South East Asia

Laos

Laos is a poor developing country with a communist government. Political power is centralized in the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. Services and facilities for tourists are adequate in the capital, Vientiane, and the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, but they are extremely limited in other parts of the country.

CRIME: While Laos generally has a low rate of violent crime, it is not immune to crime.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities and services in Laos are limited, and they do not meet Western standards. Travellers are generally advised to seek medical care in Thailand. The Friendship Bridge linking Vientiane, Laos to Nong Khai, Thailand is open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Officials generally will allow travellers to cross after hours in case of medical emergency. AEK International Hospital (tel. 66-42-342-555) and North Eastern Wattana General Hospital both in Udorn, Thailand (tel. 66-1-833-4262) have English-speaking staff who are well accustomed to dealing with foreign patients. Nong Kong Wattana Hospital in Nong Khai, Thailand (tel. 66-1-833-4262) can handle most simple medical procedures. The ambulances of both AEK International Hospital and Nong Kong Wattana Hospital have advance permission to cross the Friendship Bridge to collect patients from Vientiane. In Vientiane, the Setthatirat Hospital ambulance (tel. 021-413-720) has the documentation necessary to take patients to Thailand.

Arthropodborne diseases:

We recommend:

Usage of long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects
Usage og insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children. Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing
Usage of a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin.
Staying and sleeping in air-conditioned houses

Water- and foodborne diseases:

Other diseases:

Vaccinations recommended:

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)
Hepatitis B or immune globulin
Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
Typhoid vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within the last 10 years.
Japanese encephalitis, only if you plan to visit rural areas for 4 weeks or more
Yellow fever, when entering from a yellow fever endemic region.

Stay healthy:

Wash hands often with soap and water.
Drink only boiled water, or water and carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans
Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it
Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.
Prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
Do not travel at night
Trafic accidents are frequent, be careful
Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
Use malaria prophlaxis in form of mefloquine, except in Vientiane (chloroquine resistance)

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