32 — Sunday, October 19, 1997 — North Shore News Risks must be examined individually AT the turn of this cen- _tury mission parties * landing in the West African country of Nigeria would travel inland towards the town of Onitsha, about 100 miles from the coast. They knew that by the dme they arrived at their destination the group would have lost 25% of its number dead to disease — mostly malaria. We have come a long way’ since then. Canadians of ages are leaving for destinations throughout the world. Given the large numbers, serious illness is remarkably unusual. This is in part due to rising standards in developing countries, bur also thanks to many advances in health pro- ._ tection, However, because overall the incidence of illness is quite low, travellers can easily be lulled into a faise sense of security. Each traveller's health risks must be individualized accord- ing to itinerary, season, length of stay, and personal health. For. this reason blanket advice is inappropriate. It is however, safe to gener- alize with regard to some health concerns. Tetanus, virtu- own in Canada, is a common and fatal illness in many. tropical countries and ed immunization is taken for granted for all travellers. The same can be said for polio | ORGANIC TREATMENT| For Bucs north shore news > TRAVEL Travel in health wisely except that is is now definitely receding worldwide. Much has been heard lately about the various types of hepatitis. Of these hepautis A is ubiquitous, but there is a par- ticular risk wherever water sup- plies are not of the highest stan- dard. This concern includes not only the tropics bur Eastern Europe and = the Eastern Mediterranean. Remember, while you mav be staying at a five-star hotel, the kitchen staff live in much humbler_ circumstances, per- haps without the luxury of run- ning water or indoor toilets. Fortunately, with a recently developed, ‘highly: effective, and safe vaccine this is one of the risks that can be virtually elimi- nated. Hepatitis B, while less fre- went, is a much more serious illness. Risky situations are quite limited and include trans- ion of blood products (for example whole blood or plasma used to treat shock), injections or tattoos with contaminated needles, and unprotected sex. Fortunately in this case also there is a safe and effective vac- cine and this is now available combined with hepatitis A vac- cine, Typhoid fever has figured prominently in western society with epidemics often being traced to contaminated water supplies. Now unknown to most of us, this illness, like hepatitis A, is still quite com- mon wherever water quality is ct and cases have recently been reported from as near as Mexico. Although less frequent than hepatitis A, it is a much more vicious illness. The inci- dence among travellers is fortu- nately Jow largely thanks to cflcctive pre-travel vaccination. While the word “cholera” (another waterborne illness) still has a sinister ring to it, this disease is exceedingly rare among tourists and, in_ this instance, immunization with 2 new improved vaccine, is gen- erally reserved for special cases such as high risk groups work- ing in refugee camps. Another tropical illness whose name provokes concern is yellow fever. Transmitted by the bite ofa day-time mosquito, it is limited to central Affica_and parts of South America. This too is rare in travellers but vaccination is important, in part because it is an entry requirement for some countries, In the Sub-Saharan belt of Aftica and in some other areas meningococcal meningitis — the same one that causes occa- sional scary outbreaks in our own community — is frequent- ly encountered. Travellers to these areas, trekkers in Nepal, and those rare people going to Mecca at the time of the Hajj pilgrimage must receive this immunization Prior to travel. What of malaria, the other major health risk for tropical travellers? Work continues on the preparation of a vaccine, but in the meantime it contin- ues to be one of the most seri- ous global health problems and has pardcular concerns for western travellers who have no naturally developed immunity. This is an illness transmitted through the bite of a nocturnal mosquito, The malarial picrure is complex and forever chang- ing. Unfortunately, of the four different types of malaria, the one responsible for nearly all deaths (it carries a 1-2% mortal- ity rate) is also a moving target, in that ir is able to develop resistance to — anti-malarial drugs. For this reason advice regarding anti-maiarial prophy- laxis must be given on an indi- vidual basis. Overall, the greatest risk for a serious health problem while travelling abroad is in the form of a motor vehicle accident and this risk can be much reduced with reasonable caution. There is no doubt the most common health problem peo- ple face is the notorious trav- ellers’ diarrhea. Almost always the result of consuming conta- minated food or drink, it may sometimes be duc to simple dietary indiscretion. The Lynn Valicy Medical and Travel Clinic is sponsoring a travel safety seminar at 7:30 Ps an. on Thursday, , Oct. 23 at ¢ Seymour Golf and Country Club, 3723 Mt. Seymour Parkway. Guest speaker Dr. Anthony Dunlop will talk about health protection for travellers, Christopher Doll will address legal implications for travellers and travel agents. Cali 988-5389 for more informa- ton. 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