Malaria Situation After The Flooding?

[wojtek]

Hello guys

I will be spending December backpacking around Thailand with my partner. We were wondering about the current malaria situation and possible increase of the hordes of nasty mosquitos after the floods. Could someone please comment? We're not sure if taking the tablets is a good idea. Thanks!

Regards

Wojtek

Edited November 19, 2011 by wojtek

[bartender100]

Who knows? take precautions

[wojtek]

Who knows? take precautions

Locals may know. Thanks

[Zoom3]

People who holiday in Thailand should take anti malaria tablets without a doubt. Ask your doctor if you want professional advice.

[craigt3365]

I'm no expert, but I'll give you my thoughts. First, Thailand does have malaria. Some areas are worse than others, like near the borders, and a few off shore islands. I know few people who take meds for this, but people do get it. So it's up to you whether you feel better with meds or not. Most people I know take other precautions. Cover up at dusk and use spray.

Your bigger concern should be dengue. It's a big problem here and other than covering up and using spray, nothing you can do about it.

The flooding is centered around Central Thailand and Bangkok. The rest of the country is fine. Central Thailand would include Ayutthaya, which got hit hard...and probably Sukhothai. Central Bangkok is pretty much OK. Areas near the river got flooded, and parts north, west and east of the central business district. Clean up in those areas is going to take quite a bit of time.

Hope this helps...if you are really concerned about this, I would try this over in the health forum. I can move this topic if you desire.

Craig

[Nisa]

There really isn't malaria in Bangkok though it does exist near some of the boarders. I'm really not sure why flooding would cause malaria in area like Bangkok as it is spread by an infected person being bit by a mosquito and then the mosquito biting somebody else and so on. Flooding will cause more mosquitoes but unless they bite somebody with malaria before biting you there is not much to worry about.

But there is plenty of mosquito lotions and spray available at every 711 and I would recommend using it for no other reason than it sucks getting bit by mosqitoes in a new region because your body hasn't built a tolerance to them.

Edited November 20, 2011 by Nisa

[craigt3365]

There really isn't malaria in Bangkok though it does exist near some of the boarders. I'm really not sure why flooding would cause malaria in area like Bangkok as it is spread by an infected person being bit by a mosquito and then the mosquito biting somebody else and so on. Flooding will cause more mosquitoes but unless they bite somebody with malaria before biting you there is not much to worry about.

But there is plenty of mosquito lotions and spray available at every 711 and I would recommend using it for no other reason than it sucks getting bit by mosqitoes in a new region because your body hasn't built a tolerance to them.

Malaria is in Bangkok, at least according to this article:

http://www.stickmanbangkok.com/Reader/reader2203.htm

Though extremely rare.... :jap:

[Nisa]

There really isn't malaria in Bangkok though it does exist near some of the boarders. I'm really not sure why flooding would cause malaria in area like Bangkok as it is spread by an infected person being bit by a mosquito and then the mosquito biting somebody else and so on. Flooding will cause more mosquitoes but unless they bite somebody with malaria before biting you there is not much to worry about.

But there is plenty of mosquito lotions and spray available at every 711 and I would recommend using it for no other reason than it sucks getting bit by mosqitoes in a new region because your body hasn't built a tolerance to them.

Malaria is in Bangkok, at least according to this article:

http://www.stickmanb.../reader2203.htm

Though extremely rare.... :jap:

No doubt it can occur in Bangkok as it does in the US too. However, I have a feeling he got it elsewhere as he made a boarder run approx. 45-days prior to his going to the doctor. My guess is he probably didn't go to the doctor immediately either. If the doctor really asked if he had traveled within 30-days then this would be a mistake. The average onset from being bit is 9 to 40 days but could be longer (months) or shorter.

Bottom line is I don't like the thought of mosquitoes sucking on somebody else's blood before mine. Although not as bad, it seems close to sharing a needle with somebody in my mind. I always use repellent when I am outside around sunrise or sunset.

[craigt3365]

I think dengue is the big problem here...I know quite a few people who have gotten it...even here in Pattaya!

[Nisa]

I think dengue is the big problem here...I know quite a few people who have gotten it...even here in Pattaya!

OMG, I decided to see what other illnesses can be transmitted by mosquitoes and was shocked to learn that elephantiasis is one of them. After reading about your scrotum swelling to the size of a basketball, I didn't want to read much more but to the OP ... I think you don't have to worry about this in Thailand too much as I believe it is most prevalent in some African countries.

[WarpSpeed]

There really isn't malaria in Bangkok though it does exist near some of the boarders. I'm really not sure why flooding would cause malaria in area like Bangkok as it is spread by an infected person being bit by a mosquito and then the mosquito biting somebody else and so on. Flooding will cause more mosquitoes but unless they bite somebody with malaria before biting you there is not much to worry about.

