Health & Insurance

Staying Healthy

The tap water in KL is supposedly potable, but I don't recommend drinking it -- in fact, I don't recommend drinking tap water anywhere in Malaysia. Bottled water is inexpensive enough and readily available at convenience stores and food stalls. Food prepared in hawker centers is generally safe -- I have yet to experience trouble and I'll eat almost anywhere. If you buy fresh fruit, wash it well with bottled water and carefully peel the skin off before eating it.

Malaria has not been a major threat in most parts of Malaysia, even Malaysian Borneo. Dengue fever, on the other hand, which is also carried by mosquitoes, remains a constant threat in most areas, especially rural parts. Dengue, if left untreated, can cause fatal internal hemorrhaging, so if you come down with a sudden fever or skin rash, consult a physician immediately. There are no prophylactic treatments for dengue; the best protection is to wear plenty of insect repellent -- the breed of mosquito that carries dengue bites during the day as opposed to malaria-carrying ones that bite at night. Choose a product that contains DEET or is specifically formulated to be effective in the Tropics.

In 2003, SARS seemed to skip right over Malaysia, but Avian Influenza, or Bird Flu, has found its way here, particularly in the northern state of Kelantan. The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advises travelers to Malaysia to avoid contact with live or raw poultry.

Staying Safe

Malaysia has been having a terrible problem with thievery. "Snatch thieves" are becoming bolder and bolder, riding on motorcycles through heavily populated areas in KL, Johor Bahru, and other cities, snatching handbags from women's shoulders. Some victims have been dragged and seriously injured. When you're out, don't wear your handbag on your side that's facing the street, or better yet, don't carry a handbag at all.

The first thing I do when I check into a hotel is put my passport, international tickets, extra cash, and traveler's checks, plus any credit or ATM card I do not have immediate plans to use, straight into the safe, either in my room or behind the hotel's front desk.

Be careful when traveling on overnight trains and buses where there are great opportunities for theft (many times by fellow tourists, believe it or not). Keep your valuables close to you as you sleep.

Travel Warning

Under U.S. law, insurance companies are not required to cover any medical expenses incurred in countries on the State Department's Travel Advisory List, even if their policies indicate they will cover out-of-country medical expenses. Some supplemental carriers will sell travelers coverage for these areas. You can view the Travel Advisory List at http://travel.state.gov.