Malaria in Sabah

I will soon be spending 3 months in a rural area of Sabah (Malaysia-Borneo). I have seen this is a high risk area for malaria, but am unsure as to what precautions to take due to the length of my stay.

You should take malaria prophylaxis during your tsay, and you can chose between Malarone, Lariam or Doxycycline. They are equally effective in protecting you and Malarone has the least side effects but is the most expensive.



Kanchanaburi, Thailand

I am going to live in Kanchanaburi in Thailand for two months and I am getting mixed messages about whether or not I need to be on anti malaria drugs. I was wondering what you suggestion to me is, and If a person does contract malaria while in Thailand are they very good at treating it etc.

We do not recommend malaria prophylaxis. The risk of malaria in thailand is very low, so the risk of side effects from the drugs is much higher. the thais are good at diagnosing and treating malaria, so i would rely on an impregnated bed net and repellents.



Malaria in Sarawak

My wife and myself are going next month for a week in Sarawak Borneo And then a week in Penang, Could you please advise on anti malaria tablets required?

Coastal areas are regarded as low risk with no need for prophylaxis. In the areas towards Indonesian Borneo, you can chose between Lariam, Docycycline and Malarone. Malarone is effective with the fewest side effects.



Malaria in Kinabalu National Park

We are staying 3 nights in KL and then travelling to Kota Knabalu staying at Tanjung Aru Resort whilst there we plan to visit Kinabalu National Park, Sepilok OrangUtan Centre etc on day trips,we are very unsure if we need Malaria Tablets or not.

The risk of malaria in very low at the Penang peninsula and we do not recommend malaria tablets to any destination in this part of malaysia. The risk of malaria is simply much lower than the risk of side effects from the drug, but we still recommend use of repellents and impregnated bed nets at night.



Malaria in Malaysia

I will be traveling to Malaysia for about 1 month and wish to know whether the following places have a risk of malaria: Perhentian Islands Penang Taman Negara National Park Melaka

We do not recommend malaria prophylaxis for yhe Penang peninsula only for the part of malaysia located on Borneo.



Malaria in Malaysia and Singapore

I live in Canada and plan on visiting my parents in Malaysia in October. My parents live very close by the border of Malaysia and Singapore (Johor Bahru)and in addition to being in Malaysia we will also visit Singapore. We actually fly right into Singapore from Toronto. Will I need malaria medication? My husband and will be planning to conceive right after we get back? How long will I need to wait before getting pregnant after I return from my trip? I am getting all my immunization vaccines this month, including Hepatitis A & B.

No, there is very little malaria on the Malaysian peninsula and in Singapore, so you will not need malaria for the visit you describe. Therefore there is no "quarantine" period during your travel or after where you have to avoid getting pregnant.