Health risks

Indonesia is an independent republic consisting of more than 13,500 islands spread over 3,000 miles.

Ads

Indonesia's economy is developing, and tourist services are plentiful in the major tourist areas. East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia on August 30, 1999 and is currently under the authority of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET).

CRIME: Indonesia has a high crime rate. Credit card fraud is a growing problem. Minor crimes, such as pickpocketing and thefts, occur in popular tourist sites throughout the country.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: The general level of sanitation and health care in Indonesia is far below Western standards. Some level of routine medical care is available in all major cities, although most expatriates choose to leave the country for serious medical procedures. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to Singapore or Australia, the closest locations with acceptable medical care. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Arthropodborne diseases:

Dengue fever
Filariasis
Japanese enchephalitis
Malaria

We recommend:

Usage of long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects.
Usage og insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children. Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing.
Usage of a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin.
Staying and sleeping in air-conditioned houses.

Water- and foodborne diseases:

Amoebiasis
Cholera
ETEC (E.coli)
Giardiasis
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis E
Typhoid fever

Other diseases:

Hepatitis B
Rabies

Vaccinations recommended:

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG).
Hepatitis B or immune globulin.
Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
Typhoid vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within the last 10 years.
Japanese encephalitis, only if you plan to visit rural areas for 4 weeks or more.
Yellow fever, when entering from a yellow fever endemic region.

Stay healthy:

Wash hands often with soap and water.
Drink only boiled water, or water and carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans
Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it
Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.
Prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
Do not travel at night
Trafic accidents are frequent, be careful
Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
Use malaria prophylaxis except in Jakarta and popular turist destinations on Java, Bali in the form of chloroquine and proguanil. In Irian Jaya, mefloquine is recommended (chloroquine resistance)

Compulsory vaccinations: yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas.

Recommended immunisations: diphtheria, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, *Japanese B encephalitis, *malaria, polio, *TB, tetanus, typhoid * recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Risks: malaria exists all year throughout the country except in Jakarta Municipality, big cities and the main tourist resorts of Java and Bali. Rabies.

Blood transfusion & tissue transplantation risk according to UK BTS:

Malaria: Yes, All year in all areas / islands except Islands of Bali and Java and City of Jakarta
Risk also present in Lombok West Papua Island (formerly Irian Jaya Island) and province of Kalimantan (Borneo Island).
Maliaria Risk Category: C
Trypanasoma Cruzi Risk: No
Sub Saharan Africa: No
West Nile Virus Risk: No