Brunei Health
A rarity in this part of Southeast Asia, Brunei is completely free of malaria and other common tropical diseases. The nation’s healthcare system is among the best in Asia, so visitors should have little to worry about despite the steamy tropical conditions. There are a number of excellent private health clinics in each district, and for anything serious the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital (RIPAS) in Brunei’s capital has every modern facility imaginable.
It is suggested that every visitor to Brunei have comprehensive medical insurance. If your local policy doesn’t cover travel abroad, buying a separate travel insurance policy will cover any unforeseen medical expenses. The health facilities in Brunei maintain the highest standards, but the government does not provide free medical care for foreigners. The medical administration also reserves the right to vaccinate anyone upon arrival who is deemed a risk or does not have required health certificates from areas where yellow fever is endemic.
Vaccinations
Although no special vaccinations are required to enter Brunei, inoculation regulations can change on short notice. Check with government websites to keep up to date. It is advised that all travelers have vaccinations for hepatitis A, tetanus, and typhoid.
Mosquitoe Related Diseases
As with any hot country in Asia, Brunei has a problem with mosquitoes and the diseases they carry. While there is low risk of malaria, other diseases such as dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis are present here. In addition, the neighboring Malaysian provinces of Sabah and Sawarak are big malaria candidates.
Both dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever are in urban and rural areas of Brunei. They cause fever, headaches, and muscle aches and are transmitted by infected aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Contrary to popular belief, these mosquitoes are out and about mainly during daylight hours, so you should always use a repellent containing DEET on exposed areas of the skin at all times. There is no medication or vaccination to prevent dengue.
Japanese encephalitis is also transmitted by mosquitoes and is present year-round in rural areas of Brunei. Luckily, there is a vaccine against it but it is only really necessary to have the vaccine if you are outdoors for extended periods, such as on a trekking expedition.
The main areas to be wary of are in the Temburong district and near the Sabah and Sawarak borders in general. You should also cover up when visiting Ulu Temburong National Park and Belalong National Park.
Mosquitoes are most prevalent when it rains and the summer monsoon season in Brunei brings great swathes of them. Wearing sleeves and long pants helps to prevent bites and the use of an insect repellent containing 25 to 50 percent DEET on exposed skin is the way to go. Applying permethrin solution or spray to clothing is also recommended. Mosquitoes are more attracted to dark clothing.
Stomach Related Diseases
Travelers' diarrhea is the single biggest illness for visitors to Asia. It is usually caused by eating undercooked food or drinking unclean water, yet can also comes on through simply eating different spices and being in a different climate. The chance of picking up some type of stomach illness is highest when eating at a market stall.
The tap water in Bandar Seri Begawan, the Brunei capital, is said to be safe, but it is best to err on the side of caution and always stick to bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth. Be careful when eating at a market stall and make sure the chef cooks the food fresh in front of you. Only eat salads in higher quality restaurants.
Most people who end up with travelers' diarrhea usually have a mild problem and won’t require antidiarrheal drugs or antibiotics. Taking in lots of fluids and salts and giving up alcohol for a few days usually does the trick. When more serious - three loose stools in eight hours, or five over the course of a day, coupled with vomiting, nausea, and fever – it is time to start taking antidiarrheals, like Imodium.
If the diarrhea persists, gets more severe, or is accompanied by chills and abdominal pain for more than 72 hours, it is time to seek medical help.
The food additive MSG (monosodium glutamate), widely used throughout Asia to enhance the flavor of cooked dishes, can cause stomach upsets in Westerners. It makes the food taste better, helping to blend the various flavors, but if you have an intolerance to it, it can cause stomach bloating and nausea.
Other Diseases to be Aware of
Tuberculosis (TB) is endemic in Brunei, with around 40 cases per 100,000 of the populace, but is of low risk to most travelers. It is a feverous infection that is transmitted by inhaling respiratory droplets. Those most at risk are long-term travelers staying with friends or relatives in Brunei. Having a booster injection before leaving home is recommended for those fitting this category.
Typhoid is a problem anywhere in Southeast Asia, yet if you are here for the short term and don’t plan on eating outside of major restaurants and hotels, you needn’t get vaccinated against typhoid. It is most prevalent in smaller towns, villages, communities, and rural areas, and when staying with friends or relatives where exposure might occur through food or water.
