Bali is one of the most popular overseas destinations for Australians. It is close, relaxed and easy to get to, which also makes it easy to skip the pre-travel health check. A short appointment with a travel doctor before you go can help you avoid the most common Bali health problems, from Bali belly to dengue and animal bites.
This guide covers the vaccinations commonly recommended for Bali, the health risks Australian travellers are most likely to come across, and what to do if something goes wrong while you are away.
Key points
- Several vaccines are commonly recommended for Bali, including hepatitis A, typhoid and an up-to-date measles vaccination. Rabies and Japanese encephalitis vaccines are worth discussing for some travellers.
- Rabies has been present in Bali since 2008. Any bite or scratch from a dog, cat, monkey or other mammal needs prompt medical care.
- Dengue is spread by day-biting mosquitoes in Bali. A dengue vaccine, Qdenga, is now available in Australia for some travellers.
- The resort areas of Bali have no malaria transmission, so most Bali travellers do not need malaria tablets.
- Aim to see a travel doctor 4 to 6 weeks before you fly, though a last-minute appointment is still worthwhile.
Heading to Bali? A TMA travel doctor can tailor your vaccines and advice to your trip.
Do I need vaccinations for Bali?
Most Australian travellers to Bali are advised to have at least some vaccinations before they go. Smartraveller's advice for Indonesia is to consult your travel doctor on vaccine requirements before you travel and to make sure your vaccines are up to date.
The right vaccines for you depend on more than the destination. A travel doctor will consider:
- how long you are staying and how often you travel to Bali or other parts of Asia
- where you are staying (resort areas, villas, or rural and village areas)
- what you plan to do, such as surfing, hiking, motorbike riding or visiting temples where monkeys gather
- your age, health conditions, medicines, pregnancy plans and vaccination history
Vaccines commonly recommended for Bali
Routine vaccines, including measles
Before any overseas trip, check that your routine vaccines are up to date. The Australian Immunisation Handbook advises that Australians born in or after 1966 who have not had 2 doses of a measles-containing vaccine should generally have the MMR vaccine before travel. Measles is highly contagious and still circulates in many countries. Our measles and travel checklist explains how to check your status.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a liver infection spread through contaminated food and water. The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends hepatitis A vaccine for all travellers aged 1 year and over to countries where the infection is common, unless they are already immune. A single dose gives good short-term protection, and a second dose later provides long-term protection.
Typhoid
Typhoid is a bacterial infection also spread through contaminated food and water. The Handbook notes that typhoid vaccine may be recommended for travellers aged 2 years and over going to endemic regions, which include most of Southeast Asia. It is available as an injection or as oral capsules, and your travel doctor can advise which suits you.
Rabies
Smartraveller notes that rabies is present throughout Indonesia, and the Bali provincial government reports the island has been managing rabies since its first outbreak in 2008. Dogs, cats and monkeys are the main sources, and bites can happen even when you do not approach an animal.
Pre-exposure rabies vaccination can be given over two visits a week apart. It does not remove the need for treatment after a bite, but it means you need fewer doses afterwards and you do not need rabies immunoglobulin, which can be hard to find overseas. The Handbook suggests a lower threshold for vaccinating children, as they are more likely to be bitten on the face and head.
Japanese encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes, and Smartraveller reports it has been diagnosed in Australians returning from tourist areas such as Bali. The Handbook recommends JE vaccine for travellers spending a month or more in endemic areas, and suggests considering it for shorter trips during the wet season, for repeat travellers, and for people spending a lot of time outdoors or in rural areas. Adults can usually be vaccinated with a single dose of Imojev, or two doses of JEspect 28 days apart.
Dengue
Bali has frequent dengue outbreaks. A dengue vaccine called Qdenga is now available in Australia, and national advice recommends it for some travellers, particularly people who have had dengue before. It is given as two doses at least 12 weeks apart, so it needs planning. Read our guide to dengue fever and the dengue vaccine for the details.
How to avoid Bali belly
Bali belly is the local name for travellers' diarrhoea. It is usually caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites in food or water, and Smartraveller notes that foodborne and waterborne diseases are widespread in Indonesia. Most cases are mild and settle within a few days, but they can still cost you several days of your holiday.
