Indonesia

COVID-19

Indonesia has implemented strict COVID-19 quarantine controls for foreign nationals. See Travel for details. 

If you’re an Australian visitor in Indonesia leave now – don’t delay. If you’re a long-term Australian resident of Indonesia, consider whether you have the support and access to effective health services you and your family will need. If in doubt, we recommend you return to Australia.

Foreign nationals are among those who have died from COVID-19 in Indonesia, including in Bali. COVID-19 transmission has now spread widely across the archipelago to all 34 provinces, including Bali. Testing and infection control facilities are limited. Critical care for Australians who become seriously ill, including in Bali, is significantly below the standard available in Australia. There is a critical lack of intensive care and ventilators. The Australian Government cannot guarantee your access to hospital and other health services in Indonesia. These services are already under significant strain in the current crisis.

Indonesian authorities advise that COVID-19 patients will be required to be treated in Indonesia and medical evacuation may not be permitted. Medical evacuation to Australia for non-COVID-19 conditions may not be possible. If medical evacuation is possible, it will be very expensive and may not be covered by travel insurance.

If you’re suspected or confirmed of having COVID-19, you’ll likely be placed in quarantine by Indonesian authorities and unable to leave Indonesia until cleared or recovered.

If you’re in Indonesia, see our bulletin on COVID-19 for advice on measures to reduce the risk of infection. 

More information:

Legionnaires’ disease

Cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been reported in people who have travelled to the Kuta region of 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 vaccine-derived polio virus (type 1) are reported in Papua Province.

Check that you’re vaccinated against polio.

Drink poisoning

People have been poisoned by alcoholic drinks contaminated with harmful substances, including methanol.

Cases of drink poisoning have been reported in Bali and Lombok.

Locals and foreigners, including Australians, have died or become seriously ill from poisoned drinks.

Contaminated drinks have included:

• local spirits
• spirit-based drinks, such as cocktails
• brand name alcohol

People have died after drinking contaminated arak, a traditional rice-based spirit.

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.

Rabies

Rabies is a risk throughout Indonesia, especially in:

• Bali
• nearby islands
• Nias, off the coast of Sumatra

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.

To protect yourself from rabies:

• avoid direct contact with dogs
• don’t feed or pat animals
• avoid contact with other animals, including bats

Talk to your doctor about getting a pre-exposure rabies vaccination if you’re planning to:

• stay in Indonesia for a long time
• work with animals

Avoid contact with monkeys, even in places where you’re encouraged to interact with them. This includes:

• popular markets
• tourist destinations
• sanctuaries

If bitten or scratched by an animal:

• immediately use soap and water to wash the wound thoroughly
• seek urgent medical attention

Rabies treatment in Indonesia may be limited. If you’re bitten you may need to return to Australia, or travel to another country, for immediate treatment.

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.

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

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

Zika virus

Zika virus can occur in Indonesia.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites.

The Australian Department of Health 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. It isn’t common in Jakarta.

Consider taking medicine to prevent malaria.

Dengue

Dengue occurs in Indonesia, including Bali 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.

There’s no vaccination or treatment available for dengue.

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.

More information:

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is a risk for travellers, particularly in Bali. 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.

In June 2019, a serious case highlighted the risks of black henna tattoos.

Read the original advice at SmartTraveller.gov.au by Australian Government