Malaria Taman Negara (1 Viewer)

[cassowary]

I am scheduled to be in the Kuala Tahan Area of Taman Negara for a week in Feb. Anyway I wondered what the risk of malaria was in this area today. Some sources say moderate risk some say malaria has nearly been eradicated in this area. BTW I would have put this query in the Malaysia section, but that section seems to be infrequently visited.

 

[Larry Sweetland]

first I've heard of malaria being there, didn't even cross my mind. could be wrong though.

 

[Chris D]

Don't miss Frasiers. Also ask (at Taman Negara) if there's any fruiting figs.

 

[schiffornis]

I am scheduled to be in the Kuala Tahan Area of Taman Negara for a week in Feb. Anyway I wondered what the risk of malaria was in this area today. Some sources say moderate risk some say malaria has nearly been eradicated in this area. BTW I would have put this query in the Malaysia section, but that section seems to be infrequently visited.

When I went last March (trip report here) I was advised that of the whole of the peninsula, the area of TN was the highest concern for Malaria. I took tablets and didn't get Malaria. There wasn't too many mosquitoes around during my visit. I slept under a mossi net at TN, but that was more to keep the rats off my face!

Andy

 

[gandytron]

These should be helpful:

http://globalhealthsciences.ucsf.ed...ntry-briefings/asia-pacific/Malaysia_2013.pdf

http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/asia-(east)/malaysia/malaysia-malaria-map.aspx

There is no evidence of artemisinin-resistance in Malaysia yet.

Best wishes,

Dave

 

[Hor Kee]

I think Dengue Fever is more of a problem compared to Malaria here.

 

[gandytron]

I think Dengue Fever is more of a problem compared to Malaria here.

Yes, there are ten times as many cases of dengue (41,000 in 2013) compared with malaria (4,000 in 2012)) in Malaysia, but dengue is often a more urban disease, and is carried by day-flying Aedes mossies, and there is no prophylaxis or cure (oh, and chikungunya is on the rise too)...

So the take home message should be: avoid getting bitten. Note however that the rate of malaria transmission in Malaysia is very very low, so your chances of contracting malaria seem pretty small...and you can reduce them further by taking prophylaxis.

Best,

Dave

PS Have been to West Malaysia and Sabah multiple times and have never taken antimalarials, nor contracted malaria :t:

 

[cassowary]

Chaps, thanks for your replies

Taman Negara seems to be the only place malaria occurs with any regularity on peninsular Malaysia; or so say a number of articles from a google search.

Gandytron that fit for travel article sparked my original concern. However I didn't see that excellent Malaria Elimination Program PDF that you posted a link to. For anyone calculating whether they want to take anti malarial pills in Taman Negara, that is the best article I have seen

I forgot about chikungunya. Dengue seems prevalent worldwide now.

BTW to help prevent insects biting I wear permethrin impregnated clothing, avon skin-so-soft cream (if nothing else it gives me nice soft skin) and DEET mainly on my clothing.

Hor Kee nice picture of Garnet Pitta - One of my target birds of Taman Negara.

 

[Chris D]

The Pitta is easy in the Danum Valley - if you have the time and money.

 

[cassowary]

The Pitta is easy in the Danum Valley - if you have the time and money.

Chris good to know. Originally I did consider visiting the Danum valley, however I'm on too many flights as it is. For another trip maybe.

 

[Chris D]

I've been a few times. Sure it's expensive - but still the best flora / fauna I've experienced in the Old World. Look into 'Air Asia' from K.L.

 

[halftwo]

I didn't bother with the tablets, just took repellant, and don't remember any mossies.
When I gave blood recently TN was one of the places I got questioned about as they seemed to think there was risk of malaria, however.

My advice is always don't get bitten - and avoid the tablet's horrid side effects.

 

[Larry Sweetland]

The Pitta is easy in the Danum Valley - if you have the time and money.

Garnet Pitta can also be pretty easy at Taman Negara, make sure you learn it's beautiful call, and just go crawling in after them! Malaysian rail Babbler's call is very similar (though more level, and you hear them less there). Either way, tracking that call down's a winner! :t:

 

[Hor Kee]

Thanks everyone! That particular pitta was fro a less well known entrance of Taman Negara called Sungai Relau. It has the only tarred road running through the park in the form of a 13km long jeep track. Further, as the jeep track is off limits to private vehicles, birding along it or the trails that branch off it where the pitta was shot is a joy! Very few tourists compared to Kuala Tahan, but also much less facilities there. BF member Wengchun conducts tours there, so drop him a message if you're interested.

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

I checked with Travax, the travel medicine service my company uses. They show "chemoprophylaxis recommended" for much of interior penninsular Malaysia, including Taman Negara. They don't distinguish between seasons, only to say transmission occurs year round.

While they tend to be on the conservative side, I usually follow their recommendations even for personal travel (which for me, tends to be far more adventurous than my business travel).

 

[Jon Gallagher]

I was in Taman Nagara one September, and there were mossies around. I used my net, used bug spray, and took malarone, and felt glad I did. Also stayed outside the park and took the early morning boats in. Don't believe those who say that's not possible...! Had both Garnet Pitta and Malaysian Rail-babbler near the path to the Yong hide.