Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
on various dates throughout December or January. In larger towns, expect live bands and
dancing.
HEALTH
Healthcare in Laos is so poor as to be virtually non-existent; the life expectancy is 66
for men and 69 for women. Malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases are rife, and
you'llneedtotakeanumberofprecautionstoavoidcontractingthese,especiallyifyou
plan on spending long periods of time in rural regions. The nearest medical care of any
competenceisinneighbouringThailand;ifyoufindyourselfafflictedbyanythingmore
serious than travellers' diarrhoea, it's best to head for the closest Thai border crossing
and check into a hospital.
Plan on consulting a doctor at least two months before your travel date to discuss which dis-
eases you should receive immunization against. Some antimalarials must be taken several
days before arrival in a malarial area in order to be effective. If you are going to be on the
road for some time, a dental check-up is also advisable.
Vaccinations
While there are no mandatory vaccinations for Laos (except yellow fever if you are coming
from an infected area), a few are recommended. Hepatitis A, typhus, tetanus and polio are the
most important ones, but you should also consider hepatitis B, rabies and Japanese enceph-
alitis - your doctor or travel health specialist will consider your travel plans and advise you
accordingly. All shots should be recorded on an International Certificate of Vaccination and
carried with your passport when travelling abroad.
Hepatitis A
is contracted via contaminated food and water and can be prevented by the
Havrix vaccine which provides protection for up to ten years. Two injections two to four
weeks apart are necessary, followed by a booster a year later. The older one-shot vaccine only
provides protection for three months.
Hepatitis B
is spread via sexual contact, transfusions
of tainted blood and dirty needles. Vaccination is recommended for travellers who plan on
staying for long periods of time (six months or more). Note that the vaccine can take up to
six months before it is fully effective.
Rabies
can be prevented by a vaccine that consists of two injections over a two-month peri-
od with a third a year later and boosters every two to five years. If you haven't had shots and
are bitten by a potentially rabid animal, you will need to get the jabs immediately.
Japaneseencephalitis
, a mosquito-borne disease, is quite rare, but doctors may recommend
a vaccination against it. The course of injections consists of two shots at two-week intervals
plus a booster.