But there is plenty of mosquito lotions and spray available at every 711 and I would recommend using it for no other reason than it sucks getting bit by mosqitoes in a new region because your body hasn't built a tolerance to them.

Malaria is in Bangkok, at least according to this article:

http://www.stickmanbangkok.com/Reader/reader2203.htm

Though extremely rare.... :jap:

Right and rarity decreases with the increase in mossie's and exposure to dirty (read stagnant and polluted water) and I can assure you from first hand experience that the mossie population in flooded areas is already out of control by multiples over the previous years.. All water borne and mossie spread diseases are a real concern and not to be taken lightly by educated people in the flooded areas..

The government needs to get ahead of this pending post flood disaster potential by beginning a regular eradication spraying right now by boat..

[wojtek]

Hope this helps...if you are really concerned about this, I would try this over in the health forum. I can move this topic if you desire.

Thanks Craig and everyone.

Craig - could you please move the post to the health forum? I am still in two minds about taking the tablets, they're apparently making a bit of mess in the system... Thanks!

[chiangmaicharlies]

People who holiday in Thailand should take anti malaria tablets without a doubt. Ask your doctor if you want professional advice.

Quite disagree. Taking anti malaria tablets carry many side effects and not always effective. Wrap up and use deet.

[chiangmaicharlies]

Taking the tablets (and deciding which one!) is always secondary to wrapping up and using deet.

[craigt3365]

Let's move this over to the Health, Body and Medicine forum.

For sure the meds have side effects, one is particularly harmful to the liver...another has some really interesting side effect. And if I am not mistaken, some strains of malaria are resistant to some of the meds? I sticking with tonic water (it has quinine, right? And is great with gin or vodka ).

Topic Moved.

[wojtek]

Hey guys. After reading quite a lot on the health forum and in the Internet, I came to the conclusion that - unless we would be to stay in the jungle (and we will not) - then we don't really need anti-malaria tablets. Also, there doesn't seem to be any greater risk of malaria just because of the flooding. Hence, all we're going to do is to be extra careful about the bites and that's it. I guess it's the common sense approach. Should work!

Deet it is, and good clothes plus a machinegun against the bloodsuckers ;D

Thanks everyone for the contribution.

[Nisa]

Hey guys. After reading quite a lot on the health forum and in the Internet, I came to the conclusion that - unless we would be to stay in the jungle (and we will not) - then we don't really need anti-malaria tablets. Also, there doesn't seem to be any greater risk of malaria just because of the flooding. Hence, all we're going to do is to be extra careful about the bites and that's it. I guess it's the common sense approach. Should work!

Deet it is, and good clothes plus a machinegun against the bloodsuckers ;D

Thanks everyone for the contribution.

There is a lotion they sell at the 711 that works just the same as those harsh sprays but it actually smells good and doesn''t irritate the skin (at least mine).

[BKKdreaming]

is there anything to put in hotel room to kill the Mozzies ?

I hate to spray when I am in the room, and I cannot open the windows to air out the room after spraying because thats where the Mozzies are !

But sometimes the maids open the windows when they clean-up , Mozzies come in and a few times they forgot and left the windows open all day,

If there are mosquitos in the room I am going to get it !

Thanks

BK

[Jimi007]

I think dengue is the big problem here...I know quite a few people who have gotten it...even here in Pattaya!

Hey guys. After reading quite a lot on the health forum and in the Internet, I came to the conclusion that - unless we would be to stay in the jungle (and we will not) - then we don't really need anti-malaria tablets. Also, there doesn't seem to be any greater risk of malaria just because of the flooding. Hence, all we're going to do is to be extra careful about the bites and that's it. I guess it's the common sense approach. Should work!

Deet it is, and good clothes plus a machinegun against the bloodsuckers ;D

Thanks everyone for the contribution.

I would be much more worried about dengue fever! I had chickungunya which is another mosquito bourn virus which I finally am getting over after more than two years! The same type of mosquito spreads both viruses and is mostly a day time biter. See link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aedes

Edited November 20, 2011 by Jimi007

[scotbeve]

Who knows? take precautions

Locals may know. Thanks

There will be (obviously) plenty of mosquitos about. There are several articles on here about post-flood diseases. Use the search above and you should find them. Buy natural mosquito repellant in Thailand - it works well and smells good.

[Sheryl]

A large amount of misinformation in the earlier posts on this thread, and the map shown in post 6 and subsequently quoted is completely inaccurate.

See this thread

Malaria transmission in both Thailand and Cambodia is limited to heavily forested areas...there is none in towns and villages. You'd have to camp out at night in the jungle to get it.

Dengue and Chikungunya on the other hand is everywhere.

As the above post mentions, there are natural repellents (citrus based) for sale in Thailand for those who want to avoid Deet and the like.

[Soutpeel]

As the above post mentions, there are natural repellents (citrus based) for sale in Thailand for those who want to avoid Deet and the like.

and of course massive amounts of gin & tonic help as well...