Be Aware of What You Consume
When Traveling
to Foreign Countries
Food
and water contamination is one of the
leading causes of illness in vacationers
and travelers, as pathogens and bacteria
unexpectedly find themselves in the drinking
water, buffets, cocktails and food of
tourists.
According to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), the most common
infections for travelers - including bacterial
dysentery, Escherichia coli, giardiasis,
shigellosis and noroviruses - are caused
by consuming inadequately prepared and
treated food and water.
Though travelers visiting developing countries
and areas with relaxed sanitary conditions
sustain risk of developing infectious
diseases including typhoid fever, cholera,
rotavirus infections, and other samonelloses,
the most common infection for travelers
remains traveler's diarrhea (TD).
The CDC estimates that more than 10 million
people, 20 to 50 percent of travelers,
contract TD each year. Escherichia coli
(ETEC) is the primary cause of 80 percent
of all TD cases worldwide, though it can
easily be prevented with safety food and
water consumption practices.
Tips
for Food Consumption
-
Avoid
all raw foods, especially in developing
countries
-
Be
weary of salads, uncooked vegetables
and unpasteurized milk, cream or cheeses
-
Avoid
condiments including mayonnaise
-
Order
meats well-done or medium well in potentially
unsafe areas
-
Use
creams in coffee and teas only if they
are properly sealed or pasteurized
-
Avoid
cold meat, cheese platters if they have
been allowed to stand for hours
-
Avoid
shellfish that may not be properly cleaned
or cooked
-
Do
not consume food or drink from street
vendors in unsafe areas
-
Avoid
running or undercooked eggs
-
Peel
or wash fruit, vegetables yourself
Tips
for Water/Beverage Consumption
-
Consumer
beverages that are in sealed containers
or bottles
-
Drink
bottled water if possible
-
Clean
the tops of all beverage containers
and glasses prior to use
-
Avoid
using tap water in unsafe areas for
brushing your teeth
-
Boil,
treat drinking water in unsafe areas
prior to consumption
Water
Treatment Methods
If consuming water in an unsafe or possible
contaminated area, including developing
countries, first treat the water using
one of the CDC suggested methods. According
to research, travelers can not only become
ill through drinking contaminated water,
but through other direct contact with
water and bacteria or viruses.
In addition to following important water
treatment methods prior to consuming drinking
water, travelers should also try and avoid
swimming water that may be contaminated
by human or animal sewage, storm drains
or bacteria.
Bottled
Water
Drinking bottled water while traveling
is the healthiest way to ensure your drinking
water is free from bacteria, viruses and
other water-born diseases. To be extra
safe, make sure all bottle water is properly
sealed prior to drinking
Boiling
Water
The best way to kill all water-born diseases
is to boil drinking water, which kills
all the viruses, bacteria and parasites
that cause TD. Water should be brought
to a strong boil for at least one minute
than allowed to cool to room temperature
before consuming. Adding a touch of salt
can help improve the taste of drinking
water.
*Water
must be boiled for at least three minutes
in altitudes greater than 2,000 meters.
Chemical
Treatment
Though boiling water is the best disinfectant
option, chemicals can also be used to
make drinking water suitable for consumption.
Iodine tablets can be purchased at pharmacies
and outdoor/sporting goods stores. Using
these tablets according to the manufacturer's
directions can kill most water-born illnesses
expect TD-related parasites.
Portable
Water Filters
Travelers can also purchase portable water
filters to remove water-born disease agents.
Some water filters are able to remove
TD-causing bacteria, while other may require
both filters and chemical treatments.
After handling portable water filters,
travelers should make sure to wash their
hands of any chemicals or bacteria that
may have collected on the filters.
*
pregnant women, children, the elderly
and travelers with weaken immune systems
should avoid consuming chemically-treated
water sources if possible. For
more information and tips on safe food
and water sources while traveling, visit
the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.
|
