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TRAVEL HEALTH
Staying Healthy on Your Tropical Escape
A few straightforward precautions can prevent stomach troubles, mosquito-borne diseases, and other health issues
BY ADAM BISBY
Whether you’re drawn to turquoise waters, vibrant culture or simple relaxation, a little preparation can help ensure a tropical trip remains focused on adventure and enjoyment—not health problems. With a few straightforward precautions, staying healthy abroad is easier than you might think.
Keeping Stomach Troubles at Bay
Few things derail a vacation faster than digestive issues. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 30 to 70 percent of international travellers experience diarrhea caused by food or water contamination. Popular destinations such as Mexico and the Dominican Republic—beautiful as they are—carry higher risks for these illnesses, even within resorts, explains Dr. Suleiman Furmli, a clinical physician at the Universal Travel Health Clinic in Ajax, Ontario.
“The three most common types of bugs that cause diarrhea in travellers are bacteria, followed by viruses and then parasites,” Dr. Furmli says and adds, “Enterotoxigenic E. coli is the most common bacterial cause.” An oral vaccine, DUKORAL, he notes can help prevent diarrhea caused by cholera and a particular toxin-producing strain of bacteria. “It’s also important to wash your hands before eating or preparing food and to take the necessary food and water precautions,” he advises.
Don’t Forget About the Flu
While influenza is often seen as a cold-weather issue, the virus doesn’t take holidays. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), flu viruses infect up to 10 percent of the global population annually. Because Canadian travellers often start their journeys during flu season, exposure can happen before they even board the plane.
Fatigue further increases the risk. “Lack of sleep weakens the immune system and reduces our ability to deal with stress,” Dr. Furmli says. “Combine this with jet lag, excitement, discomfort of sleeping on planes, and crowded environments, and it’s easy to see how this increases susceptibility to illness.”
His advice: “A rested traveller is a more resilient traveller.”
Guarding Against Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Mosquitoes are an unavoidable part of life in tropical climates, and they can transmit much more than itchy bites. Diseases such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and Japanese encephalitis are spread through mosquito vectors and can pose serious health risks.
“The two emerging diseases in terms of increasing spread would be Chikungunya and Dengue,” Dr. Furmli says. “Climate change and possibly mutations in these viral illnesses are contributing to making them a larger global threat, leading to increasing outbreaks around the world.”
The best way to guard against all insect-borne illnesses is to focus on avoiding getting bitten, he explains. “Measures include mosquito repellents, wearing permethrin-coated clothing, and avoiding outdoors at dusk and dawn.” While no dengue vaccine is currently available in Canada, Dr. Furmli notes, there is one for Chikungunya called IXCHIQ.
Keep in mind that not all mosquitoes are active at the same time. Those that spread chikungunya and Zika bite mostly during daylight hours, while others feed at dusk or night. Applying repellent before heading out in the morning or evening can greatly reduce your chances of being bitten.
The Importance of a Pre-Trip Check-In
One of the most effective ways to prepare for travel is to schedule a consultation with a travel health professional a month or two before departure. “I usually advise considering a pre-travel consultation for most travel itineraries outside of North America or Europe,” Dr. Furmli says.
He explains that these appointments should cover three main points:
- The most high-yield illness risks for the proposed travel itineraries
- Non-vaccine approaches to optimize health
- Vaccine risks and benefits
If you can’t get to a travel clinic, your pharmacist or family doctor can review essential precautions, from vaccine updates to over-the-counter remedies for common ailments.
“I usually advise my patients to focus 80 to 90 percent of their efforts on prevention, and then allow the vaccines to cover the remaining 10 to 20 percent,” Dr. Furmli says.
Did you know?
As well as being able to detect the carbon dioxide in your breath from up to 23 metres away, mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colours. That’s why wearing lighter clothes can help you avoid them.
Travel Planner
To find a travel clinic nearest you, visit vaccines411.ca/en
