Philippines

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• The whole country is malarial below 600 meters of altitude, except in urban areas. Transmission occurs all year round and strains are highly resistant to chloroquine (zone 3).
• Dengue fever is endemic and the risk is particularly high during the wet season, from May to November.
• Cholera oubtreaks occur regularly.
• There are cases of Japanese encephalitis type B in rural areas.
• Protect yourself from sun and heat to avoid burns and sunstrokes.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country. Human cases are reported mainly in the islands of Luçon (north) and Bohol.
• 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

Manila
• Healthway Medical Clinic (Binondo), 2F Paramount Building, Quintin Paredes Street, Binondo: phone + 63 2 241 2250
• Makati Medical Centre, #2 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village: phone + 63 2 815 9911, fax + 63 2 817 3205
• St. Luke's Medical Centre, Cathedral Heights, 279 E Rodriguez Street Boulevard: phone + 63 2 724 4363, fax + 63 2 724 7275



Quezon City
• Healthway Medical Clinic - SM North EDSA, Basement Level Annex Building, SM City, North EDSA: phone + 63 2 926 9235



Cebu City
• Perpetual Succour Hospital, Gorordo Avenue: phone + 63 32 232 2410, fax + 63 32 231 2362



Makati City
• Healthway Medical Clinic, 2F Ayala Life Building, 6786 Ayala Avenue: phone + 63 2 893 7910



Muntinlupa City
• Asian Hospital and Medical Center, 2205 Civic Drive, Filinvest Corporate City: phone + 63 2 771 9000, fax + 63 2 876 5710
• Healthway Medical Clinic - Alabang Town Center, 2F Alabang Town Center, Alabang-Zapote Road, Alabang: phone + 63 850 6723

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Emergencies: 166 or 117

CLIMATE

• The climate is mostly tropical, especially in the south where the weather is hot and humid with rain falls throughout the year.
• Further north, the monsoon winds bring rain July to October, with the heaviest rain falling August to October (typhoon season).
• Between October and February, the weather is a little cooler and typically dry, except on north-facing coasts. Between March and May, the weather is usually hot and dry.
• When to go: between November and February.