Emergency Telephone Numbers
CT Medical Clinic
Emergency medicine, Outpatient clinic, Ambulance service to Phnom Penh. Open 24h. English-speaking doctor. Tel: 016 858 391, 012 723 338
Sihanoukville Fire Police
Ekareach Street near Victory Hill. Tel: 016 606 342
S.O.S. Medical Clinic (Phnom Penh)
Top clinic in Cambodia, emergency evacuation arranged. Tel: 023 216 911
ChildSafe Hotline (Sihanoukville) Tel: 012 478 100
Dengue Fever
Dengue Fever is contractible in Cambodia, particularly in the wet season. In 2007, 40, 000 cases were reported and 10, 000 in 2008. Most death were children and elderly people. Healthy adults can usually recover within a few days. Dengue Fever is spread by mosquitos into the bloodstream of humans. Symptoms include a sudden onset of severe headache, muscle and joint pains and a rash. There may also be abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. The illness I diagnosed by testing the blood. CT Medical Clinic in Sihanoukville can perform a blood test to confirm the illness. There is no vaccine for Dengue Fever so the only way to protect you is prevention. Avoid open water storage containers, usually for showering or cleaning feet, which comprise an estimated 80 percent of the Dengue mosquitoes’ breeding sites in Cambodia. Also, wear a mosquito repellant containing DEET, especially in the evenings and in wooded areas. If you are sleeping in a room that is not sealed (particularly a wooden bungalow) use a mosquito net.
Buying Medicine
If you need to buy medicine in Cambodia, make sure that what you buy is branded and has a manufactured on and expiry date. Approximately 30% of the pharmaceuticals sold in Cambodia are considered to be faked. As a rule of thumb, look for drugs that are manufactured in Korea, Japan, Thailand, India or Western countries and never take anything that is not branded.
Safety Guide
Over the past few months, many bag snatchings and attacks have occurred in tourist areas of Sihanoukville. Keep money and valuables well-hidden under clothing. Also avoid walking alone in isolated areas of the beach at any time of day. Attacks have been reported at the south end of Ochheuteal Beach and the rocky point connecting Sokha and Ochheuteal beaches. Tourists are advised to be vigilant and maintain a high level of awareness at all times. If you are attacked, please report the crime to the police and your embassy. This will help bring the police to take action to prevent future incidents.
