Brunei
Emergency and routine care is available, however specialist work can not be provided
Supplies of international medications are generally available in Brunei
Blood supplies should be considered as unsafe in Brunei
There is adequate care for basic medical conditions in Brunei; however, due to unpredictable shortages of materials and uncertain support staff, any elective surgery or complicated care is best obtained in Singapore or elsewhere.
Recent medical and dental exams should ensure that the traveler is in good health. Carry appropriate health and accident insurance documents and copies of any important medical records. Bring an adequate supply of all prescription and other medications as well as any necessary personal hygiene items, including a spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses if necessary.
Drink only bottled beverages (including water) or beverages made with boiled water. Do not use ice cubes or eat raw seafood, rare meat or dairy products. Eat well-cooked foods while they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without contamination. Avoid roadside stands and street vendors.
Swim only in well-maintained, chlorinated pools or ocean water known to be free from pollution. Wear clothing which reduces exposed skin and apply repellents containing DEET to remaining areas. Sleep in well-screened accommodations. Carry anti-diarrheal medication. Reduce problems related to sun exposure by using sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen lotions and lip protection.
AIDS occurs. Blood supply may not be adequately screened and/or single-use, disposable needles and syringes may be unavailable. When possible, travelers should defer medical treatment until reaching a facility where safety can be assured.
Hepatitis A: Consider active immunization with hepatitis A vaccine or passive immunization with immune globulin (IG) for all susceptible travelers. Especially consider choosing active immunization for persons planning to reside for a long period or for persons who take frequent short-term trips to risk areas. The importance of protection against hepatitis A increases as length of stay increases. It is particularly important for persons who will be living in or visiting rural areas, eating or drinking in settings of poor or uncertain sanitation, or who will have close contact with local persons (especially young children) in settings with poor sanitary conditions.
Hepatitis B: Vaccination is advised for health care workers, persons anticipating direct contact with blood from or sexual contact with inhabitants, and persons planning extended stays of 6 months or greater (especially those who anticipate using local health care facilities, staying in rural areas, or having intimate contact with the local population).
Japanese Encephalitis: Consider vaccination if staying a month or more, especially if travel includes rural areas. Also consider if staying less than 30 days and at high risk (in case of epidemic outbreak or extensive outdoor exposure in rural areas).
Polio: A one-time booster dose is recommended for travelers who have previously completed a standard course of polio immunization. Refer to CDC guidelines for vaccinating unimmunized or incompletely immunized persons. Pregnancy is a relative contraindication to vaccination; however, if protection is needed, either IPV or OPV may be used, depending on preference and time available.
Typhoid: Vaccination should be considered for persons staying longer than 3 weeks, adventurous eaters, and those who will venture off the usual tourist routes into small cities, villages and rural areas. Importance of vaccination increases as access to reasonable medical care becomes limited. Contraindications depend on vaccine type.
Note: All routine vaccines (such as DTP or Td, Hib, MMR, polio, varicella, influenza and pneumococcal) should be kept up-to-date as a matter of good health practice unrelated to travel.
Insect-borne illness: considered an important cause of disease in this area.
Dengue fever - occurs
Dengue hemorrhagic fever - occurs
Encephalitis (Japanese type) - occurs (sporadic/endemic countrywide)
Filariasis - prevalent in rural areas
Typhus (mite-borne) - occurs in deforested areas
Food-borne and water-borne illness: these diseases are common.
Cholera - occurs
Dysentery (amoebic and bacillary) - occurs
Fasciolopsiasis (giant intestinal fluke) - occurs
Hepatitis (viral) - occurs
Melioidosis - occurs
Typhoid Fever - occurs
Other hazards:
High levels of immunization coverage have reduced the incidence of diseases such as measles and diphtheria. Polio is still considered a possible risk, although no cases have been reported in recent years.
Influenza risk extends throughout the year.
Rabies - occurs
Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas or who have passed through partly or wholly endemic areas within the preceding 6 days.
