4 replies to this topic

[okuma]

Just returned from two weeks on CHERTAN out of Milne Bay. As usual, diving was great. Water was constant 81/82*

Motels in Moresby are now pushing $400/night due to booming PNG economy.
We lucked out with the following flights: Los Angeles to Singapore via Sing Air. Over nighted at Sing airport. Next day, Air Nuigini to Moresby and then 3 hours wait to Milne Bay on local commuter. This routing enabled us to check bags Los Angeles to Moresby directly. Reversed the route for return. Wife and I had 4 checked bags at 49 lbs each and one roll on and small back pack. No over weight charges on any flight!!! This is first time in 8 trips to PNG we were not charged for over weight.

On way home, the Air Nuigini stews said the "best?" routing was Los Angeles to Fiji, over night then on to Moresby, but this could require recheck of bags when over nighting in Nandi?

Was introduced to a new malaria drug highly in use there. Named "Artemedine" (also called Artemether) A weight based dose pack combination of a Chinese herb tablets and then several doses of Fansidar (a common sulpha based drug). You take it when you come down with malaria and as reported by Rob, ship captian who has used it, you start to feel better in one day. It will kill the bugs you have, but will not immunuize you from future infections. We bought several treatment packages at US$12.00 each. Supposed to work on all strains .
Local US pharmacy never heard of this and not in their database.
Can any out there expand on this?

Edited by okuma, 05 November 2010 - 09:21 PM.

[Drew]

Was introduced to a new malaria drug highly in use there. Named "Artemedine" (also called Artemether) A weight based dose pack combination of a Chinese herb tablets and then several doses of Fansidar (a common sulpha based drug). You take it when you come down with malaria and as reported by Rob, ship captian who has used it, you start to feel better in one day. It will kill the bugs you have, but will not immunuize you from future infections. We bought several treatment packages at US$12.00 each. Supposed to work on all strains .
Local US pharmacy never heard of this and not in their database.
Can any out there expand on this?

AN IMPORTANT WARNING ABOUT USING ARTEMEDINE: Artemedine is effective only in conjunction with another drug which I can't remember the name of. The name of the Malarial Treatment drug is COARTEM. Artemedine was released as a herbal medication for treating Malaria. However, WHO and other medical institutions have only endorsed COARTEM as a treatment for Malaria. In fact, the fear is using Artemedine alone will not cure the patient but build resistance against other treatments like Coartem. This was explained to me by a friend who worked with MVI, the UNF and UAM in Africa.
While I'm kinda new agey with homeopathic treatments for minor stuff, I believe any treatment that builds resistance to treatment should not be used at all.
Of course this is not medical advice, so check with the CDC and your smarter travel doctor.

Motels in Moresby are now pushing $400/night due to booming PNG economy.

Also because the US$ has dropped so much! But it's a great thing, why should LA be the only city with $400 rooms that suck!

On way home, the Air Nuigini stews said the "best?" routing was Los Angeles to Fiji, over night then on to Moresby, but this could require recheck of bags when over nighting in Nandi?

I like LAX-SIN-POM the most because it's easiest to catch the domestic flights from POM to wherever you are going to. It's certainly not the cheapest way to go. Plus everyone should try diving in POM anyhow on either end of the trip anyhow.
A quicker connection is LAX-BNE-POM (Brisbane), all in under 20 hrs. No overnighting BUT one has to deal with Brisbane Airport's PITA overzealous gate staff who like to weigh cabin luggage and enforce the rules to the letter and then some! I detest flying Australia personally but many people I know take this route with no issues (but they don't have 28kg of cabin luggage to try pass off as 7kg.
Neither of them require an overnight on most days of the week I believe.

[AllisonFinch]

There's nothing new about fansidar. It has been around forever.I've used it ( long time ago) and don't like it. And, the "Chinese herb" is used by expats because none of the real antimalarials are able to be used over long periods of time. THAT is why locals use it. Not because it is the best idea for travelers.

Travelers should take REAL antimalarials because it stops malaria in its tracks. Not makes you feel better once you get it. Malaria is nothing to thumb your nose at. I have been to PNG many times and have seen malaria up close and personal. I will never risk my health. I now use Malarone, as I have had no problems with any side effects with it.

Edited by AllisonFinch, 16 November 2010 - 09:22 PM.

[Simon Rogerson]

I'm always a bit wary of amateur local advice on malaria, especially when it is prefixed by "... anyway, malaria's not that bad really...". I consulted my GP, who looked up the current NHS advice (that's National Health Service. We're essentially socialists in the UK, don't forget) and gave me a choice of three drugs. One would make me super-susceptible to sunburn, one would likely awaken deep-seated psychosis, and the other... was expensive. I took Malarone, went diving, took photos, didn't get malaria. A triumph for medical science. And socialism.

[paquito]

For the time when we were in southern Africa, while in malaria known hotspots, we were prescribed Malarone and did take it without any issues or side-effects. Lariam (mefloquine), as many of you know is not suggested for those who are diving or pilots. When we discussed Lariam with our travel clinic here who was prescribing our malaria medication, they said Lariam really is not considered anymore EXCEPT for those who are going to be in malaria infected areas for long periods at a time. Since one should take many of the malaria medications at the same time of time, each day, those who are in-country for long periods may have trouble staying on a regular regimine. We were in safari camps for only about 12days, so it was not a problem.

Another source of information is here