Malaria is very rare in Bali,
particularly in the southern tourist areas, but if you're heading
beyond the island take a prophylaxis. Mefloquine (Larium) is recommended
as it is effective against both Chloroquine and Fansidar-resistant
varieties which are present in Indonesia. Prescription runs from
one week before departure through four weeks after leaving the
infected area. Malaria symptoms are fever, chills and sweating,
headaches, and muscle aches.
The other mosquito concern is dengue fever, spread by the morning-biting
Aedes aegypti, Especially during the rainy season. The most effective
prevention is not getting bitten (there is no prophylaxis for
dengue). Dengue fever symptoms are headache, pain behind the eyes,
high fever, muscle and joint pains and rash appearing between
the third and fifth days of illness. Within days, the fever subsides
and recovery is seldom hampered with complications. The more serious
variant, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), which can be fatal, may
be the reaction of a secondary infection with remaining immunities
following a primary attack.
Cases of Japanese oncephaltis, a viral infection affecting the
brain, have occurred recently and are added cause to take protective
measures against mosquito bites.
Portable nets (kelambu) provide protection at night when sleeping;
you can buy these in most general stores for $5. They're a hassle
to put up in hotel rooms. Upon request, your room will be sprayed
for insects. Be sure this is done long before you are ready to
sleep if you want to avoid the smell and inhaling fumes. Aerosols
clear out insect intruders, but do not have residual effect. You
can also buy slow-burning mosquito coils (obat nyamuk bakar),
which last 6-8 hours. Light one before you go out for dinner to
drive the critters away. Double Rabbit is one of the more reliable
brands. (There are brands which do not contain pyrethrum, so are
ineffective. An electric (smokeless) version is also available.
Insect repellents and lotions are widely available and supermarkets
do sell OFF! Any chemical repellent container deet (diethyl toluamide)
should be applied with caution and never to the face. Application
to clothing can be more effective. A local non-chemical solution
is citronella oil (minyak gosok, cap tawon).
Aids & Hepatitis B
Surprise! Safe sex is also a good idea. Foreign experts project
the HIV~AIDS problem to be one of monumental proportions in Indonesia.
Documentation, awareness and education is just beginning. Another
area of concern is the Hepatitis B virus which affects liver function
and is only sometimes curable and can be fatal. The prevalence
of Hepatitis B in Indonesia is the basis for international concern
over the ominous possibilities for the spread of HIV virus, which
is passed on in the same ways. |
