Indonesia

Have a safe trip with travel vaccines and advice from medical professionals.

Travel health and safety for Indonesia 🇮🇩

Indonesia is a captivating country that offers a wealth of tourist attractions, a diverse culinary scene, and a rich cultural heritage.

From its diverse attractions to its mouthwatering cuisine and vibrant cultural experiences, Indonesia offers a truly immersive and unforgettable travel experience. Embrace the warmth and hospitality of the Indonesian people as you explore the country’s beautiful landscapes and delve into its rich cultural tapestry.

Indonesia’s culinary scene is renowned worldwide, offering a wide variety of flavors and influences. Visitors can indulge in iconic dishes such as nasi goreng (fried rice), satay (grilled skewered meat), and rendang (slow-cooked spicy beef). Each region in Indonesia has its own unique specialties, allowing travelers to embark on a gastronomic adventure across the archipelago.

The country’s cultural heritage is deeply rooted in traditions and customs passed down through generations. Visitors can witness traditional dances, such as the graceful Balinese Legong or the dramatic Javanese Ramayana ballet. Exploring ancient temples like Borobudur in Central Java or Prambanan in Yogyakarta provides a glimpse into Indonesia’s rich historical and religious heritage.

Indonesia boasts a breathtaking array of natural landscapes, including pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and majestic volcanoes. Bali, known as the Island of the Gods, attracts visitors with its stunning beaches, vibrant arts scene, and spiritual retreats. Komodo National Park offers the opportunity to see the famous Komodo dragons up close, while the Gili Islands provide a tranquil paradise for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. Adventure seekers can hike up Mount Bromo in East Java for a surreal sunrise experience or explore the unique ecosystem of Lake Toba in North Sumatra.

When traveling to Indonesia, it’s important to prioritize your health and safety. Stay hydrated, avoid consuming tap water, and follow proper food hygiene practices. Depending on the region, taking precautions against mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever and malaria is advisable. Additionally, be aware of any travel advisories, respect local customs, and practice responsible tourism to preserve Indonesia’s natural and cultural heritage.

Travel Immunizations for Indonesia

What vaccines do I need for Indonesia? Get all the information and vaccinations you need to minimize travel health risks.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travelers, as the risk of contracting hepatitis A can be present in contaminated food and water.

Can be spread by fecal-oral transmission or by consuming food or water that has been contaminated.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort, vomiting, joint pain.

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact with infected individuals.
Symptoms initially resemble a common cold, followed by a characteristic rash fever, cough, runny nose, small, white spots inside the mouth and throat red eyes, sleepiness, and irritability.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that targets the liver and may cause chronic infections.

Its primary mode of transmission is through direct blood-to-blood contact with an infected person. It can also be transmitted through unprotected sex or sharing needles.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting and joint pain.

Malaria

Malaria is a serious and occasionally fatal disease that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, similar to the flu. Without treatment, malaria can cause severe illness and death.
Malaria can be treated with anti-malarial medications.

Rabies

Rabies is a viral infection transmitted through animal bites.

Symptoms may initially include fever, headache, and discomfort at the bite site, progressing to more severe neurological symptoms. Rabies is fatal if it is not treated before symptoms develop.
Rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.

Japanese Encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a viral infection spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Visitors to areas experiencing a JE outbreak should also consider vaccination.
Risk increases for individuals engaging in activities involving high contact with mosquitoes.

Polio

Polio is a highly infectious vaccine-preventable disease.

Polio can infect the central nervous system and damage nerve cells that activate muscles.
Spread from person to person and through contaminated food and water.
Polio virus can cause paralysis and death in individuals of any age who are not immune

We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the provided information, however, it is not feasible for us to update daily. Please book a virtual consultation with one of our Travel Medicine Professionals for current, personalized advice and answers to any questions you may have.

Health Canada strongly advises travelers ensure their routine vaccinations are up to date, including:

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Guards against the varicella-zoster virus, responsible for chickenpox.

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP)

Protects against three different bacterial infections.

Flu (Influenza)

Vaccination against seasonal influenza strains is essential.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Provides immunity against all three diseases in one shot.

