Serious Warning for Travellers to Bali

by Barrie | July 3rd, 2011   Tweet

It seems that just about every day the government of Australia is issuing warnings about travel to Bali. Each one of course should be taken seriously. For about the umpteenth time the warning about Dengue Fever is one to take heed of. According to the article in the West Australian: Thousands of West Australians heading to Bali for the school holidays are being warned about potentially fatal infections, after an increase in dengue fever and people needing anti-rabies treatment.

The article then went on to express the Health Department’s views: The department said people who were bitten or scratched needed immediate medical treatment to clean the wound and often a course of injections when they returned home. Once symptoms developed, rabies was universally fatal.

Other related articles:

Staying Healthy in Bali
Bali Belly

Yet Another Warning for Travellers to Bali

by Barrie | June 13th, 2011   Tweet

It was only at the beginning of the year travellers were warned about a Legionnaires disease and now it has risen again with the Australian Government issuing a ‘Please be careful’ advice to all travellers to Bali. In the article that appeared in the West Australian newspaper on the weekend, several returning travellers to Australia have been hospitalised.

Legionnaires is a deadly disease and the warning should not be taken lightly by any tourist. Of course, and as always, the Bali Health Department is right on the ball with this matter. The disease is commonly contracted, or so thought, by unclean air-conditioning. Cooling towers in large buildings are a breeding ground. Read the article and take heed of the notice.

New Health Warning for Bali Travellers

by Barrie | January 14th, 2011   Tweet

Bali has had its fair share of disease outbreaks over the years and of late it has been Dengue Fever. Now the threat of Legionnaires’ disease is becoming a threat to travellers. This is a fatal disease and already six West Australians have come down with the illness.

Four Victorians have contracted the disease while holidaying in Bali in the past six months. In an article I was reading today, Legionnaires’ disease causes flu-like symptoms such as headaches, fevers, chills and muscle aches, followed by respiratory problems and pneumonia developed over three or four days.

Health authorities are warning travellers to Bali to be mindful of the potentially fatal Legionnaires’ disease. The Victorian Health Department issued the warning today, confirming four cases of the disease in the state. The article further explains that hose most at risk are aged over 50, smokers and anyone whose immune systems are suppressed by medications, those with kidney failure, cancer or diabetes. The bacteria typically contaminates air conditioning cooling towers, whirlpool spas and shower heads.

It will just be another issue for travellers to Bali they will have to deal with and no doubt the Health Department in Bali will be making a rapid response to this latest health warning.

Bali Travel Warning for Dengue Fever

by Barrie | December 18th, 2010   Tweet

The climate in Bali is one that is a natural breeding ground for germs. Add to that some of the local methods of washing and cooking and so its no wonder tourists get ill occasionally, and now, the Health Department in Australia has put out an alert regarding Dengue Fever and the growing number of people suffering the malady is increasing. In fact, there had been over 430 reports of dengue fever in West Australians this year and that is a threefold increase on last year.
Dengue Fever is transmitted by a virus carried by mosquitoes. Today I read about this potentially deadly disease and the symptoms can develop within three to 14 days of being bitten and include fever, vomiting, severe headaches, aching joints and muscles, rashes and pain behind the eyes.
There is no medication to stop or treat dengue fever. This mosquito tends to attack during the day and is slightly larger than the malaria carrying variety. In an article I read the Health Department suggested people take the following precautions to avoid being bitten by dengue fever infected mosquitoes:
Ensure accommodation is mosquito-proof. Use mosquito nets, insect sprays, mosquito coils or plug-in
insecticide mats in rooms
Wear long, loose-fitting, light-coloured protective clothing
Use tropical strength personal insect repellents
Ensure infants and children are adequately protected, including using infant-strength repellents
Most 5 star hotels smoke out their gardens every couple of days to keep mosquitoes away. One good piece of advice is to ensure you have travel insurance so if you do contract this disease, you ill be covered for treatment at one of the excellent facilities in Bali.