Cholera has occurred sporadically in Brunei, although the risk to travelers is very low. It is an acute intestinal infection which is caused by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. There is a vaccine for cholera if you fit into the category of health-care professionals working in remote, unsanitary areas.
Rabies, an acute viral disease transmitted through animal bites, is also present throughout Brunei. It is of little danger to the average traveler, however, unless they plan on coming into contact with animals. Dogs, monkeys, and bats are particularly prone to rabies. Those who plan on spending lots of time in the national parks should consider the rabies vaccine.
Special Precautions
The main threat to tourists visiting Brunei is from the heat and picking up a bout of diarrhea through ingesting dodgy food or water. With the exception of Singapore, Brunei is the cleanest and safest country in Southeast Asia and the great majority of tourists won’t run into problems regards health.
Covering up from the midday sun is essential in this part of the world. Brunei is not far from the equator and remains brutally hot and humid throughout the year. It gets particularly humid from June through August during the monsoon season, when consuming adequate water is a must. Adding a sachet of electrolytes to your first glass of water of the morning is a good idea while you acclimatize.
If you have come direct to Brunei from a cold climate, spend the first few days acclimatizing by keeping out of the sun and make sure your hotel has air conditioning. The beaches near the town of Seria are lovely but any sunbathing should be done in the morning or late afternoon. Use a high-factor brand name sun block on exposed skin, together with a hat and genuine sunglasses when out and about.
It is generally safe to swim outdoors in Brunei, both at the beaches and inland within the national parks. However, you should heed any local advice regarding box jellyfish/chirodropids at the coast and river flukes in the inland streams and rivers before taking a dip.
Food and Drink
The food in restaurants should be perfectly safe to eat. Brunei maintains high standards of hygiene, but when consuming food such as seafood and meat be sure that it has been thoroughly cooked. The milk in Brunei is unpasteurized, and is best avoided along with any other dairy products unless they are imported. Vegetables are safest if they have been cooked, and fruit if it has been peeled.
Use discretion when eating food purchased from street vendors, ensuring the food is freshly cooked and piping hot. If you’re going to develop a spot of Brunei belly, it will invariably be from eating out at the likes of the Tamu night market.
Despite the high standards of living in Brunei, tap water should be considered unsafe to drink. Bottled drinking water is readily available in every town, so stick to that even when eating out. Although the Brunei authorities proudly proclaim the capital to have clean tap water, sticking to bottled water is the best bet. The free water and ice served at most restaurants has been filtered and is okay to drink. You can take your cue from the locals as they won't be drinking tap water in areas of the country that don’t have clean supplies.
Medications
Ensure you have hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tetanus, tuberculosis, and typhoid jabs or boosters for any vaccinations that are out of date. Most of these diseases won’t apply to the average tourist and are only really of concern to those traveling extensively within Brunei. Dengue fever is a real threat any time of year, however, in both rural and urban Brunei and using DEET insect repellant is a must.
There is currently no risk of malaria in Brunei, yet you should speak with your GP if you plan on crossing into Bornean Malaysia from Brunei. Having antidiarrheals in your first-aid kit is a good idea. The hospitals and pharmacies in Brunei are first class and have virtually all known medicines, but it pays to have these medications when traveling in rural areas like the Temburong district.
Health Facilities
Brunei is an extremely rich nation, per capita, and there is no scrimping on health facilities. There are many excellent hospitals and clinics here that are run by competent, English-speaking medical staff. Some of the facilities and methods are even more advanced than in the West and you should have no problem in sourcing any type of medication.
Medical care facilities open to tourists include four government hospitals and two private ones. The Jerudong Park Medical Center private hospital is open to the public and is an excellent facility along with those in Bandar. Medical facilities are of a high standard but also come at a price so having medical insurance is a must.
Recent Outbreaks
An outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease hit Brunei in March 2006. It is an infection characterized by fever, and blisters and rashes on the hands, feet, and mouth and is contracted through feces. It is thus a low risk to tourists, yet exercising good personal hygiene after visiting the toilet is advised.
Swine flu also hit Brunei in June 2009, as with virtually everywhere else in Asia. It has not been reported to have spread throughout the country, being restricted to a few students. Antivirals can counter the effects and you should visit a hospital if you display persistent flu-like symptoms.