Polio

Essential for guarding against the poliovirus.

Shingles

Offers protection against a viral infection that causes painful rashes.

COVID-19

The ongoing pandemic necessitates adherence to vaccination guidelines and preventive measures.

Indonesia Concerns / Health Canada Recommendations

Traveler's Diarrhea

Most common illness for travelers, from consuming contaminated food & water

Affects up to 70% of travelers and risks minimized with good hygiene and safe food/drink choices (eg. avoid raw foods, ice in drinks).
Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, bloating.

Typhoid

Consider getting vaccinated against typhoid, as it can be contracted through contaminated food and water.

Symptoms of typhoid fever include a high fever, headache, weakness, fatigue, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, loss of appetite, and a rose-colored rash on the chest and abdomen.

Schistosomiasis

Can be spread through freshwater contaminated by blood flukes (tiny worms).

Can cause stomach illnesses like diarrhea and cramps or urinary problems.

Avian Influenza

Viral infection that can spread quickly and easily among birds

Symptoms include fever, chills, runny nose, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, red/watery eyes, or difficulty breathing.

Insect Bite Prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. Cover up and use mosquito repellents to protect against infection.

Chikungunya: Symptoms include joint pains, fever, rash, and headache.
Dengue: Symptoms include high-grade fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, and nausea/vomiting.

Zika: Symptoms include rash, itch, mild fever, headache, red eyes, muscle, and joint pains.

Lymphatic filariasis

Also known as Elephantiasis, caused by filariae (tiny worms) spread to humans through an infected mosquito.

Can cause a range of illnesses.
Risk is generally low for most travellers. There is no vaccine available for lymphatic filariasis although drug treatments exist.

Over the Counter Medications for Travel to Indonesia

Pain Relief

Medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) can be helpful for managing headaches, muscle pain, or fever.

Anti-Diarrheal Medications

It’s advisable to carry over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (e.g., Imodium) to treat mild cases of traveler’s diarrhea. However, it’s important to stay hydrated and seek medical attention if diarrhea persists or worsens.

Antacids

Antacids like Tums or Pepto-Bismol can provide relief from indigestion or heartburn, which can sometimes occur when trying new foods or experiencing changes in diet during travel.

Allergy Medications

If you have known allergies, carrying antihistamines like cetirizine(e.g., Reactine) or diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl) can help manage allergic reactions to environmental allergens or insect bites.

Motion Sickness Medications

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider carrying medication like dimenhydrinate (e.g., Gravol) to alleviate symptoms during long journeys or when traveling by car, train, or boat.

Sun Protection

It is essential to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Use sunscreen with a high SPF, wear hats, sunglasses, and lightweight, breathable clothing.

Medical Services and Facilities in Indonesia

Heath care is inadequate.

Most medical staff don’t speak English or French. You may have to pay in advance, in cash, to obtain medical services.
Medical evacuation can be very expensive, and you may need it in case of serious illness or injury.
Ensure you have travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Controlled Medications in Indonesia

Some prescription and over-the-counter medications such as those containing morphine and codeine, are classified as controlled substances in Indonesia.

It’s illegal to bring them into the country, without prior permission from the Indonesian Ministry of Health.
If you attempt to bring banned pharmaceuticals into Indonesia without prior authorization and proper documentation, you may be subject to fines and imprisonment.

Consular Assistance in Indonesia

In case of emergency, dial 110 for police.

Jakarta - Embassy of Canada

Street Address: World Trade Centre I, 6th Floor, Jl. Jend Sudirman, Kav. 29, Jakarta 12920, Indonesia

Telephone: +62 21 2550 7800

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.Canada.ca/Canada-And-Indonesia

Bali - Consulate General of Australia

There is no Canadian government office in Bali. You can obtain consular assistance from the Australian Consulate General of Australia, in Bali, under the Canada-Australia Consular Services Sharing Agreement.

Street Address: Jalan Tantular No. 32, Renon, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia

Telephone: +62 361 2000 100

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.bali.indonesia.embassy.gov.au/blli/home.html

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