Yellow Fever A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age, but only if, arriving within 6 days from infected areas. Those countries formerly classified as endemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) are considered by the Malaysian authorities to be infected areas.
Recommended Vaccinations Immunisation against the following is recommended: Tetanus TB Diphtheria hepatitis A and E
Cholera Following WHO guidelines, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Malaysia, although it may be required if travelling on to a cholera-infected country. However, outbreaks have been reported in Malaysia in the recent past.
Typhoid Typhoid risk exists, especially in rural areas.
Malaria Malaria risk exists only in certain isolated inland regions, like Sabah and Sarawak.
You should seek medical advice, before you travel, on the right medication and dosage for you. If you do contract malaria, be sure to be re-tested for malaria once you return home as you can harbour malaria parasites in your body even if you are symptom free.
Urban and coastal areas are safe. However, there is a risk in Sabah If you are travelling in endemic areas it is extremely important to avoid mosquito bites and to take tablets to prevent this disease. Symptoms range from fever, chills and sweating, headache, diarrhoea and abdominal pains to a vague feeling of ill-health.
Seek medical help immediately if malaria is suspected. Without treatment malaria can rapidly become more serious and can be fatal.
If medical care is not available, malaria tablets can be used for treatment.
Travellers are advised to prevent mosquito bites at all times: 1. Wear light-coloured clothing. 2. Wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts. 3. Use mosquito repellents containing DEET. Prolonged overuse of DEET may be harmful, especially to children, but its use is considered preferable to being bitten by disease-transmitting mosquitoes.
4. Avoid perfumes and aftershave. 5. Use a mosquito net impregnated with mosquito repellent (permethrin).
Other risks Hepatitis A, C and E occur and hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Epidemics of dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis can occur in both urban and rural areas. In 2002, the Malaysian Health Ministry declared a nationwide meningococcal meningitis alert after three people died from the disease.
Rabies There may be some risk of rabies in certain areas.
For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.
Rabies is a fatal viral infection. Many animals can be infected (for example: dogs, cats, bats and monkeys) and it’s their saliva that is infectious. Any bite, scratch or even lick from a warm-blooded, furry animal should be cleaned immediately and thoroughly. Scrub with soap and running water, and then apply alcohol or iodine solution. Medical help should be sought promptly to receive a course of injections to prevent the onset of symptoms and death.
Food & Drink All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised.
Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is recommended, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk.
Eat only well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk.
Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Medical Care Travel health insurance is recommended.
Hospitals are found in all the main cities and can deal with all major needs. Private hospitals, some managed and staffed by British-trained doctors and nurses, provide a high standard of medical care and include Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur and Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital, Selangor. Smaller towns and rural areas have private clinics.Private clinic, (found even in the smallest towns) costs around RM30, excluding medication. The levels of hygiene and medical care in Malaysia are higher than in much of the rest of Southeast Asia.Most staff speak good English and use up-to-date techniques.
Pharmacy Opening hours are usually Mon-Sat 9.30am-7pm; pharmacies in shopping malls stay open later.
Emergencies In an emergency, dial 999. The emergency department of each town’s General Hospital will see foreigners for the token fee of RM1, though costs rise rapidly if continued overnight stays are necessary.
