Risk / Health Info for Macau

There are some vaccines to get before going to Macau and your healthcare advisor can guide you. You should consider hepatitis A vaccination, particularly if you will be exposed to poor sanitation. If you are a healthcare worker or plan to have a surgical procedure, tattoo or piercing, consider hepatitis B vaccination before you travel to Macau. Children are also at risk from catching hepatitis B through cuts and grazes. Another at-risk group who should consider hepatitis B vaccination is users of intravenous drugs (but note that possession of illegal drugs carries a heavy penalty in Macau).

Tetanus is another vaccination for travellers to Macau. You may already be protected if you are up to date with your Canadian or U.S. vaccination schedule, but it is possible to get a booster.

If you will be working with animals during your trip to Macau, consider a pre-exposure rabies vaccination. Dogs are the most common infection route, but bats are also a risk. Monkeys and cats are also possible carriers. In areas such as Macau where rabies is endemic you should seek medical advice straight away if you are bitten by an animal.

In recent years there have been numerous instances of people catching bird flu in China, also known as avian influenza. Avian flu often leads to pneumonia and most patients become seriously ill. Bird flu can be fatal. Infections with bird flu are associated with exposure to live poultry. Person-to-person infections are rare, and China has strong avian influenza surveillance and quarantine systems in place. Outbreaks of bird flu occur mainly in rural areas, but it may be contracted in markets where live birds are sold. The World Health Organisation recommends not visiting poultry markets if possible. Follow good hand hygiene practices, such as washing with soap and water, or failing that, an alcohol hand sanitizer, to help prevent transmission of bird flu.

Macao Tourism has a list of information about healthcare and hospitals. You will have to pay for healthcare so ensure you have available funds for this eventuality on your visit to Macao and that your travel health insurance is up to date.

Dengue fever in Macau

There have been cases of the mosquito-borne virus dengue fever in Macau. Dengue fever is also known as breakbone fever because of the severe bone, joint and muscular pains it causes, in addition to flu-like fever and headache. There is no vaccine for dengue fever. Avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellents (50% DEET) and by wearing protective clothing. Sleeping with mosquito nets is also recommended.

Schistosomiasis in Macau

The schistosomiasis parasite enters humans through the skin during contact with fresh water. To prevent infection, avoid swimming or paddling in lakes and streams in Macau. This condition is also known as bilharzia.

Japanese encephalitis in Macau