The upcoming 3-day visit of Pope Francis to Timor-Leste commencing on September 9, 2024, is expected to draw nearly one million visitors to Dili. Catholics from West Timor, other parts of SE Asia and the Darwin expatriate Timorese community are expected to attend.

Such a significant mass gathering presents unique challenges for Timor-Leste’s already stretched health infrastructure. Individuals travelling to Dili during this period, and for some time after, should be aware that they may face extra health risks as outlined below.

Infectious diseases

Crowded events bring with them the risk of respiratory infections such as influenza and covid. It is impossible to maintain a metre space between you and the next person A mildly unwell person is very unlikely to cancel their travel for such a highly anticipated event.

Pre-travel vaccination might be wise not just for the over-65’s. Those at extra risk due to age and pre-existing health conditions might choose to revisit mask wearing.

Timor-Leste is an endemic area for several mosquito-borne diseases including malaria, dengue fever, zika and chikungunya. In recent years the risk of contracting malaria in Dili has been significantly reduced. There may be a resurgence of cases in the capital in the weeks following the event as local vectors will have had the opportunity to feed off visitors staying in Dili from more malarial rural areas. The dengue fever mosquito is very abundant in poor areas of the tropics where container waste abounds. Any traveller developing an illness with fever in the days and weeks after the event needs to be checked for mosquito-borne illness.

As a traveller, it is always important to be well-prepared against mosquito-borne diseases by avoiding mozzie bites.

Environmental health and sanitation challenges

An influx of up to a million visitors will undoubtedly strain the existing sanitation infrastructure in Dili. Overcrowding can lead to inadequate waste disposal, which can contribute to the spread of food and waterborne diseases such as infectious diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid to mention a few. Traveller’s diarrhoea is common problem in Dili for travellers from high-income countries under normal circumstances.

As a traveller, ensuring you have access to clean water and adequate sanitation facilities is crucial. Food safety is an increased concern at mass catering events. It may be wise to carry some packaged food from home in anticipation of long queues at food outlets.

Eating and drinking safely when in a contaminated environment is very important if you are to stay healthy.  

Security and crowd management

The sheer magnitude of the expected crowds raises concerns around crowd safety. During peak events, the risk of crowd crush incidents is high. Opportunistic crime, including theft and assault, may also increase.

Preparing for a safe and healthy trip to Timor-Leste

Pope Francis’s visit to Timor-Leste is an historic event that presents significant public health challenges for the authorities in Dili as well as those in neighbouring regions with returning attendees.

Prioritising hygiene, sanitation and vector control will be at the forefront of public health preparedness. As an individual traveller, it is important to be self-aware in terms of prevention strategies and self-sufficient with respect to dealing with less serious problems. Local medical facilities will be over-burdened. Carry an adequate medical and first-aid kit.  Manage minor cuts and wounds and treat travellers’ diarrhoea yourself. Be responsible for your own mosquito avoidance, safe hydration and personal security.

Be aware that symptoms may present sometime after you have returned home and be sure to tell your doctor you have just visited the beautiful and friendly nation of Timor-Leste.