South East Asia

Philippines

The Philippines is a developing democratic republic located in South East Asia. The archipelago consists of more than 7,000 islands, of which 880 are inhabited. The major islands are Luzon in the north, Visayas in the center, and Mindanao in the south. Tourist facilities are available within population centers and main tourist areas. English is widely spoken in the Philippines, and most signs are in English.

CRIME : Crime is a serious concern in Manila. Reports of confidence games, pick-pocketing and credit card fraud are common.. Criminals have administered drugs via proffered drinks to unwitting visitors in order to facilitate robbery and assault.

Visitors should also be vigilant when using credit cards. One form of credit card fraud involves the illicit use of an electronic device to retrieve and record information, including the PIN, from the card’s magnetic strip. The information is then used to make unauthorized purchases.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Adequate medical care is available in major cities but is limited in rural and more remote areas. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services

Arthropodborne diseases:

• Dengue fever
• Filariasis
• Japanese enchephalitis
• Malaria in rural regions below 600 m, except in Bohol, Catanduanes, Cebu, and Manila

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:

• Amoebiasis
• Cholera
• ETEC (E.coli)
• Giardiasis
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis E
• Typhoid fever

Other diseases:

• Hepatitis B
• Rabies

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 the form of chloroquine and proguanil below 600 m except in Bohol, Catanduanes, Cebu and Manila (chloroquine resistance)
  

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Updated 21-Jul-2003 • İtraveldoctorOnline 2001 • Disclaimer • webmaster

The contents within traveldoctoronline are presented only for informational purposes and cannot substitute for professional health care or any other medical treatment. All users of this website with health problems should be oblige always to consult their medical doctor before starting any treatment.