Forums > Areas > Jalisco's Lake Chapala Region

njnomadlyn

Jul 2, 2003, 6:42 PM

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malarie/typhoid shots/pills

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I will be visiting the Lake Chapala area, for the first time, August 2-9, to check out for possible retirement. When I made the airline reservations the person taking the reservation made mention of seeing my doctor to get a perscription for malaria pills. Upon my questioning her as to if there was an outbreak of this disease in the area she told me she was required to advise all passengers in regard to this and it was my ultimate decision to see the doctor or not. My question is, is there a real necessity to take this precaution? I have been following this forum and have noted some posts about typhoid. The last time I was to Mexico was over 10 years ago, to Puerto Vallarta, and I was not advised to take any precautions in regard to any diseases and experienced no problems.

I would appreciate any information anyone would have on this matter. I am really excited about visiting the area but would rather be safe than sorry!

Rolly

Jul 2, 2003, 8:07 PM

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Re: [njnomadlyn] malarie/typhoid shots/pills

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The Ajijic/Lake Chapala area, like most of Mexico, is quite safe from malaria and typhoid. You don't need any shots or pills.

Rolly Pirate

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esperanza

Jul 2, 2003, 9:15 PM

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Re: [Rolly] malarie/typhoid shots/pills

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Malaria hasn't been a problem here at Lake Chapala. Typhoid, however, is another story. There was a small-scale epidemic of it this time last year (I had it, and I knew about 15 others who had it, and those were just people I knew). You might be wise to check with your doctor about the shots; I've heard that they're only about 60-70% effective, but your doctor will probably have better information.

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Jul 2, 2003, 11:21 PM

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Re: [esperanza] malarie/typhoid shots/pills

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Quote

"esperanza" writes:
Typhoid, however, is another story. There was a small-scale epidemic of it this time last year (I had it, and I knew about 15 others who had it, and those were just people I knew).

In general I avoid this forum like the plague. However, when this kind of assertion is made to a newcomer, I feel the need to temporarily break silence and point out:

From the SSA's Sistema Único de Información para la Vigilancia Epidemiológica (note - these were from their preliminary tables, I didn't have the finals handy):

reported cases of typhoid fever in the state of Jalisco in 2002: 156
reported cases of typhoid fever in the state of Jalisco in 2001: 231
change from 2001: -32%
reported cases of typhoid fever in all Mexico in 2002: 7,329
reported cases of typhoid fever in all Mexico in 2002: 7,214
percentage of reported cases occuring in Jalisco in 2002: 2%
percentage of reported cases occuring in Jalisco in 2001: 3%

reported cases of giardiasis in the state of Jalisco in 2002: 1,659
reported cases of giardiasis in all Mexico in 2002: 47,191
percentage of reported cases occuring in Jalisco: 4%
giardiasis / typhoid fever ratio for Jalisco: 10:1

reported cases of shigellosis in the state of Jalisco in 2002: 1,316
reported cases of shigellosis in all Mexico in 2002: 27,964
percentage of reported cases occuring in Jalisco: 5%
shigellosis / typhoid fever ratio for Jalisco: 8:1

reported cases of amebiasis in the state of Jalisco in 2002: 47,841
reported cases of amebiasis in all of Mexico in 2002: 1,145,165
percentage of reported cases occuring in Jalisco: 4%
amebiasis / typhoid fever ratio for Jalisco: 307:1

Typhoid fever, giardiasis, shigellosis, and amebiasis all have similar primary modes of transmission, fecal contamination of water or foodstuffs. It's quite interesting, however, that there's "small-scale epidemic" of typhoid. Although basic precautions with regards to sanitation should by followed, my vote goes with Rolly.

PS - Within the state of Jalisco, malaria risk is only considered to exist in the "mountainous northern area".

(This post was edited by ET on Jul 2, 2003, 11:43 PM)

Jean

Jul 3, 2003, 5:45 AM

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Re: [ET] malarie/typhoid shots/pills

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Last year there was a significant outbreak of typhoid at Lakeside. I would imagine that a lot of the cases were not even reported. I also knew of 20 people that got typhoid and these were permanent residents.

You can get the shots or you can just be very careful where you eat and what you drink. As a visitor who will probably be eating out you are at a higher risk. But if you stick to well known places you should be ok. You might also want to be tested for typhoid and other things when you get home. Typhoid does not just hit you all at once. Friends of mine were walking around with typhoid for months and didn't know it. Symptoms often present as if you have a mild flu. This can go on for months off and on. A couple I knew who had it were feeling crummy for months. One of them finally got very sick, while the other was still walking around with two strains of typhoid.

The Lake Chapala Society also issued a warning last year as we also had a Hep A outbreak. I didn't know anyone who had it, but if they issued a warning I would tend to take it seriously.

Talk with your doctor so you can make an informed opinion.
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esperanza

Jul 3, 2003, 6:50 AM

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Re: [ET] malarie/typhoid shots/pills

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Your vote may go with Rolly, but you and Rolly are both mistaken. I understand your statistical approach, but reporting is sketchy at best and the statistics you report are skewed by lack of data. I am not 'making an assertion to a newcomer', I am reporting what I know to be fact. You may call my factual reporting anecdotal if you like, but nevertheless: I was sick with laboratory-diagnosed and physician-confirmed typhoid from early May until mid-November. Was my illness reported? I doubt it. I personally spoke with 15 other people who also were diagnosed with typhoid during that period. Were their illnesses reported? I doubt it.

2002 was a particularly bad year for typhoid (a small-scale epidemic, if you will) here at Lakeside, but there are a few cases every year. All it takes is one carrier.

ET, you can't base your post on 'official' reports on communicable diseases any more than you can base a post about FM3 visas solely on what information is on the INAMI website. Personal on-site experience counts.

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Georgia

Jul 3, 2003, 7:28 AM

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Re: [njnomadlyn] malarie/typhoid shots/pills

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The Centers for Disease Controls in Atlanta, GA has a website that delineates malaria-prone areas for which your physician might want to prescribe anti-malarial medication. I believe that site will show that Lake Chapala is NOT in that area, but you should check it out yourself.

As for other problems such as typhoid and Hepatitis A: there are typhoid shots but they are not 100% effective. For Hepatitis A (equally a problem in the US as in Mexico) there is a two series set of innoculations that gives good protection. My husband and I have opted to have our whole family receive the Hepatitis A shots (even those who don't go to Mexico) because, while Hep A is generally not severe, it can be, and the shots are great protection from an avoidable and very common (in the USA and in Mexico) disease.

One of the best precautions is to be careful where you eat and make certain that the people preparing or serving food have access to toilet facilities that permit them to wash their hands. (In other words, avoid food vendors on the street for the most part.) You won't be here long enough to learn which ones have been around with no problems for a long time and are therefore probably safe to eat from.

njnomadlyn

Jul 4, 2003, 9:35 PM

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Re: [njnomadlyn] malarie/typhoid shots/pills

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I would like to thank all of you for your kind replies and advice. It is always best to get opinions from people who actually are familiar with the area.