Is it worth getting this vaccination?
The nurse (when I was having Rabies) said it wasn't worth it unless I was going to be staying on a farm, near paddy fields, with lots of people in close contact. However, it is spread by mosquitoes during day time in those areas.
My itinerary in SE Asia takes in some inland areas in Cambodia, Laos, etc. but only on the usual tourist trail.
Reply to this I was just having this conversation with some flat mates. I did it and I would suggest for sure. Here's why. It is totaly rare, very little chance that you contract the disease. It is kinda of expensive, although the shots become much cheaper here in Asia. These are the only reasons not to get the vax. My side: (according LP Malaysia guide) " 1/3 of people who contract the disease WILL die from it. 1/3 of the people who contract the disease WILL have PERMENANT brain damage." Ok Ok...you know my bias (as we all one), sorry about the capitals but these are the facts.
I just think it would be terrible to come down with something like this knowing that it is preventive. I am assuming that you have a moderate amount of money (ie. getting these shots won't bankrupt you or your family), so to contract the disease full knowing you could have prevented it would be a shame. Not to scare you, but there are random little disease throughout that are very unlikely of catching but are potential life threating, some you cannot get vax for some you can. Increase the odds in your favor. Lets cross of Jap E as one of those that can happen. Like I said I really don't want to scare you, but be a scout about it : be prepared for the worst, expect the best.
P.S I like how the nurse said only if "with lots of people in close contact"....has she ever heard of Asia !!!!!! The whole place is people in close contact. Hope your travels go well and safe.
Reply to this The nurse was from China actually and has been to SE Asia so I'm more inclined to believe her than my local GP nurse 😊
I know where you're coming from with the better safe than sorry but also, if I'm not anywhere near paddy fields, is it worth it?
Are there any near the normal tourist routes in SE Asia?
Reply to this ????? I don't know, I think you and I have differing perspectives on the issue. I think you really need to adopt the better safe than sorry aspect. If someone came down with the disease and then they said "but I was no where near farm fields or patty fields".....what does that do for anyone???? especially the one the gets sick. Even if you could sue the nurse for poor info, is that going to bring back your life or brain capacity. Also, maybe you might want to go by some of these places of the beaten path. You never know (unless you are on a strick itinerary) where life takes you.
Talk to your love ones, I can't imagine one saying "don't worry about...it won't happen....save your money". Besides money.... what are the reasons you would not do it????
Reply to this Not that different, I will be taking anti malarials throughout my time in SE Asia even though they don't recommend that for cities and coastal regions in Vietnam.
It's more that for JE, the mosquitoes feed on pigs, birds, and that kind of thing near paddy fields/farms/watery areas (not coast).
Yes, I might want to go off the beaten path so is worth considering for that but am unlikely to be staying on a farm.
Will do some more research...
Some people don't take anti-malarials or even get Rabies vacc. - I would never do that.
Reply to this Having just come back from Vietnam I can't understand the discussion. Definately have the JE jab. I had it - it cost me about £120 in total. I went along the 'track less well trodden' rather than the total 'off the beaten track' and came across pigs, chickens, cows and all manner of other farm animals. If you are planning on staying only in the cities and not actually seeing the countries you are going to visit then no need to worry. But if you plan to actually get out there and enjoy the culture and the people then you have to realise how differently the people live. Homes aren't farms but many families do keep farm animals for food and dairy. And besides even catching local buses between places you will often find yourself sitting next to a crate of chickens or some other animals being transported.
Yes there are people who travel without taking anti-malarials but they are mainly staying in the coastal areas where the need is less.. but JE is far more likely to leave ou braindead if you catch it. I admit the chances are slim, but have to agree with the posts above.. if you caught it wouldn't you wish you'd spent £120 preventing it?
Reply to this It's not the farm animals so much as the being near paddy fields but yes, I might just get it.
Reply to this I think what the nurse told you is correct.
That vaccination really is only necessary for people who will be spending a lot of time in rural areas.
Dont over vaccinate. Vaccinations are not good for you. The reason for getting them is when the risk of getting a dangerous disease outweighs the negative effects the vaccinations have on your body.
Reply to this What about:
- Angkor Wat
- Mekong
- travelling in transport with animals (probably cheap transport)
?
Reply to this I have never traveled in any transport with farm animals in Asia even when it was the cheapest transport.
Are you sure you will be doing that.
Reply to this No, I'm not sure at all, just from reading things 😊
Are the typical tourist trail things near to paddy fields and that kind of thing or what about the forest area and Mekong Delta?
I'm sure I'm worrying too much but not easy to get a vaccination like that once I've started...
Reply to this I think you are worrying too much. This vaccination is only recommended for those who will have a lot of exposure to rural life. I dont think passing a couple of paddy fields is a lot of exposure. This disease is rare in tourists.
Reply to this Ok I thought I would leave this post to sort of settle itself but I just being talking to friends here in Malaysia. An Irish girl I've travelling with knoew someone first had who came down with Jap E in Bangkok....he was there for a while so I don't know about how dormant the disease is....BUT he has no morew short term memory...he basically called his family and told them not to come because he expected to die....didn't want them seeing the tragedy....this is not me embellishing the truth.... so whatever people....I wish everyone the best....but I think I've taken this discussion to one end of the extreme....in my opinion, there is no argument against vax...I asked my doc about a previous post about too much vax (unneccessary vax) he said just don't get too much done in one day.... why not be proactive...everyone in our Western culture is so retroactive....kinda frustrating....alright...hope you guess don't think i'm feuding over here b/c im not....just trying to help and you for sure know my bias and I will be honest about it....good like...probably wont hear from me on this thread unl;ess some really new development happens.....
Reply to this ohhh. truns out...his memory is still screwed but he made it home...sorry for the crap spelling....rushing my internet time here....so not the worst situation but he'll live ......is better than than being in the bottom 1/3
Reply to this Also, it's important to protect yourself from ANY mosquito and insect bites etc.
Few tips:
- have a mosquito plug in for night time when you are sleeping and net if possible
- have good strong insect repellent - one with at least 20%!D(MISSING)EET (active ingredient) not sure if it's available in SEA, so stock up back at home. And use it religiously. Morning, during the day, and then again at night, and sometimes even at 4am in the morning! You'll find most with sunscreen in them too which is handy
- DEET will also keep ticks and leeches off you - for when you are travelling when its been raining or in the bush - I've experienced this first hand! All the other 7 people got attacked by leeches, and I got to walk free, they didn't come near me
- Keep arms and legs covered with light cotton clothes.
A
😊
Reply to this It costs about £170 and chances are low but I don't know whether I will be in regions/paddyfields.
The nurse said it's a complex life cycle involving pigs, birds, and water so unlikely to happen unless you are staying with a family on a farm.
Cycling through or motorbiking rather than bussing might be slightly higher risk.
The transmission season appears to be May-October and I will be there November probably.
Only seems to be endemic in places like Chiang Mai.
Even if you get bitten, it's usually mild.
ABout 5 travellers have been infected since 1981.
On the cons:
20%!o(MISSING)f people develop some sort of reaction to the vaccine.
10%!h(MISSING)ave nausea, mild respiratory problems, etc.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Japanese-encephalitis/Pages/Questions.aspx?url=Pages/Questionstoask.aspx
They say dengue is actually more of a problem and there is no cure for that, but you just feel ill for a while.
Reply to this 
