THE long December holidays are fast approaching. If you are planning to travel to an unfamiliar destination, you need to keep some important things in mind.
Dr Rolf Verster, a general and occupational health practitioner in private practice, who also operates a travel clinic and travel health consultancy at Mediclinic Sandton, said travel, whether international or local, is not without risks.
“The principle causes are due to travellers moving outside their comfort zones – exploring regions with unfamiliar and different environmental conditions. This often leads to a change in risk behaviour or may involve failure to take necessary action to respond to these factors, sometimes resulting in injury or disease while abroad or on return,” he said.
According to Dr Verster, an easy way to remember the types of risks you as a traveller could be exposed to, is the rule of ‘Six Is’.
This is as follows:
Insects: Often, travel to unfamiliar surroundings involves exposure to insects that can cause or carry disease. Mosquitos transmit malaria, zika, dengue and chikungunya fever. Ticks carry a host of spotted and haemorrhagic fevers as well as encephalitis. Flies transmit disease via food but can also bite and, on occasion, lay eggs under the skin. Certain bugs bite and others cause toxic or allergic reactions.
Ingestions: Food and water are essential, but are a source of waterborne diseases often via the faecal-oral route. Unsanitary conditions and poor hygiene practices predispose to travellers’ diarrhoea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever and cholera. Numerous developing countries harbour so called ‘superbugs’ with limited antibiotic sensitivity. Drink alcohol in moderation. Alcohol dulls the senses and disinhibits, leading to risky acts.
Injuries: Injuries abroad frequently occur when travellers throw caution to the wind while engaging in adventure sports or unusual activities. A typical example is when an inexperienced biker/scooter rider explores unfamiliar roads without a crash helmet. Among travellers to foreign countries 18-24 percent of deaths are caused by injury. Avoid animals that bite or carry disease.
Irresponsibility: Travellers engage in a variety of risky behaviours while travelling. Risky behaviour includes adventure activities, decreased use of a seatbelt, illegal drug use and sexual indiscretion. More often than not, these activities would never even be considered within the safety of the home environment. Think twice before doing something that can change your life forever.
Immersion: Drowning cases feature far too often whilst abroad. Swimming in unfamiliar waters, associated alcohol use and adventure activities are the main contributors. Children left unattended are sadly part of this group. It is estimated that over 300 000 people die from drowning every year. Remember to assess the cleanliness and state of the water before taking a dip. Numerous creatures, germs and parasites lurk within.
Insurance: The cost of medical services abroad, especially hospitalisation, can run into millions of rands. Do not assume that your travel insurance, which is included in your credit card payment, will be sufficient for your travel needs. Analyse your family’s needs critically and purchase top-up insurance as deemed necessary.
“Before you travel, consider and assess the risks one may encounter. While away, be responsible, aware and take logical precautions in order to make your trip a pleasure and not a disaster,” said Dr Verster.
(Information from ER24)
