Malaria And Mozzies - Your Advise Please!

[kotitihaere]

We would like to know about Malaria as we are getting conflicting stories from malaria websites about where Malaria is. Some say Northern Thailand, some say parts of Thaialnd but not where. So could anyone tell us which places have Malaria. We will be travelling for about 4 months in and out Of Thailand, coming in from Malaysia (Jun 2007) and travelling north, then into Laos, back to Thailand, into Cambodia and back then into Vietnam (April 2008) and onwards.

As well as visiting the main areas, we will also be going off the beaten track and into rural areas.

What do the locals do to combat it? Do they take the drugs or do they avoid the mozzies?

In NZ, where we are from we can get clouds of mozzies (not malaria ones though) and one of the ways we avoid getting bitten by them is by eating garlic - they don't like the smell or taste - does anyone know if this would work on the Asia malaria mozzies? Or are there other foods that will keep them away?

Here also we can tell by the weather if the mozzies will be out as they don't come out all the time, is this the same as in Asia and if so, can someone tell us what weather and signs means Mozzies!

thank you for your time

[wilko]

We would like to know about Malaria as we are getting conflicting stories from malaria websites about where Malaria is. Some say Northern Thailand, some say parts of Thaialnd but not where. So could anyone tell us which places have Malaria. We will be travelling for about 4 months in and out Of Thailand, coming in from Malaysia (Jun 2007) and travelling north, then into Laos, back to Thailand, into Cambodia and back then into Vietnam (April 2008) and onwards.

As well as visiting the main areas, we will also be going off the beaten track and into rural areas.

What do the locals do to combat it? Do they take the drugs or do they avoid the mozzies?

In NZ, where we are from we can get clouds of mozzies (not malaria ones though) and one of the ways we avoid getting bitten by them is by eating garlic - they don't like the smell or taste - does anyone know if this would work on the Asia malaria mozzies? Or are there other foods that will keep them away?

Here also we can tell by the weather if the mozzies will be out as they don't come out all the time, is this the same as in Asia and if so, can someone tell us what weather and signs means Mozzies!

thank you for your time

Most of Thailand is low risk. The problem is that many malarial prophylactics have unpleasant side effects. Most people I know who live here don't use anything like that.

However you can do a lot to avoid being bitten.

Wear light long sleeved/legged clothing in the morning and evenings. Use coils, sprays (DEET) and even nets in the wild and you should be OK.

Bring those lovely Aussie sandalwood jossticks if you can get them....I haven't seen them over here yet!

Mozzies react to silhouettes and CO2 (they can't actually see or smell), so anything that stops you looking and smelling like a big, dark sweaty buffalo should work

Edited September 29, 2006 by wilko

[leisurely]

If it were me and I had been recommended to take prophylaxis for other countries I would just carry on taking it in Thailand, it seems daft to start a week or month before your journey, then stop then start...........we do not take anything, just a small smear of Jaico and Johnsons for the little girls :, we are seldom bitten thank goodness. As for the garlic, I eat it every day and still get the occasional nibble..

[Nikkijah]

You should really visit your doctor, (s)he should have the most up to date info on malarial areas in Asia

Many people here can offer you their personal advice but it's just that - personal.

Everybody reacts differently to mozzies, they'll chase me around the garden but leave my partner alone sitting there smirking

Obviously mornings and evenings are the worst times to be out - probably just like in NZ? - but in reality, mozzies are around all the time if you are in the right(or wrong) place. Sure, light coloured shirts work, DEET is hard but effective, anti-malarial medicines can be pretty hard on the body and apparently it's harder to shake off malaria if you are already taking these medicines - this is why it is so important that you visit your doctor, he can dispell these myths or confirm them.

Good luck!

[bina]

the CDC says : no phrophylatics for thai mossies... escept for doxcinline (sp) which for long term is not healty (its tetracycline deriv)... just avoidance....

my main concern w/the typhoon rains etc is in after the rains and before things have dried up some what about the dengue fever mosquito ???

[wilko]

the CDC says : no phrophylatics for thai mossies... escept for doxcinline (sp) which for long term is not healty (its tetracycline deriv)... just avoidance....

my main concern w/the typhoon rains etc is in after the rains and before things have dried up some what about the dengue fever mosquito ???

There's nothing you can do about dengue, except don't get bitten.

I have one friend who caught it in Pattaya. The aedes mosqito likes urban environments - old tyres, flower pots etc.....

The govt don't seem to have current stats for it at the moment, but concerns don't seem that high this year.

As previous posters have said the best thing to do is o see a doctor, but one who KNOWS tropical deseases etc, not one who just guesses. Years ago back in UK we had 2 doctore at Uni who specialised in tropical deseases as so many students were travelling abroad. My local GP knew sweet F.A.!