Asia and Oceania

Emergency medical care in all hospitals is good. However standards of care in government hospitals can be variable. Both government and private hospitals charge for all services. Private care is expensive.

Malaysia has periodic problems with air quality reaching hazardous levels because of smoke haze.  For more information on the air quality in Malaysia please visit the website of the Malaysian Department of Environment.

Dengue, malaria and other mosquito borne illnesses (including chikungunya fever) occur in Malaysia. Dengue fever is prevalent in all states and serious outbreaks occur from time to time. We recommend that you take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes, including using insect repellent at all times. There are no vaccinations against these diseases but there are preventative measures that you can take, as advised on the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website. You should visit your GP to discuss malaria prevention tablets.

There are occasional outbreaks of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) across Malaysia.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 79,000 adults aged 15 or over in Malaysia were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.5% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Malaysia and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) or NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

 

For more general health information see Travel Health and for food/drink hygiene see Eat and Drink Safely.

Swine Flu (H1N1)

There are confirmed cases of Swine Flu (H1N1) in Malaysia. Passengers entering Malaysia from countries with confirmed cases of H1N1 will be thermally or manually screened for any increase in body temperature. Any passengers displaying flu-like symptoms, and passengers travelling on flights with confirmed cases, may be placed in quarantine.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. We also have dedicated swine flu page. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website.

For information about the situation in Malaysia please monitor the Malaysian Ministry of Health website. The Ministry of Health have an operations room for the public to call, the numbers are 03 8881 0200 and 03 8881 0300.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

 

There have been outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in domestic poultry in Malaysia (most recently in June 2007). No human infections have been reported.

 

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low.  As a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

 

You should read this advice in conjunction with Avian and Pandemic Influenza, which gives more detailed advice and information.