Dengue in Bali
Dengue is transmitted by a bite from a mosquito which carries the dengue virus. Not all mosquito breeds carry it, the most common dengue carrying mosquito will have stripes, namely the Aedes mosquito.
You are more likely to get a case of Bali belly than dengue so don’t worry about it too much. Contrary to popular belief, many cases of dengue are mild and go virtually unnoticed. The more you contract dengue the worse it can be. Common symptoms are fever, body aches, severe headache (usually behind the eyes) and skin rash.
People come to Bali for rest, fun & sunshine, not to have worries of sickness. Read on for my tips on how to avoid dengue in Bali & have a safe & fun holiday.
Avoid Bali in the rainy season.
Monsoon season occurs during the months of October to April, however this can vary greatly from year to year. With the extra heat & humidity this is a time when there are extra mosquitoes. This increases the risk of contracting dengue.
Close doors & windows at sunset & sunrise.
At any time of year, a high time for mosquitoes is at dawn and dusk. We know how frustrating it is to have a mosquito buzzing around while we’re trying to sleep. Keep your bedroom a bug free zone by sealing it off as the light begins to change in the evening. If you are a dawn riser, keep the windows & doors closed until the sun is higher in the sky.
Use repellent.
Any repellent that has DEET as an ingredient is generally considered reliable. Remember to reapply every few hours.
Natural options like lemon eucalyptus oil have been approved by the Centre for Disease Prevention (CDC) in the United States as effective. Combine with a carrier oil such as almond oil prior to application to prevent skin reaction.
Many restaurants in Canggu will supply insect repellent if you forget your own. Just ask.
Mosquito proof your villa.
Most villas and hotels will do weekly chemical fogging to help keep the risk of dengue at bay. You may like to check this before booking if you are concerned about mosquitoes.
You can use plug in repellents for a consistent mist of spray. Remember that plug ins are spraying chemicals into your environment so you may want to consider removing them before bed.
More traditionally designed villas that are open to the elements may use mosquito nets. Remember the nets can trap mosquitoes in as well. Check before bed that there are no nasties inside and leave no gaps for them to get through.
Mozzies love warm humid environments and using air conditioning will also decrease the likelihood of them getting out of hand.
Finally, coils, citronella candles and ceiling fans all make your villa’s environment unwelcoming to mosquitoes.
Wear long sleeves & pants.
Mosquitoes are opportunists and will go for the low hanging fruit. Your juicy ankle or arm that isn’t covered by clothing is more susceptible to a bite. They will also hide in the closet where it is often warm & dark. So give it a good flush out when you air out the bedroom in the late morning.
Avoid being near stagnant water.
Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Be sure to clear away water that may have pooled after a rain storm. Plant pots that hold water and puddles on the ground can be high density mosquito sites.
Don’t leave dishes in the sink with water in them. Stagnant ponds or even nearby rivers could increase the risk for contracting dengue in Bali.
What to do if you think you have dengue.
Similar to having a flu or bug, you can’t speed up the recovery process & rest is your best ally. The symptoms are not unlike having flu and the steps you can take to support your body are also similar.
- If you have vomiting or diarreah it’s important to keep your fluids up. Coconut water is packed with electrolytes so sip on a coconut.
- Headaches are no fun at all. Your regular over the counter paracetamol should do the trick. You can even get it delivered to your villa via Go Mart in the Gojek app. Guardian is a trusted local pharmacy chain in Bali.
- Sleep. Get some. There isn’t much else you can do but wait it out. If symptoms worsen you may need a doctor. You can have a mobile doctor come to your villa if you are too sick to travel.
We have used Hydro Medical in the past. They came to the villa and were very thorough. They weren’t cheap though at around 5 mil for complete tests & medicine. They came at 8pm when many other places were closed. They also came very last minute.
Side note :
The doctor will give you intravenous medicine. They sometimes give you tablets that are added to the bill at a premium. You can usually get the same medication from the pharmacy much cheaper.
If you are concerned about cost, opt to get the non urgent medicine from the pharmacy.
Getting sick is never fun, especially when on holiday. Never leave home without travel insurance, it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind when sick abroad.
I hope this has eased any anxiety now that you know how to avoid dengue in Bali. Enjoy your next vacation.
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