Hi all, I was wondering whether anyone had any wisdom about malaria prevention in Vietnam? I'm going on Vietnam Highlights in September, which travels between Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh & stays mainly along the coast & Mekong Delta. Opinion is divided amongst my GP/practice nurse as to whether or not malaria tablets are needed in that area. Any thoughts???
Thanks, Kate
Malaria in Vietnam?
Re: Malaria in Vietnam?
Hello Kate
I see you're from Liverpool, like me (hooray). Anyway, have you considered visiting the International Travel Clinic at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in the city centre? I'm off to Peru at the end of the month, and got all my jabs, deet and anti-malarials from them.
The reason I mention it is twofold - first off, I don't know what your GP and practice staff are like, but I've had a couple of poor experiences with mine, so I wanted an expert opinion![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Second, and more importantly, when I was at the School of Tropical Medicine, the nurse asked me everywhere I was going in Peru, and referred to a map on her PC whilst I was doing it. It had the areas affected by malaria clearly marked, which strains are most common in the country, and even what anti-malarials might be best to take.
I'm sure they'd be able provide the same info for Vietnam, and will sell you the relevant anti-malarials whilst you're there.
Might be worth taking a look! Their website is: [url=http://www.liv.ac.uk/lstm/travel_health_services/travel_clinic/index.htm]http://www.liv.ac.uk/lstm/travel_health_services/travel_clinic/index.htm[/url]
Hope this helps
Dom
Re: Malaria in Vietnam?
Hi,
You might also want to take a look at the MASTA website. You have to make a small payment for a travel brief but they are detailed.
[url=http://www.masta-travel-health.com/]http://www.masta-travel-health.com/[/url]
Re: Malaria in Vietnam?
Hi Kate,
I've just had another look at the travel brief I got for my trip to Vietnam in November. Basically Malaria is present in most of the country except:
towns, the Red River Delta, the coastal plains between Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, and the Mekong River until your near to the Cambodian boarder. Apparently even in these areas there is still a small risk. I know I'm not taking any chances.
Obviously you need to get confirmation of the risk when you are going to be in Vietnam from someone who is qualified and it sounds like your lucky to have a source of expertise in Liverpool. I'll be going to my local MASTA clinic for my Jabs & Tabs.
Enjoy your trip !!!
Re: Malaria in Vietnam?
I've always gone to see the nurse at my local GP for travel advice. She's been great, researching the area I'm off to on the MASTA site before I turn up for the appointment. Worth a first try if you can't get to a specialist clinic. Obviously if you're not confident about the advice go to a specialist. However, they may send you to the clinic for specialist jabs etc.
Re: Malaria in Vietnam?
I have just been at the university hospital section for vaccinations for travels and they only recommended to take an "emergency case medicine" with me (Malarone) but which I should only take if I really get fever. The Mekong Delta seems to have Malaria around!
Hope this helps
cheers
Brigita