383The following advice is a
general guide only and does
not replace the advice of
a doctor trained in travel
medicine.
BEFORE YOU GO
» (^) Pack medications in their
original, clearly labelled
containers.
» (^) Carry a signed and dated
letter from your physician
describing your medical
conditions and medica-
tions, including their generic
names.
» (^) If you have a heart condi-
tion bring a copy of your
ECG taken just prior to
travelling.
» (^) Bring a double supply of
any regular medication in
case of loss or theft.
» Take out health insurance.
Va c c i n a t ion s
Proof of yellow fever vaccina-
tion will be required if you
have visited a country in the
yellow-fever zone (ie Africa or
South America) within the six
days prior to entering Myan-
mar. Otherwise the World
Health Organization (WHO)
recommends the following
vaccinations for travellers to
Myanmar:
Adult diphtheria and
tetanus Single booster
recommended if none in the
previous 10 years.
Hepatitis A Provides
almost 100% protection
for up to a year. A booster
after 12 months provides
at least another 20 years’
protection.
Hepatitis B Now consid-
ered routine for most travel-
lers. Given as three shots
over six months. A rapid
schedule is also available, as
is a combined vaccination
with hepatitis A.
Measles, mumps and
rubella (MMR) Two doses
of MMR are required unless
you have had the diseases.
Many young adults require
a booster.
Polio There have been no re-
ported cases of polio in My-
anmar in recent years. Adults
require only one booster for
lifetime protection.
Typhoid Recommended un-
less your trip is less than a
week and only to developed
cities. The vaccine offers
around 70% protection,
lasts for two to three years
and comes as a single shot.
Tablets are also available but
the injection is usually rec-
ommended as it has fewer
side effects.
Varicella (chickenpox) If
you haven’t had chickenpox,
discuss this vaccination with
your doctor.
Websites &
Further Reading
Lonely Planet’s Healthy
Travel – Asia & India is
packed with useful informa-
tion. Other recommended
references include Tr av e l-
lers’ Health by Dr Richard
Dawood and Travelling Well
by Dr Deborah Mills. Online
resources include:
Centres for Disease Con-
trol and Prevention (CDC;
http://www.cdc.gov))
MD Travel Health (www.
mdtravelhealth.com)
Travelling Well (www.travel
lingwell.com.au)
World Health Organiza-
tion (www.who.int/ith/)
IN MYANMAR
Ava ilabilit y of
Health Care
Myanmar medical care is
dismal, and local hospitals
should be used only out of
desperation. Contact your
embassy for advice, as staff
will usually direct you to the
best options. Be aware that
getting Western-style health
care may not come cheap.
If you think you may have
a serious disease, especially
malaria, do not waste time –
travel to the nearest quality
facility to receive attention.
It is always better to be as-
sessed by a doctor than to
rely on self-treatment.
Buying medication over
the counter is not recom-
mended in Myanmar, as
fake medications and poorly
stored or out-of-date drugs
are common.