To lower your risk:
- drink bottled, boiled or treated water, and check bottle seals are intact
- be cautious with ice, salads, raw seafood and unpeeled fruit unless you trust where they came from
- choose food that is freshly cooked and served hot
- wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before eating
- pack oral rehydration salts in your travel medical kit
If you do get diarrhoea, Healthdirect advises drinking clear fluids or an oral rehydration solution to replace lost fluids. Seek medical advice if you have blood or mucus in your stool, a fever, signs of dehydration or diarrhoea that does not settle. Do not take anti-diarrhoeal medicine if you have a fever or blood in your stool. Your travel doctor can talk to you about what to pack, especially if you have a health condition or are travelling with children.
What to do if you are bitten or scratched by an animal in Bali
Treat every bite or scratch from a mammal as a possible rabies exposure, even if the wound is small or the animal looks healthy.
- Wash the wound straight away and thoroughly with soap and running water.
- Apply an antiseptic such as povidone-iodine if you have it.
- Get medical care the same day for assessment and post-exposure treatment.
- Keep a record of any vaccines you receive and bring it home.
Smartraveller warns that rabies treatment in Indonesia may be limited, so you may need to travel to another location for care. If you start treatment overseas, the Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends completing the course in Australia. Contact a TMA clinic or your GP as soon as you are home.
Dengue and mosquitoes in Bali
The mosquitoes that spread dengue bite during the day, not just at dusk. Pool decks, gardens and cafés are all places you can be bitten.
- Use a repellent containing DEET or picaridin on exposed skin, reapplying after swimming or sweating.
- Bring repellent from home, as products sold overseas may not be tested to Australian standards.
- Wear loose, light-coloured clothing that covers your arms and legs when you can.
- Choose accommodation with air conditioning or screens on windows.
Our mosquito protection tips for travellers go into more detail.
If you develop a fever during or after your trip, see a doctor and tell them where you have travelled. Use paracetamol for fever rather than aspirin or ibuprofen until dengue has been ruled out, as anti-inflammatory medicines can increase the risk of bleeding.
Methanol poisoning
Smartraveller reports cases of methanol poisoning in Indonesia, including in Bali and Lombok, often linked to drinks made with contaminated spirits or arak. As little as one shot can be fatal. Drink only at licensed venues, avoid homemade or unbranded spirits, and get medical help quickly if you or a friend feel much sicker than expected after drinking.
When should I see a travel doctor before Bali?
Healthdirect recommends seeing your doctor or a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before you travel. This gives time for vaccines that need more than one dose, such as rabies pre-exposure vaccination or the two-dose dengue vaccine, and for your immunity to build.
If you are leaving sooner, an appointment is still worthwhile. Many vaccines can be given close to departure, and some courses can be given on an accelerated schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need malaria tablets for Bali?
Usually not. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists no malaria transmission in the resort areas of Bali, Ubud or Jakarta. Malaria is present in other parts of Indonesia, including the eastern provinces such as Papua and East Nusa Tenggara, so let your travel doctor know if you are travelling beyond Bali.
Do I need a rabies vaccine for Bali?
It is not compulsory, but it is worth discussing. Rabies is present in Bali, and pre-exposure vaccination makes treatment after a bite simpler. It is often recommended for children, longer stays, repeat visitors and people likely to be around animals.
How long before Bali should I get vaccinated?
Ideally 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Some vaccines need two doses or time to work, but a last-minute appointment is better than none.
Can I drink the tap water in Bali?
It is best to avoid tap water. Stick to bottled, boiled or treated water, including for brushing your teeth if you have a sensitive stomach.
Where can I get vaccinated for Bali?
Every Travel Medicine Alliance (TMA) clinic offers pre-travel consultations and vaccinations. Find your nearest TMA clinic or call 1300 42 11 42 to be connected to the closest clinic.
Book your Bali travel health appointment
TMA clinics are medical practices with substantial experience in travel medicine, located across Australia. Your doctor will look at your itinerary and health history and help you plan the vaccines, medicines and precautions that suit your trip. Make an appointment or find your local travel medicine doctor.
This article provides general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Recommendations change, so speak with your doctor before you travel.
Sources
- Smartraveller: Indonesia travel advice
- Australian Immunisation Handbook: Vaccination for international travellers
- Australian Immunisation Handbook: Rabies and other lyssaviruses
- Bali Provincial Government: Rabies in Bali
- Healthdirect: Dengue fever
- Healthdirect: Diarrhoea
- CDC: Malaria information by country (Indonesia)
Ready to plan your Bali travel health?
>