Health / Vaccines

Bali is a relatively safe place on the sanitary point of view: Malaria is not present on the territory and the health facilities are quite good. However some precautions should be taken (vaccinations but not only), so we recommend you to read the following instructions carefully.

IMPORTANT: apart from the advice specified below, we strongly recommend to regularly check and follow, before and during your travel, the information provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Australian Government.

Vaccinations

For occidental travellers no vaccination is required.

Some vaccinations remain highly recommended (for the adult):

• Typhoid fever
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Japanese encephalitis: vaccination recommended to travellers heading to rural areas (especially rice fields as the virus is transmitted by mosquitoes).
• Rabies: vaccination recommended to travellers planning on having a prolonged stay in Bali or heading to rural areas, or even for situations involving contact with animals (more details here after).

We also advise you to be up to date with your respective country of residence’s official list of compulsory vaccinations.

For further information, including regarding vaccinations’ applicability to children, consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

In all cases, it is wise to ask your general practitioner’s opinion or to seek advice from an international vaccination centre.

Malaria

The antimalarial treatment is not necessary for Bali. If you wish to visit the surrounding islands it becomes a necessity (level 3 malaria inoculated area).

Even though mosquitoes do not carry malaria in Bali, we strongly advise you to be equipped with an efficient mosquito repellent (for skin and clothing), long sleeved/tight-knit clothing at nightfall and even a mosquito net to protect yourself from stings. Mosquitoes can be responsible for the transmission of other viruses. Prevention is preferable to cure!

Sun

The sun in Bali is strongest due to its proximity with the equator. Make sure to protect yourself from the sun: high quality sunscreen, hat, long sleeved clothing and sunglasses go without saying!

Dangerous animals

Dozens of rabies cases have been diagnosed in Bali, including one deadly case in June 2015. Depending on the modalities and the duration of your stay, anti-rabies vaccination can be recommended.

Whether you are vaccinated against rabies or not, you should, in all cases, avoid proximity and contact with animals (especially stroking stray animals, dogs, monkeys) in order to reduce the risks of being bitten. It is of prime importance to insist on this point with your children.

In the unfortunate case of a bite, it is crucial to carefully clean the bitten area (with water and soap) and to consult a doctor as fast as possible, to receive, when necessary, appropriate anti-rabies treatments (anti-rabies vaccination do not exempt you from the treatment).

Precautions that must be taken

Plan to consult your general practitioner (and potentially your dentist) before travelling.

They can prescribe a certain amount of medicines that may prove to be useful during your travel. The list will depend on the duration of your stay, as well as on your travelling preferences (backpackers, luxury or middle range hotels).

As a minimum, plan to bring basic equipment to disinfect a wound, antidiarrheal medication, bandages and your usual medicines (paracetamol, ibuprofen, contraceptive pills if applicable) and a thermometer (very useful to monitor a fever).

If you travel with your children, your first aid kit must be adapted accordingly. Keep in mind that finding particular medicine in Bali can be tricky. However, you do not need to overload your luggage with diapers and baby wipes, as they are easy to find there!

Nevertheless, do not forget to bring all your medicines’ prescriptions with you for some peace of mind in case of control by the authorities.

Medical assistance

Finally, make sure to contract a sanitary repatriation insurance if you do not already have one. It may avoid considerable expenses if you ever need repatriation on health grounds.

Be aware, that a travel insurance (including assistance benefits such as repatriation) often comes with your Visa, MasterCard or American Express card.

Besides, carefully review the warranty conditions as well as the exclusions stated in the assistance/insurance contract to be fully aware of the extend of your coverage.

Medical care in Bali

Find below a list of Bali’s hospitals and clinics where the staff speaks English and have a good reputation.

BIMC Hospital

• In Kuta: Simpang Siur - Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai 100x Kuta 80361 - Bali. Phone: (+ 62 361) 761263 (24 hours a day), Fax: (+ 62 361) 755035.

• In Nusa Dua: Kawasan BTDC Blok D, Nusa Dua 80363 - Bali. Phone: (+62 361) 3000 911,
  Fax: (+62 361) 3001 150.

SOS AEA
Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai 24x Kuta 80361 - Bali
Phone: (+ 62 361) 755768 (emergency) or 764555 (administrative)
Fax: (° 62 361) 764530

Prima Medika
Jalan Pulau Serangan No. 9X - Denpasar 80232 - Bali
Phone: (+62 361) 236225
Fax: (+62 361) 236203