Laos and malaria right now

[billk]

I'm heading to Thailand in a few days and hoping to do a side trip to Laos this time. I have the right visa for a side trip but no malaria prophylactics. Does anyone know where I can find out where malaria is active in Laos (and Isaan for that matter) right now?

[David_Loves_Ubonwan]

Apart from Vientiane the whole of Laos is high risk for malaria. In Thailand it is only the the border areas that are high risk though when I'm in Isaan I don't take anything because of the side effects I get.

Laos malaria map.
Thailand malaria map.

David

[billk]

Thanks Khun David, that's very helpful. I might see if I can get an appointment at my GP tomorrow morning, otherwise I wouldn't be able to go to Laos without being worried the whole time.

I've never taken anti-malarials and am not particularly keen to. I've heard lots of horror stories about how rotten they make you feel.

[billyboy]

I do take Malaria tablets when i visit. I have had Chloraquin and Palladrin, both where horrendous. I have never had Larium. The ones i use are Doxycycline which are okay and not expensive. My doctor did give me a prescription the other year for a six week supply of tablets....the name of which i forget, but the price was outragiously expensive. I stick with Doxycycline now.

Enjoy your trip billk.

Billy.

[Khun Don]

Doxycycline or atovaquone/proguanil is the best for Laos.
Mosquitoes are showing resistance to Mefloquinine in Laos.
Larium is useless in Laos-and Thailand/Cambodia

Vientiane is clear of Malaria- everywhere else is not.
Prevention, of course is always better than getting bitten!

Watch the Doctors/(Expensive!) Tropical Health Clinics-they get this area confused-one tried to palm me off with Larium some years ago!

Have a nice side trip, Bill!

[yy]

Out with mozzies...

[yy]

Apart from Vientiane the whole of Laos is high risk for malaria.

David

... Does the rest of Laos include the Buddha Park and Vang Vieng?

[David_Loves_Ubonwan]

... Does the rest of Laos include the Buddha Park and Vang Vieng?

That I don't know, other than the map of Laos linked to above showing the Malaria risk areas (virtually the whole country.)

David