Vaccinations Against Rabies And Malaria ?

[koen31]

Hello all,

We are leaving in about a month for a cycle trip in North Thailand.

Our itinerary is roughly : starting in Nong Khai, following the Mekong, then to Sukhthai and Chiang Mai. From there we will vcycle to the Northern region, the golden triangle.

My questions :

- do you think we need vaccinations against rabies ? Is it necessary ?

- do you think we need also malaria pills ? There are mixed opinions about this.

Any advice is welcome !

Thanks,

Koen

[justsignedin]

Hello all,

We are leaving in about a month for a cycle trip in North Thailand.

Our itinerary is roughly : starting in Nong Khai, following the Mekong, then to Sukhthai and Chiang Mai. From there we will vcycle to the Northern region, the golden triangle.

My questions :

- do you think we need vaccinations against rabies ? Is it necessary ?

- do you think we need also malaria pills ? There are mixed opinions about this.

Any advice is welcome !

Thanks,

Koen

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was going to say no don't bother with the rabies jabs, but if you are cycling you might find a dog or two snapping round your ankles. At the very least i would get a tetanus injection.

As for malaria tablets i think you would be better off using a repellant. their ara quite often side effects with the tablets.

[Dragonman]

Hello all,

We are leaving in about a month for a cycle trip in North Thailand.

Our itinerary is roughly : starting in Nong Khai, following the Mekong, then to Sukhthai and Chiang Mai. From there we will vcycle to the Northern region, the golden triangle.

My questions :

- do you think we need vaccinations against rabies ? Is it necessary ?

- do you think we need also malaria pills ? There are mixed opinions about this.

Any advice is welcome !

Thanks,

Koen

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rabies vaccine not normally reccomended unless you intend having frequent contact with animals. For what you are going to do I would take anti malarial drugs, although they are not effective against some strains.

[justsignedin]

Hello all,

We are leaving in about a month for a cycle trip in North Thailand.

Our itinerary is roughly : starting in Nong Khai, following the Mekong, then to Sukhthai and Chiang Mai. From there we will vcycle to the Northern region, the golden triangle.

My questions :

- do you think we need vaccinations against rabies ? Is it necessary ?

- do you think we need also malaria pills ? There are mixed opinions about this.

Any advice is welcome !

Thanks,

Koen

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rabies:

There is a high incidence of dog rabies in Thailand, and about 60 cases of human rabies were reported in 2000. Dogs account for about 95% of rabid animals, cats about 3.5%. Cases in other mammals and wildlife have been reported (cattle, monkeys, gibbons, bears, civets, bats, and large rats). Rabid, stray dogs are common in Bangkok, as well as other urban and rural areas. Although rabies is rare among tourists—there is risk. No one should pet or pick up any stray animals. All children should be warned to avoid contact with unknown animals. Human diploid cell rabies vaccine is available, but is very expensive and no more effective than the newer “second generation” tissue culture vaccines. These include the Vero cell and purified chick and duck embryo cell vaccines. Human and equine rabies immune globulin (HRIG and ERIG) are manufactured by the Thai Red Cross in limited quantity for local use only. Since the European manufacturers of ERIG have ceased production, immune globulin for post-exposure treatment is in very short supply. Rabies pre-exposure vaccination is recommended for long-term residents, particularly children, and for travelers who plan to venture off the five-star hotel trail and expose themselves to the large stray dog population. Vaccination is strongly recommended for travelers who plan extensive touring to neighboring countries including India, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Vietnam, where tissue-culture vaccines, and particularly rabies immune globulin, may not be available. The State Department recommends vaccination for all expatriate corporate employees and their families, especially the children. A rabies clinic is operated by the Queen Saovabha Institute/Thai Red Cross Society Hospital in Bangkok.

Rabies vaccine not normally reccomended unless you intend having frequent contact with animals. For what you are going to do I would take anti malarial drugs, although they are not effective against some strains.

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[justsignedin]

http://www.traveldoctor.co.uk/malaria.htm

[mick2510]

No need for the Rabies vaccine, although I would also advise you update your Tetanus. The rabies shots can be administered after the bite. My daughter was bitten by a family dog about four years ago, three months course of about 8 injections administered as a precaution. The dog did not have rabies.