Travel Safety Hub - WorldNomads.com

El fútbol: the latest hot ticket item for travellers

safetyhub — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:12:00 GMT

To call football in Argentina a religion would be an understatement.

With over 3000 registered teams, two World Cups trophies and the greatest player that ever lived (simply known as 'El Diego'), you cannot escape the game’s magnetic pull.

Seeing a game while you're visiting is a rite of passage and the place to do it is Buenos Aires, which has the highest concentration of teams. Boca Juniors – the side that produced Diego Maradona – is the country's most popular team, closely followed by local rivals River Plate. When the two sides face off, it's the most heated, passionate, and sometimes dangerous game in the Argentinian football calendar… and an absolute must-see for any visitor.

The 'superclasico' is more than a game – a twice yearly derby which decides bragging rights for an entire city, casting all other results aside; if you beat your local rival, everything is good in the world.

Boca play in the iconic Bonbonera Stadium, while River's home ground is the Monumental and tickets to either side's games are easy to get hold of if you book in advance, but expect to pay over the odds for a superclasico.

You do need to be vigilant where safety is concerned, but most of the violence (if there is any) from the infamous ‘ultras’ tends to take place away from the ground.

Make sure you check out the parrillas outside the stadium, where entire cows are barbecued and served up to hungry fans, testicles and all.

And face it, if you're brave enough to eat cow's nads, you've already done the hard part.

Thanks to Paul Hansford, editor of Australian FourFourTwo magazine.

A fan's story: Adonis at La Bonbonera - a cracking day out.

"Being a fan of the beautiful game, Latin America’s football culture was one of the many reasons why I chose to visit. Since Buenos Aires has a few teams, I decided to follow the most passionately supported one, Boca Juniors. As they are the team favoured by the lower classes, their stadium, the Bonbonera, is in the middle of the poorest (and therefore most dangerous) part of central Buenos Aires. Tourists are advised to go with a tour group at the cost of around $40, or at the very least to get tickets in the less boisterous seated areas which go for around $25.
Naturally I got myself the cheapest $4 ticket to stand behind the goal with the more ardent and unruly fans. I wanted to experience the real thing and not a sanitised version, but I was still nervous, as I had heard a few first hand tales of people being mugged in that part of the stadium. My worries eased when I persuaded a few people from the hostel to join me.
Once we got inside the stadium, it was pandemonium. We weren’t sure where we should go and we didn’t dare ask anyone in case we gave the impression of being helpless vulnerable tourists. It didn’t occur to us that with a few of our party being tall blonde Europeans who looked like poster boys for Aryan supremacy, our origins weren’t much of a secret.
I let myself fuse into the horde, and I was practically carried to the central stands behind the goal by the flow of the crowd. The tightly packed bundle of human emotion around me was electric. The team wasn’t even out on the pitch yet but the stands were full and everyone was singing, shouting, eating, drinking, waving flags, jumping around or any combination of all of those. There must have been about ten thousand of us crammed behind one goal and a similar amount doing the same behind the other.

When the match kicked off, a small group of hardcore fans in the middle of the stand started jumping around and singing and didn’t stop until the match was over. Not even half time could blunt their enthusiasm. Boca Juniors won the match 3-0, but I’m reliably informed that the same thing happens even when they are losing, as the fans are devoted to their team.
It was clearly more than just a sporting event to those fans, especially the sweet old woman next to me that spent the match swearing like a hardened criminal.
After speaking to a few people that had been to Boca Juniors matches, about half of them loved it, while the other half ended up having something stolen or being intimidated in some way. If you’re prepared to take this risk, which can be reduced by being smart about your appearance and behaviour, then the experience is outstanding value for money. The whole event including tickets, transport and food cost me the equivalent of a pint of beer in a London pub."

Thanks to Adonis Stevenson for this excerpt from Travelantics, his first book based on his round-the-world travels. More on the Travelantics website or buy the book from Amazon.

