Risk areas
Risk exists throughout the year in all areas of Irian Jaya and in rural areas of other islands (exceptions are metropolitan areas of Jakarta, Jogakarta, Surabaya, Medan, and Denpasar plus contiguous tourist beach areas of Bali). Chloroquine-resistant falciparum is confirmed, and chloroquine-resistant .. vivax is reported. Fansidar resistance is reported in several areas and resistance to mefloquine may occur. WHO reports that P. falciparum is responsible for 49% of cases. Java and Bali report a total of 16,000 cases annually, with an added 59,000 reported from the Outer Islands.
Protective measures
advises that risk is limited to areas not usually visited by travelers and recommends that only
travelers likely to have evening or nighttime exposure in risk areas undertake chemoprophylaxis with mefloquine in addition to personal protective measures. Persons with epilepsy, psychiatric disorders or known hypersensitivity to mefloquine should not use this drug and should consider alternate means of protection. Consult your physician regarding additional precautions and potential side effects.Current Health Concerns
According to postings on ProMED, 8 people are dead and 46 others have been hospitalized in the eastern province of Nusa Tangara due to rabies. Initial investigation by health officials seemed to indicate that the disease was not rabies, but further tests proved that dogs carrying rabies were responsible for the deaths. An order has been issued to capture and destroy approximately 170,000 stray dogs in Nusa Tangara.
Posted 15 May 1998.
According to press reports, dengue hemorrhagic fever has claimed the lives of approximately 800 people in Indonesia since the beginning of the year.
Dengue fever is common during the monsoon season, which generally lasts from October to April, but government officials have stated that this year's outbreak is extraordinary. At least 32,000 people have been infected since January 1998.
Localized outbreaks have been recorded in several locations, notably the
district of Palembang in South Sumatra Province, the cities of Bandung and Jakarta in West Java Province, the town of Dili in East Timor Province and the town of Palu in Central Sulawesi Province. Jakarta alone has seen nearly 80 deaths among 10,000 cases. At least 12 of Indonesia's 27 provinces have recorded fatalities, and the number of deaths reported is believed to be a fraction of the actual totals.
Posted 15 May 1998.
According to press reports, an outbreak of hepatitis A has affected more than 600 people in the regency of Bondowoso in Eastern Java. Eight villages in the districts of Tapan, Wonsari and Sukosari have been affected, the largest in the region's history. Poor hygiene and contaminated river water have been cited as causes of the outbreak.
Posted 24 April 1998.
According to press reports, a choking smog from forest fires burning out of control in the province of East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo has compromised the health of thousands of people in the cities of Samarinda and Balikpapan, as well as in surrounding areas. At least 300 cases of pneumonia have been reported, and ailments such as eye infections, respiratory infectionsand asthma are on the rise. One newspaper has reported that at least 2 people have died due to the haze. After dissipating for a few months, the haze has returned to Southeast Asia as land has been deliberately burned and seasonal monsoon rains have been held off by the El Nino weather phenomenon.
Posted 24 March 1998.
USDOS Advisory
The material below is reprinted verbatim from the U.S. Department of State (USDOS). Recommendations regarding preventive health measures (including immunizations), if given here, may differ from those of the CDC/ACIP presented elsewhere in this report. Health-related entry requirements, if included here, may not agree with the official version of requirements reported by WHO and presented in the Official Health Data section of this report.
Consular Information Sheet - April 24, 1998
Country Description
Indonesia is an independent republic consisting of more than 13,500 islands spread over 3,000 miles. Its economy is developing, and tourist services are plentiful in the major tourist sites.
Entry Requirements: A passport valid for six months beyond the
intended date of departure is required. A visa is not required for tourist
stays up to two months. For additional information about entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036, telephone (202) 775-5200,
http://www.kbri.org/ Information on Crime
The crime rate in Jakarta is moderate but rising. Minor crimes, such as pickpocketing and thefts, occur in popular tourist sites throughout the country. Incidents of carjackings and robbery have been reported. Lost or stolen passports should be reported to the local police and the citizins. Embassy or nearest consulate.
Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in their countries and do not afford the same protections available to the individual under their. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in your countrie for similar offenses.
Persons violating the law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Criminal penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect severe jail sentences and fines.
Road Safety: All traffic operates on the left side of the road, and most vehicles use right-hand drive. Roads in major cities and toll roads are good. Roads are narrower and may be more poorly maintained in rural areas and remote regions. Driving at night outside major cities can be hazardous. Taxis are an affordable means of transportation. The safest option is to call the taxi company directly. Make sure the taxi driver agrees to take you to your destination, never get into a taxi already occupied by another passenger and always insist on using the taxi meter. A list of taxi safety tips, along with a list of more reputable taxi companies, is available from the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta.
Aviation Oversight
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Indonesia civil aviation authority as Category 1 - in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Indonesia's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at (800) 322-7873 or visit the FAA Internet home page athttp://www.faa.gov/AVR/iasa.htm
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at (703) 697-7288. Embassy Location and Registration
Americans are encouraged to register at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, where they may obtain updated information on travel and security within the country. The embassy is located in Jakarta at Medan Merdeka Selatan 5; telephone (62)(21) 344-2211, fax (62)(21)
386-2259, Internet: http://www.usembassyjakarta.org/
The U.S. Consulate General is in Surabaya at Jalan Raya Dr. Sutomo 33; telephone (62)(31) 567-2287/8, fax (62)(31) 567-4492. There is a consular agent in Bali at Jalan Hayam Wuruk 188, Denpasar, Bali; telephone (62)(361) 233-605.
The U.S. Consulate in Medan closed in May 1996.
