health in Phuket area

[stufulton]

just a quick check cos the foreign office always report the worst case scenarios:
- what are the medicinal requirements for the Phuket area?
- do you really need malaria medication there, in summer?
- anything else i should know about?

cheers guys

 

[ssra30]

Nothing specifically for Phuket. It is not in the Malaria infested area. Generally Malaria is more common along Thai-Cambodia border and some western provinces by Myanmar border. If you plan to do extensive travelling in SE Asia, generally I would recommend hepatitis A and B vaccines which needed to be started 6 months before your travel.
Hemorrhagic fever is endemic in Thailand, generally it is more common during the monsoon season (May to October) so you want to be careful about mosquito especially during the day. There is no vacccine for hemorrhagic fever however.

 

[Batfish]

This post finally bumped me into action.

I have put a page on our web site about diving health and with some links to useful web sites including info on health services in Phuket. I will add more later probably. Malaria is not here, but be aware that Dengue fever can be contracted here from mosquitos. I had a mild case myself 18 months ago.

In Phuket, you're in the right place if you choose to get sick. There are several excellent International hospitals - just make sure you have some travel insurance!

For dive accidents there are now 3 chambers and companies such as ours have insurance covering all customers. Still, if you have something like DAN insurance, that is a very good idea. DAN Europe insurance also covers medical (non diving) emergencies.

If anyone would liked details of the Bangkok Phuket Hospital services for divers, I can send you a PDF file.

 

[richdiver]

If you were looking forward to the chicken curries (like I was!), you'll be disappointed. The chicken disease that has killed several people in vietnam has spread to Thailand. Prob only a big issue in the Northern parts, but you can never be too careful!!

 

[Batfish]

Please don't start with the chicken stuff, PLEASE.

Last year SARS killed off tourism.

We do NOT need incorrect rumours about "bird flu"

It is safe to eat chicken. The disease can only be caught by close contact with live infected birds. Try this link from the BBC :

BBC News - Travel Advice

 

[richdiver]

Sorry - I have only the damn Australian media to thank for my information - which in itself is no excuse - I should know better!! Thanks for setting that straight for me - I can look forward to my chicken curries now!

 

[The Hamburger]

If nobody visits the chicken farms what will happen to Patong beach? fftopic:

only joking.