Medical and Disease Issues in China
April 29th, 2006
Dan’s recent email to the group re: his health center visit reminded me to make this post. Per previous emails to you, our informal discussions, status reports, and most importantly, the “legal paperwork” each of you filled out when you signed up for the trip in January, it’s up to each of of you as individuals to decide what medical prevention steps you wish to take before you leave for China on June 15. Dr. Wu and I (and Cal Poly) are not medical professionals and cannot provide you with medical advice. Thus, to that end, per the paperwork you filled out in January you were directed to monitor the WHO, US Embassy in China (see, e.g., their link on Travel Advisories), the CDC, US State Department, etc. web sites (see the “Links” section of this blog where each is posted) and/or work with your medical doctor and/or the health clinic on campus re: how you wish to proceed on the medical front. We CAN report that there are no required shots to enter and travel in China that we are aware of, although I have known some who travel to China get a Hepatitis B and C shot before they leave the US (I personally have no plans to do that). The places we will visit in China most would describe as less ”risky” from a health standpoint than the places many of you will subsequently visit in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, etc. Again, though, how you proceed and whether the steps you take are prudent or financial overkill are up to you to work with a medical professional to decide. Re: the avian flu issue, that, of course, is something in particular we need to continue to monitor and per the web sites I note above China remains in the clear on that front — note that we primarly visit the metropolitan areas of Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing, with the exception of the more rural areas near Suzhou and Hangzhou. Of course, if a new material public development appears on the avian flu front (or the political risk front) we will report it to the group and decide how to proceed.
Entry Filed under: Pre-Departure, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, China
8 Comments Add your own
1. Elisabeth Suiter | April 29th, 2006 at 7:41 pm
From my previous experience both through personal travels but also as a travel agent: Only a country’s embassy can truly tell us what we need, and I for one would only trust them on what is recommended. The CDC and nurses here really will give you overkill on what they think is possible, but there are times when what they consider possible is arguably hardly even reasonable. For example, they recommend malaria shots for Costa Rica when you are a lot more likely to die of a snake bite. In fact, if you got malaria in Costa Rica, it would be all over the news for years since no one I know there, including 80+ year old relatives, has ever even heard of anyone getting malaria. Aside from the additional funds this requires, I urge everyone to keep in mind that some of these, particularly the malaria vaccine, may have adverse health effects. I have had quite a few clients get sick from that vaccine, while I have never had a client tell me they got a disease when travelling mostly in cities like we will be.
Of course this is an individual decision, and those who are traveling seperate from the group may have some added research they may need to do. Weighing the pros and cons, I do not plan to get any vaccines, but before I make my final decision I will investigate further in two ways. This week I will attempt to get a hold of someone at the Chinese embassy to ask if they have vaccine recommendations for the areas we plan to be in. In addition, I have come in contact with a girl from the U.S. that is teaching English in Hangzhou and will ask her if she knows of any disease in the area that we should be prepared for. I can post the answers I get when I get them.
2. Brian Cronin | April 30th, 2006 at 8:32 am
I couldn’t agree more with what LIz had to say regarding the Embassy being the best source for this type of information. I first contacted Cal Poly’s Health Center (similar to Dan) and then the local Hospital and was given very contradictory recommendations. Because of this, I contacted the Embassy for each country Craig and I will be travelling to (China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore) for some concrete information. Suprisingly, I was told over and over again that I need not worry about any MANDATORY vaccinations being from the United States, however, each Embassy inquired about my personal travel in recent years. When learning that I had spent time in South America, for example, a few Embassies became concerned–China especially. Only after describing EXACTLY where I had been in South America was I reluctantly told that I would be alright. I was warned, however, that I may be asked for my full story over and over again when showing my passport and that there was no guarantee that the interrogator would believe me. Because of this, I may end up getting all of the vaccinations anyway to avoid potential hardship. My point is that Liz is absolutely correct to suggest contacting the Embassy. Keep in mind, however, that the recommendation from any Embassy will be case dependent meaning students who have done other travelling should inquire for themselves just to be sure.
3. Elisabeth Suiter | May 1st, 2006 at 6:03 am
Here’s a run down of what the girl from the U.S. who has been teaching English for a couple years now in Hangzhou has said on the issue:
“I didn’t get ANY (vaccines) before I came out, and was never told to … and have never needed anything. I’ve also never heard of any one getting hepatitis or malaria…. I’d say skip all of it. China is not a 3rd world country anymore… you’d almost think you were back in the States…The money will probably be better spent elsewhere.”
If this is the most rural area we will be visiting, then I am no longer even considering the vaccines. Brian, how long ago did you travel to South America? I have heard they only care for about a year or less, considering if you got something it would have shown up by then. I don’t think I have ever had a customs official look through the pages of my passport to see where else I’ve been, other than just flipping through to find a place to stamp it, but I suppose I may still call them then.
I have only been thoroughly questioned upon returning from Scotland during the hoof & mouth scare, but even that was a bit routine since I wasn’t playing with cows while there. It’s very possible with the aviary flu scare right now upon our return (or on another trip) they might ask us if we played with chickens, which I didn’t see scheduled on our itinerary so I’m sure we’ll be fine.
4. Sean Martin | May 1st, 2006 at 11:46 am
sorry dan. out some cash…bummer
5. Adrienne Lindsay | May 1st, 2006 at 12:12 pm
As of April 27th, the WHO said the following of the Bird Flu:
“The Ministry of Health in China has reported the country’s 18th case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The patient is an 8-year-old girl from the south-western province of Sichuan. She developed symptoms of fever and pneumonia on 16 April. She remains hospitalized.
According to the Ministry of Health, an initial investigation determined that poultry deaths recently occurred near the child’s home. Of the 18 laboratory-confirmed cases in China, 12 have been fatal.”
The CDC lists, in addition to the Hepatitis shots: rabies, typhoid, tetanus, measles and malaria. The CDC was much more helpful than the WHO in terms of listing vaccinations.
6. Brian Cronin | May 1st, 2006 at 12:35 pm
I was there for the summer so yeah, under a year. I’ll be sure to let you know if I hear anything.
7. Gary Chou | May 19th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I am not aware that we are going to Shenzhen!
8. Chris Carr | May 19th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Old post. No Shenzhen this year …
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