Singaporean’s Birthday Beach Getaway in Batam Turns Sour After Sandfly Attack

A young woman’s birthday celebration in Batam took a turn for the worse when a beach outing resulted in an unexpected trip to the hospital.

In a TikTok video posted on Dec 3, Natalie shared how her face began to swell after spending time at the beach. Initially thinking she was having an allergic reaction to seafood, she soon realized the cause was much more irritating—sandfly bites.

“Sandflies bit me all over my face, my neck, everywhere,” Natalie explained in the clip, adding that she also broke out in hives and found it hard to breathe properly.

Luckily, staff at Harris Resort Barelang, where she was staying, quickly came to her aid. “The resort staff were so nice; they took us to the hospital and stayed with us the whole time to bring us back,” she said, expressing her gratitude for their help.

However, the hospital experience was less reassuring. Natalie mentioned a language barrier that left her feeling uneasy, as the medical staff seemed uncertain about what to do. Eventually, they administered a steroid jab to treat her symptoms.

AsiaOne has reached out to Natalie for more details.

Sandfly Bites
According to SingHealth, while sandfly bites can transmit dangerous diseases in some parts of the world, they are usually just a minor nuisance in Southeast Asia. Symptoms include itching, swelling, and rashes, with more severe cases resulting in widespread rashes. Treatment typically involves antihistamines, topical steroids, and antibiotics if infection occurs.

To avoid sandfly bites, SingHealth advises wearing protective clothing at the beach and using insect repellents containing DEET. Though commonly found on beaches, sandflies can also be present in other areas.

Earlier this year, a diner at Essen@The Anchorvale was bitten 40 times while sitting in the outdoor area of the food court. The establishment apologized and shared that they use insecticides and UV-light insect catchers outdoors, recommending diners sit indoors to avoid bites.

In Natalie’s case, what was meant to be a fun beach getaway quickly turned into a lesson in beach safety and the importance of insect repellent.

melissateo@asiaone.com