Flourish Health & Wellbeing eMag - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 13
Food, water and the holiday stomach bug
Some of the most common travelrelated infections are spread through
contaminated food and water. Hepatitis A
and typhoid are two important examples.
Hepatitis A is a liver infection that can be
picked up through contaminated food
or water and is more common in areas
with poor sanitation. Typhoid fever is
also spread through contaminated food
and water and can cause serious illness.
While good food and water hygiene
remain essential, vaccination can provide
an important layer of protection for
travellers heading to higher risk regions.
That said, vaccines are not a free pass
to ignore food safety. Travellers should
still be careful with untreated water, ice,
raw foods, undercooked foods and food
prepared in unhygienic conditions. A
simple rule of thumb is to be cautious with
anything that may have been washed,
prepared or stored in unsafe water.
Mosquitoes, animals and unexpected risks
Not all travel health risks come from
food or people. Some are spread by
mosquitoes or animals. Yellow fever and
Japanese encephalitis are examples of
mosquito-borne diseases that may be
relevant for certain destinations. Yellow
fever vaccination can also be an entry
requirement for some countries, and it
must be given by an approved yellow fever
vaccination provider. Travellers may need
an International Certi昀椀cate of Vaccination
or Prophylaxis as proof.
Rabies is another disease to discuss with
a travel health professional, particularly
if you are travelling to areas where rabies
is present and may be around dogs,
monkeys, bats or other animals. Rabies is
almost always fatal once symptoms begin,
so prevention and prompt treatment after
a bite or scratch are critical.
Even when a vaccine is available, practical
precautions still matter. Avoiding mosquito
bites, using insect repellent, wearing
protective clothing, sleeping in screened or
air-conditioned rooms and avoiding contact
with animals can all help reduce risk.
