Comments on: Medical and Disease Issues in China http://calpolymbatrip.com/2006/china/medical-and-disease-issues-in-china/ The MBA Graduate Program at Cal Poly Fri, 18 May 2012 15:14:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Chris Carr http://calpolymbatrip.com/2006/china/medical-and-disease-issues-in-china/#comment-5181 Chris Carr Tue, 20 May 2008 06:02:52 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2006/china/medical-and-disease-issues-in-china/#comment-5181 Old post. No Shenzhen this year ... Old post. No Shenzhen this year …

]]> By: Gary Chou http://calpolymbatrip.com/2006/china/medical-and-disease-issues-in-china/#comment-5180 Gary Chou Tue, 20 May 2008 05:52:31 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2006/china/medical-and-disease-issues-in-china/#comment-5180 I am not aware that we are going to Shenzhen! I am not aware that we are going to Shenzhen!

]]> By: Brian Cronin http://calpolymbatrip.com/2006/china/medical-and-disease-issues-in-china/#comment-224 Brian Cronin Mon, 01 May 2006 20:35:15 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2006/china/medical-and-disease-issues-in-china/#comment-224 I was there for the summer so yeah, under a year. I'll be sure to let you know if I hear anything. I was there for the summer so yeah, under a year. I’ll be sure to let you know if I hear anything.

]]> By: Adrienne Lindsay http://calpolymbatrip.com/2006/china/medical-and-disease-issues-in-china/#comment-223 Adrienne Lindsay Mon, 01 May 2006 20:12:53 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2006/china/medical-and-disease-issues-in-china/#comment-223 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. 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.

]]> By: Sean Martin http://calpolymbatrip.com/2006/china/medical-and-disease-issues-in-china/#comment-220 Sean Martin Mon, 01 May 2006 19:46:31 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2006/china/medical-and-disease-issues-in-china/#comment-220 sorry dan. out some cash...bummer sorry dan. out some cash…bummer

]]> By: Elisabeth Suiter http://calpolymbatrip.com/2006/china/medical-and-disease-issues-in-china/#comment-218 Elisabeth Suiter Mon, 01 May 2006 14:03:35 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2006/china/medical-and-disease-issues-in-china/#comment-218 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. 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.

]]> By: Brian Cronin http://calpolymbatrip.com/2006/china/medical-and-disease-issues-in-china/#comment-215 Brian Cronin Sun, 30 Apr 2006 16:32:17 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2006/china/medical-and-disease-issues-in-china/#comment-215 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. 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.

]]> By: Elisabeth Suiter http://calpolymbatrip.com/2006/china/medical-and-disease-issues-in-china/#comment-214 Elisabeth Suiter Sun, 30 Apr 2006 03:41:31 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2006/china/medical-and-disease-issues-in-china/#comment-214 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. 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.

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