Cruising – Popularity for this mode of travel has increased dramatically over the years along with potential risk of public health problems. Cruising is generally seen as ‘no health risk’. There are risks for each traveller type from children, pregnant women, young adults to the elderly. Below we provide a few ‘general’ points on your travel health whilst cruising abroad.

Infectious Diarrhoea – there are frequent outbreaks caused by food and water contamination on ships.Novovirus is a very hardy virus capable of surviving on almost all surfaces from door handles, railings to windows. Practice good personal hygiene eg: hand washing. Take an alcohol based hand sanitser with you. Available at WORLDWISE centres

• Hepatitis A is also a potential risk to cruise travellers through contaminated food and water. We recommend being up to date in your Hepatitis A immunisation.
• Respiratory illness is the most common health problem on cruises. Spread by passengers, common ventilation systems & special facilities such as spas/buffet misting devices that generate aerosols. We recommend getting the Flu vaccination before departure.
• Depending on ports you are getting off at around the world, there are specific risks for specific travellers. We recommend a consultation with your WORLDWISE specialist before departure, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions

TRAVELLERS DIARRHOEA – A common concern for travellers!

You’re travelling on a 13 hour train trip across India.

You’ve just boarded and managed to get a seat. You’ve got your book or your ipod and you’re sorted. Then… oh NO!…. your bowels have become loose!
There are minimal station stops and the toilet consists of a hole in the floor of the carriage – the train tracks zooming past underneath you… and no toilet paper.
I don’t need to paint the picture any more than that suffice to say that it will probably remain the worst train trip of your life.

Travellers Diarrhoea – one of the most common health problems for travellers.

Some 30% of sufferers are confined to bed, and a further 40% are forced to change their travel plans.

Symptoms – Travellers Diarrhoea is defined as greater than or equal to 3 loose bowel motions (stools) within 8 hours or greater than or equal to 4 within 24 hours…plus 1 of:
· Nausea
· Vomiting
· Abdominal cramps
· Mild fever

How is it spread?
The disease is caused by micro-organisms (bacteria, viruses and parasites) that damage the gut.
It is spread by consuming contaminated food and water.
By touching food with unclean hands.

When eating and drinking, WORLDWISE apply the adage:

“COOK IT, PEEL IT, BOIL IT OR AVOID IT”

Be sensible with your eating and drinking whilst travelling to at risk areas.

· Drink bottled, filtered, purified and carbonated water. If buying bottled water, make sure that
the bottle is properly sealed. Remember to wash you teeth with this safe drinking water
· Choose raw fruit and vegetables that you can peel yourself
· Wash your hands with soap or hand sanitizer before eating
· Foods should be thoroughly cooked and served piping hot

UNSAFE FOODS:
· Those cooked early in the day and served at room temperature
· Salads, raw vegetables, cold buffets
· Tap water, ice cubes, ice blocks
· Poorly or uncooked seafood and meat
· Food prepared with unpasteurized milk eg: ice cream

WORLDWISE stock a variety of travel medical kits, including the ‘Gastro Pack’ that includes appropriate prophylactic antibiotics– Designed to treat Traveller’s Diarrhoea.
We also stock a range of water purification products.
Please contact us if you would like more information on these products.

Check out our Facebook photo album dedicated to ‘Food and Water encounters’ whilst travelling

Avoid ice cubes in your drinks – you never know where it has come from and how it’s been handled