Earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia

28 October 2010

Read our advice for those travelling to Indonesia in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami.

An earthquake of 7.7 magnitude followed by a tsunami with waves reported to be 3 metres high has occurred.

There are reported to be over 300 people dead and many more missing. At least 10 villages on the Pagai islands are thought to have been flattened with 4,000 people displaced by the tsunami.

In addition Mount Merapi which first erupted on October 26th has resulted in 40,000 villagers being evacuated from its slopes on the outskirts of Yogyakarta on Java island. 28 people have been killed by the deadly bursts of hot air released from the volcano. It remains unstable.

Recommendations for travellers to this region are as follows:

Diphtheria & Tetanus
Hepatitis A
Typhoid
Hepatitis B
Japanese encephalitis
Rabies

There is a risk of malaria. Choose one of the following for malaria prevention:

Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone)
OR Doxycycline
OR Mefloquine (Lariam)

Additional links:

Dengue fever
Earthquakes & how to survive them

Source: Reuters
InterHealth information sheets