East Timor

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Malaria is endemic in East Timor and transmission occurs all year round. Strains are highly resistant to chloroquine (zone 3).
• Dengue fever is endemic in the country.
• Japanese encephalitis is endemic in rural areas.
• There is no yellow fever in the country.
• Protect yourself carefully from sun and heat to avoid burns and sunstrokes.
• Tuberculosis is very frequent in the country.
• Tuberculosis is frequent.
• Diarrheic diseases are common.

FOOD SAFETY

• Gastric diseases are common among tourists who are not accustomed to local food or who do not take precautions.
• Do not drink tap water and favor bottled mineral water, without ice ; avoid eating ice cream and sherbet.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked dishes, especially meat or fish. If possible, order hot dishes.
• Bring anti-diarrhea medication with you.
• Wash your hands carefully before each meal.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION

• Travellers entering the country from an endemic area are required to present a certificate of immunization against yellow fever.
Systematically:
• Hepatitis A: the vaccination is available for children at least one year old. For persons who were born before 1945, who have spent their childhood in a developing country or who have had an icterus, it may prove useful to search previously for serous antibodies in order to avoid an unnecessary shot.
• Hepatitis B: the vaccination is available for children at least two months old.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis: get a booster shot before leaving if your last shot is more than ten years old.



Depending on the duration and conditions of the trip:
• Typhoid fever: if the stay is occurring in precarious hygiene condition. The immunization is available for children at least 2 years old.
• Rabies : recommended for long stays in isolation. The immunization should be given to children as soon as they are able to walk.
• Japanese encephalitis: for stays longer than a month in rural areas during the rain season. The immunization is available for children at least one year old.
• Tuberculosis: in case of a long stay, it is recommended to have children immunized against tuberculosis as soon as they reach the age of one month, and against mumps, measles and rubella when they reach the age of nine months.
• Recommended chemoprophylaxis against malaria: mefloquine (commercial name: Lariam) or doxycycline (commercial name: Doxypalu).

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

Dili
• Guido Valadares Hospital: phone + 670 390 311 022
• Dili Hospital: phone + 670 390 311 000 / 008

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Police: + 670 723 06 86

CLIMATE

• East Timor has a tropical climate with little variation in temperature and high humidity.
• There are two main seasons: the wet monsoon season from November to March and the dry monsoon season from April to October.
• When to go: from June to September.