Of all the countries in the Southeast Asian region,
Malaysia has among the highest health standards, and presents the least
potential risk to health.
With the exception of Yellow Fever, for those travelling
from an infected area, no vaccinations are required as a condition of entry to
Malaysia. However, the decision to avoid medical precautions should either be
based on medical advice from your practitioner, or personal acceptance of risk.
If planning to travel without medical protection, it
may also be prudent to check for pre-qualifying conditions with regard to
ignoring medical advice in your travel insurance policy.
Recommended vaccines are Tetanus, Hepatitis A and B,
Japanese encephalitis, Rabies and Typhoid, with a course of anti-malarials
also highly advised.
Providing visitors exercise good personal hygiene, there
are minimal risks from disease in Malaysia, but if you are intending to travel
well deep into the interior or off the beaten track, precautions against
malaria are vital.
As Dengue Fever and Japanese encephalitis are also borne
by mosquitoes, it is advised to use repellents and wear long sleeves and
trousers at vulnerable times and places.
Visitors should avoid drinking tap water, or water from
the wild, and should use only bottled water, even for brushing teeth. In common
with many other parts of the world, it pays to examine the bottle top seals of
bottled water to ensure these have not been re-filled by unscrupulous traders.
For those unfamiliar with travel in the planet’s tropical
regions, special attention should be given to the possibility of dehydration,
sunstroke and sunburn. Always drink plenty of water and wear a high factor
sunscreen and bear in mind that it is possible to suffer from considerable
sunburn even on completely overcast days, particularly in the first few days of
your trip.
Pharmacies in Malaysia are of a good standard, with
well-trained staff, but on the precautionary principal, if you rely on
particular medication or other health related products it is better to bring an
adequate supply with you when you travel.
If you are carrying prescribed medicines as part of your
normal healthcare, these should be clearly labelled. In particular, if your
self-medication requires the use of syringes, to avoid potentially serious
misunderstanding with foreign officials, it is recommended to obtain a letter
from your practitioner detailing their use in relation to your condition.
It is also recommended to have a dental check prior to
travelling to avoid the unforeseen spoiling your holiday.