From the architectural wonders of the Angkor Wat temple complex
to the white sand beaches of Sihanoukville, at the heart of Southeast Asia,
Cambodia has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, its affordable
travel deals making this exotic destination accessible to a wide range of
travelers. But exposure to such diverse
nature and geography involves some health risks as well, and travelers who are
thinking about a trip to Cambodia should be sure to consider the proper
vaccinations, antimalarial treatment, and other health precautions beforehand,
to ensure their trip is a safe and enjoyable one.
The Center for Disease Control recommends that travelers to
Cambodia be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B and get typhoid vaccination. Those
who plan to spend a lot of time participating in outdoor activities, including
hiking, cycling, or working with animals, should also obtain a rabies shot. And for travelers who plan to visit rural or
farming areas, or in periods of increased disease prevalence, the vaccine
against Japanese encephalitis is also recommended. Before any trip abroad, travelers should
check that their routine vaccinations against measles, mumps, rubella,
diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and polio are current. This is particularly true
with regard to the measles vaccine in Cambodia; while the measles is no longer
an active disease in the United States, recent cases have been reported in
Cambodia and across Southeast Asia, so have your physician check your
vaccination records to determine whether you need a booster shot for measles or
any of your other routine immunizations.
Remember, most vaccines take four to six weeks to travel through the
bloodstream and be fully effective, so plan ahead!
Malaria is present in most areas of Cambodia, excluding the temple
complex at Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, and Lake Tonle Sap, so if you plan to visit
an area in which you could be exposed, you should check with your family doctor about an antimalarial
drug regimen. It is important to share your specific travel itinerary with your
provider, as certain strains of malaria in Cambodia may be resistant to some
drugs. And, like the vaccinations, antimalarial drugs may need a few weeks to take effect, so be sure to book an
appointment with travel clinic in advance.
The CDC recommends procuring enough antimalarial drugs to
last your entire trip, as antimalarial drugs manufactured abroad are not measured
by FDA standards and may contain contaminants, produce dangerous side-effects,
or be altogether ineffective. The CDC
recommends avoiding foreign antimalarial drugs, particularly Halfan, unless you
have been diagnosed with malaria and have no other treatment options. The same holds true for any other routine
prescriptions you may need, as well as over-the-counter pain, anti-nausea, and
allergy medication; quality and availability may vary, particularly in rural
areas, so it’s best to pack what you need for your entire stay.
Other diseases present in Cambodia for which there are no
available vaccines include dengue, filariasis and plague, all of which are
transmitted by insect bite. The CDC suggests preventative measures like using
insect repellent, mosquito netting, and wearing long-sleeve clothing, to
protect against infection. Some cases of
avian flu have been reported in both birds and humans in Cambodia and around
Southeast Asia, so the CDC recommends avoiding contact with the local bird
population, including poultry farms and markets selling live birds. Waterborne illnesses such as schistosomiasis
and leptospirosis are also found in Cambodia.
Travelers can steer clear of these diseases by avoiding swimming in
fresh water, and using iodine tablets to purify untreated drinking water.
If you’re planning to travel and need information about Cambodia travel vaccinations in NYC or other treatments, consider making an appointment with a certified
professional at the Travel Clinic of New York. Travel clinic NYC offers all the convenience of a downtown NYC location, with evening and weekend
office hours during which you can meet with a travel health specialist who can
provide you with the vaccines, prescriptions and travel health advice you need
based on your personal itinerary.
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