dmorus
Registered
My husband and I are considering going to Raja Ampat for a week. Has anyone here gone through the malaria precautions? How involved is it? Was it worht it? I heard that some people get pretty sick from it.
Malaria precautions
- Thread starter dmorus
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AlanWald
Contributor
There are several choices for antimalarials. Consult with your doctor and discuss side effects of each related to diving (specifically Mefloquine and its side effects that are similar to decompression illness symptoms). Also ask about vaccinations. Make sure your tetanus is up to date. Typhoid and Hepatitis A and B vaccinations should be discussed.
Some of these drugs should not be taken by children or pregnant women
There is plenty of Malaria in Indonesia. Consult with your dive operator as to the risk in your area and what their experience has been.
The US Gov't CDC web site is an excellent resource
Chapter 4 - Malaria - Yellow Book | CDC Travelers' Health
CDC - Malaria
About Anti-malarial drugs
Diseases: Malaria: Prescription Drugs, Public Info | CDC Travelers' Health
Antimalarial Drug Information
Travelers to areas with malaria risk in Africa, South America, the Indian Subcontinent, Tajikistan, Asia, and the South Pacific should take one of the following antimalarial drugs (listed alphabetically):
* atovaquone/proguanil (brand name is Malarone)
* doxycycline (one of the tetracyclines, not good for young children, increases sensitivity to the sun
* mefloquine (the brand name is Lariam - side effects may mimic decompression illness)
* primaquine (in special circumstances).
Note: Chloroquine is NOT an effective antimalarial drug in Indonesia and should not be taken to prevent malaria in this region.
For general information on health for the traveler to Indonesia and vaccine recommendations
Health Information for Indonesia | CDC Travelers' Health
Also consider an overall longer trip (e.g some fly via Manado and spend time at Lembeh Straits or in Bali if you are coming that way). Depending on where you start just getting to/from Manado is 36 to 48 hours plus you will most likely have an overnight , check the schedule and then the flight to Sorong. You could spend almost six days traveling. You also might want to try to arrive a day in advance in Sorong just in case there is a problem with your flight.Either way, it will provide you with a rest day so you are fresh when you do your actual diving. Consult your dive operation for their recommendations.
Some of these drugs should not be taken by children or pregnant women
There is plenty of Malaria in Indonesia. Consult with your dive operator as to the risk in your area and what their experience has been.
The US Gov't CDC web site is an excellent resource
Chapter 4 - Malaria - Yellow Book | CDC Travelers' Health
CDC - Malaria
About Anti-malarial drugs
Diseases: Malaria: Prescription Drugs, Public Info | CDC Travelers' Health
Antimalarial Drug Information
Travelers to areas with malaria risk in Africa, South America, the Indian Subcontinent, Tajikistan, Asia, and the South Pacific should take one of the following antimalarial drugs (listed alphabetically):
* atovaquone/proguanil (brand name is Malarone)
* doxycycline (one of the tetracyclines, not good for young children, increases sensitivity to the sun
* mefloquine (the brand name is Lariam - side effects may mimic decompression illness)
* primaquine (in special circumstances).
Note: Chloroquine is NOT an effective antimalarial drug in Indonesia and should not be taken to prevent malaria in this region.
For general information on health for the traveler to Indonesia and vaccine recommendations
Health Information for Indonesia | CDC Travelers' Health
Also consider an overall longer trip (e.g some fly via Manado and spend time at Lembeh Straits or in Bali if you are coming that way). Depending on where you start just getting to/from Manado is 36 to 48 hours plus you will most likely have an overnight , check the schedule and then the flight to Sorong. You could spend almost six days traveling. You also might want to try to arrive a day in advance in Sorong just in case there is a problem with your flight.Either way, it will provide you with a rest day so you are fresh when you do your actual diving. Consult your dive operation for their recommendations.
It's definitely worth it since malaria is endemic in Papua, the kind that is usually called tropical malaria (P. Falciparum) which is the most dangerous of the four types of malaria.
First choice in Papua would be Malarone or Lariam though I would not recommend Lariam if you have never taken it before since the potential side effects can be similar to being narced. Malarone has hardly any side effects, is pretty expensive though and needs to be taken every day.
Travelnsj
Contributor
I was just in Papua (Sorido Resort) a couple of weeks ago. Prior to going I contacted the CDC. They gave me 3 choices. Doxycycline, Malarone or Lariam. I have heard the horror stories of Lariam....pass on that....Did not know how I would react to Malarone so i took Doxy and yes I knew of the warning of being in the sun. I started Doxy in Lembeh three days before I headed to Raja. The weather was slightly overcast in Papua and I always stayed out of the sun. The fourth day in Papua I became very ill just throwing up. Max (owner) came into my room in the late afternoon and told me it was Sun poisioning and I would be OK tomorrow. I explained I have dove in Palau, Wakatobi, Galapagos etc all close to the equator!.....He said "you are 40 km from the eq here...It is different!" He was right I was OK the next day...I quit taking Doxy....Max told me how I would feel if I caught Malaria.....and go to the Doctor....I've been OK. I would suggest try Malarone!....best prevention...cover yourself in the AM and PM with Deet!
Live_in_Sin
Contributor
I did LOB for one week at R4. but didn't get any jab nor take medication. On the boat, didn't see any mosquitos , even a fly!!!!
However, when we landed on some islands. I put some mosquito repellent.
Trying not to be bitten by mossies is more important in SE Asia. There's higher possibility to get Dengue fever than Malaria, which there's no drug against it. you may get it even in Singapore!!! (I did) so.... make sure to bring mosquito repellent and apply it when you are on land.
However, when we landed on some islands. I put some mosquito repellent.
Trying not to be bitten by mossies is more important in SE Asia. There's higher possibility to get Dengue fever than Malaria, which there's no drug against it. you may get it even in Singapore!!! (I did) so.... make sure to bring mosquito repellent and apply it when you are on land.
or you get dengue and they fly you to Singapore.. 
Live_in_Sin
Contributor
from Bali in a wheel chair!!! that was cute!
but incubation period is 14 days so by the time they feel fever & pain, already back home I guess....
but incubation period is 14 days so by the time they feel fever & pain, already back home I guess....
where is that nurse uniform btw?
reefman
Contributor
spent 2 weeks in raja ampat last feburary and took malarone(1 tablet daily) with no side effects whatsoever. malarone was the drug of choice with our entire liveaboard group(18)(no side effects from any of them as well). i also spent a week in bali afterwards, and promptly stopped the daily dosage after a few days,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
reefman
key largo
reefman
key largo
reubencahn
Contributor
I, and my whole family, have taken malarone on trips over the past five years with never any negative side effects. I'm allergic to doxycycline so it was never a choice.
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