how necessary those things are, I'd appreciate it!!

Thanks!

#1 Posted: 1/11/2011 - 10:46
Rufus

under-employed
Posts: 820
Located in:
Private message

I don't know where you read this, but it is not correct. You need neither.

#2 Posted: 1/11/2011 - 12:12
altmtl

adventurer
Posts: 460
Located in:

Private message

I'm not a medical expert but I'd pass on the Japanese Encephalitis. I stopped taking Malaria tabs when I last went to India. Hep A/B,Tetanus and Typhoid.
[color=rgb(51, 51, 51)]
[/color]
[color=rgb(51, 51, 51)]See:[/color]http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/laos.htm

#3 Posted: 1/11/2011 - 16:40

------------------------------
Facebook Group: South East Asia 2012 - Travel buddies and more...
altmtl

adventurer
Posts: 460
Located in:

Private message

Actually I think you have a better chance of being in a traffic accident or catching an STD than catching JE - lol

#4 Posted: 1/11/2011 - 22:34

------------------------------
Facebook Group: South East Asia 2012 - Travel buddies and more...
sharoonie

backpacker
Posts: 14

Thank you! Gotta love Travelfish. I also read Rabies vaccination required, too, but I refused to fall for that one...

#5 Posted: 1/11/2011 - 23:55
altmtl

adventurer
Posts: 460
Located in:

Private message

Just stay away from stray dogs & monkeys

#6 Posted: 2/11/2011 - 00:56

------------------------------
Facebook Group: South East Asia 2012 - Travel buddies and more...
tyler

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 114
Located in:
Private message

I have been to SEA for four months in each of the last 4 years and have never been vaccinated for rabies or JE. Both of these are quite expensive and require multiple shots (2 for JE and 3 for rabies).
I do take malaria meds when I travel just because I don't really know where I'll end up - I'm covered just in case. I met a traveler one year on the Bay Islands, Honduras (not a malaria zone) who had malaria.
It is not pretty and it does happen...I'm talking about malaria (but I think it also applies to the traffic accidents and STD's)
Enjoy...Asia!

#7 Posted: 2/11/2011 - 07:59