Critical care for Australians who become seriously ill, including in Bali, is significantly below the standard available in Australia. Medical evacuation may not be possible.
The Australian Government cannot guarantee your access to hospitals and other health services in Indonesia.
Medical evacuation to Australia for medical conditions, is possible but is very expensive and may not be covered by travel insurance. Check your policy before you travel.
Ban on sale of liquid/syrup medication
The Indonesian Ministry of Health (MoH) has advised local health workers and pharmacists to stop selling liquid/syrup medication, including commonly used medications containing paracetamol and cough syrups. MoH and the Indonesian Paediatrician Association (IDAI) received reports of a sharp increase in cases of Atypical Progressive Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in children, especially under the age of 5 years.
Insect-borne illnesses
Insect-borne illnesses are common throughout the year.
To protect yourself from disease:
- research your destination
- ask locals for advice
- make sure your accommodation is mosquito-proof
- use insect repellent
- wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
Dengue
Dengue occurs throughout Indonesia, including Bali, Jakarta and other major cities.
Dengue is common during the rainy season.
Australian health authorities have reported an increase in dengue infections in people returning from Bali in recent years.
Consult your travel doctor for further information on available vaccines and their suitability for your individual circumstances.
Zika virus
Zika virus can occur in Indonesia.
Protect yourself from mosquito bites.
The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care advises pregnant women to:
- discuss any travel plans with their doctor
- consider deferring non-essential travel to affected areas
Malaria
Malaria, including chloroquine-resistant strains, is widespread in rural areas, particularly in the provinces of Papua, Papua Pegunungan, Papua Tengah, Papua Selatan, Papua Barat Daya, Papua Barat, Maluku and Nusa Tenggara Timur. There is no malaria transmission in Jakarta.
- Consider taking medicine to prevent malaria.
Japanese encephalitis and filariasis
Japanese encephalitis and filariasis occur in Indonesia, especially in rural agricultural areas.
Japanese encephalitis has been present in Australian travellers returning from Indonesia, including Bali.
Vaccination is recommended for certain groups of travellers.
More information:
Drink poisoning
People have been poisoned by alcoholic drinks contaminated with harmful substances, including methanol and arak (a traditional rice-based spirit). Locals and foreigners, including Australians, have died or become seriously ill from poisoned drinks.
Cases of drink poisoning have been reported in Bali and Lombok.
Contaminated drinks have included:
- local spirits
- spirit-based drinks, such as cocktails
- brand name alcohol
To protect yourself from drink poisoning:
- consider the risks when drinking alcoholic beverages
- be careful drinking cocktails and drinks made with spirits
- drink only at reputable licensed premises
- avoid home-made alcoholic drinks
Labels on bottles aren’t always accurate.
Symptoms of methanol poisoning can be similar to drinking too much. However, they are usually stronger.
Symptoms of methanol poisoning include:
- fatigue
- headaches
- nausea
- vision problems
Vision problems may include:
- blindness, blurred or snowfield vision
- changes in colour perception
- difficulty looking at bright lights
- dilated pupils
- flashes of light
- tunnel vision
If you suspect that you or someone you’re travelling with may have been poisoned, act quickly. Urgent medical attention could save your life or save you from permanent disability.
Report suspected cases of methanol poisoning to the Indonesian police.
Magic mushrooms
Don’t consume magic mushrooms. They’re illegal.
Australians have become sick or injured after taking magic mushrooms.
Australians have been in trouble with local police after taking magic mushrooms, particularly in Bali.
Magic mushrooms can cause major health problems, including:
- anxiety
- erratic behaviour
- psychosis
- severe hallucinations
Rabies
Rabies is a risk throughout Indonesia, especially in:
- Bali
- Nusa Tenggara Timur, including Labuan Bajo
- South Sulawesi
- West Kalimantan
- Nias, off the west coast of Sumatra
To protect yourself from rabies:
- avoid direct contact with dogs
- don’t feed or pat animals
- avoid contact with other animals, including bats and monkeys.
Talk to your doctor about getting a pre-exposure rabies vaccination.
If bitten or scratched by an animal:
- immediately use soap and water to wash the wound thoroughly for 15 minutes
- seek urgent medical attention.
Rabies treatment in Indonesia may be limited, including the rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin availability. If you’re bitten, you may need to return to Australia or travel to another country for immediate treatment.
You’re at risk of contracting rabies if you visit a market where live animals and fresh food are sold because:
- live rabies-positive dogs may be present
- rabies-positive dog meat may be sold as food
Selling dog meat for human consumption is a breach of government disease control regulations.
Avoid contact with monkeys, even in places where you’re encouraged to interact with them. This includes:
- popular markets
- tourist destinations
- sanctuaries
- forests
Legionnaires’ disease
Cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been reported in people who have travelled to Bali. Travellers who are unwell with flu-like symptoms within 10 days of returning from Bali are advised to consult their GPs.
More information:
Polio
Cases of poliovirus (type 1) have been reported in the provinces of Papua, Papua Pegunungan, Papua Tengah and Papua Selatan. Poliovirus (type 2) cases have been reported in the provinces of Aceh, East, West and Central Java. There may be unreported cases in other provinces in Indonesia.
Ensure that you’re vaccinated against polio.
More information:
Measles
Periodic outbreaks of measles continue to be reported in Indonesia, including Bali.
You need 2 doses of vaccine 4 weeks apart to be fully vaccinated against measles.
If you have symptoms of measles, seek medical attention.
Measles is highly infectious. Call before attending a healthcare facility.
Nipah Virus and Yellow Fever
There are no cases of Nipah virus or Yellow Fever in Indonesia. You may be temperature checked on arrival at international and domestic airports. If you have fever symptoms, you may be referred to the airport clinic for further tests and asked to seek medical treatment. See your doctor or travel clinic before you travel to plan any vaccinations you need.
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS is a risk for travellers. Take steps to reduce your risk of exposure to the virus.
Other health risks
Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are widespread. These include:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
To protect yourself from illness:
- boil drinking water or drink bottled water
- avoid ice cubes
- avoid raw food, such as salads
To minimise the risk of food poisoning, only eat meat from reputable suppliers.
Seek urgent medical attention if you suspect food poisoning or have a fever or diarrhoea.
Seafood toxins
You can become sick from naturally occurring seafood toxins, including:
Tattoos
Avoid temporary black henna tattoos. The dye often causes serious skin reactions.
Before you get any tattoo, check the hygiene and safety of your tattoo provider.