Taiwan

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Dengue fever is endemic in Taiwan and cases are on the rise in the south of the island.
• Japanese encephalitis is endemic in rural areas.
• The risk of hepatitis A and typhoid fever is high.
• Air pollution is important and may affect respiratory health, particularly for fragile people.
• Epidemics of gastro-enteritis are common; young children are particularly at risk.
• An upsurge in "foot-hand-mouth disease" cases (enterovirus 71) has been observed since January 2008.
• 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.

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

Taipei
• Mackay Memorial Hospital, 92 Chung Shan North Road, Section 2: phone + 886 2543 3535, fax + 886 2543 3642
• Private Clinic Center, No. 1 Lane 112, Jen Ai Road: phone + 886 2754 7700, fax + 886 2754 6600



Kaohsiung
• St. Joseph's Hospital, 352, Chienkuo 1st Road: phone + 886 7 223 8153



Taichung
• Kuang Tien General Hospital, 117 Shatien Rd., Shalu: phone + 886 4 662 5111

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 119
• Police: 110
• Ambulances: 119

CLIMATE

• Taiwan has a tropical climate with seasonal monsoons.
• Summer lasts from May to September, with an average temperature of 28°C. In the winter (December-February), temperatures average around 18°C.
• The typhoon season lasts from June to October.
• When to go: between March and May or September and November.