Practical Tips for staying safe at Football games

What to do if violence breaks out at a football match

The perpetrators of crowd violence and hooliganism are well aware that police monitor all football matches and that they will quickly detect and react to any incidents of violence inside the stadium. Incidents inside the stadium are therefore rare nowadays but in the unlikely event of violence breaking out inside the ground the following safety precautions should be followed:

Your main objective should be your own safety and that of persons with you
Should missiles be thrown or fighting break out close to you take cover by dropping to the floor and protecting yourself between the seats. If attacked protect your head and face with your arms and hands.
Do not engage in conversation with the participants and avoid eye contact with them As soon as you feel it is safe to do so, get up and establish where the unruly mob is located and in which direction they are moving. Look in the opposite direction for the closest exit to you and begin to make your way towards it.
Try not to panic and calmly move towards the chosen exit. Avoid being caught in a stampede. If necessary choose another exit.
If you are caught up in a moving crowd, move with them. Trying to stand still or go against the flow may result in you falling and suffering injury from being trampled or crushed.

What to do if violence breaks out outside the stadium

Crowd violence and acts of hooliganism are more likely to take place outside, but in close proximity to, the stadium. If this occurs there is the unfortunate possibility that innocent spectators could find themselves unwittingly caught in the disturbance. To avoid or reduce the threat, adopt the following guidelines:

Avoid streets in which a disturbance is taking place, or through which a lively crowd of supporters is likely to be making its way to or from the stadium
Avoid any place where police action is in progress
If confronted by a crowd of hooligans turn around and walk away briskly in the opposite direction - do not run
If travelling in a motor vehicle turn around and drive away without injuring anyone
If you are too close to the crowd and cannot turn your vehicle around, manoeuvre your car to the side of the road and park it.
Get out of your car and without panic or undue haste, move as far as possible off the road or to the end of your car away from the crowd. Stand and watch passively.
Should you be wearing any form of supporter's regalia, remove it and conceal it from view. Far rather be seen as a neutral than supporting a particular team - the hooligans might support the opposition.
If challenged, be polite and agreeable and do not offer any threat or criticism
Should the crowd start to bounce the vehicle, do not interfere. Interference will make the crowd continue more vigorously and divert new anger towards you.
Do not produce anything that could be perceived as being a weapon. This will incite the crowd to respond with violence.
If attacked protect your head and face with your arms and hands
Let the crowd flow past you. Once the crowd has gone by, make your way to safety. If on foot walk slowly - do not run. If in a motor vehicle drive away slowly.

Action after an incident:

Report the incident to the police on duty in the area and obtain a report reference
If you have been injured seek medical assistance

Thanks Red24 for these safety tips.

Have you been to a football game in South America? What's your story?

Feel Safe While Traveling: 10 Things You Can Do

safetyhub — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:24:00 GMT

Traveling can be a lot of fun; protect your vacation from being ruined by scams, world events or changing regulations. By being informed and aware of your surroundings, your dream vacation can be everything you want it to be.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.com, by [sidewalk flying].

Donna Baker-Olson of Escape to Travel shares her thoughts on 10 things you can do to feel safe while traveling:

1. Know the rules.

As an international traveler, you should be aware of the rules for bringing items back from your trip.

2. Be informed.

always check travel warnings for the area where you will be traveling.

3. Lock up.

When leaving your room make sure your door is securely closed and locked.

4. Get travel insurance.

Any number of things can turn your perfect vacation into a disaster such as illness, accident, natural disasters, lost luggage, delayed flights or canceled flights. The best way to protect you against these and other major problems is to have good travel insurance.

5. Know your rights.

Airline passengers do have rights. Learn what they are here.

6. Trust your instincts.

The best precaution you can take is to trust your instincts. Only choose accommodation you feel comfortable with and stay away from ground floor rooms or ones with easy access from the outside (i.e. a balcony). Ask to see a room before you take it-is it clean and safe enough?

7. Be prepared.

To help safeguard yourself, consider taking a self-defense course, let someone at home know your itinerary, and register with the closest overseas U.S. embassy if you're going somewhere unusual or offbeat. Also, act confident (even when you're lost) and pay attention to social customs (do women go out alone after dark?).

8. Consider your load.

Most importantly, don't carry so much baggage that it could compromise your safety and prevent you from keeping one hand free. If you're feeling weighed down by all your baggage and travel books, mail something home.

9. Buy a doorstop.

Protect yourself, never travel without a simple rubber door-stop. It can stop intruders in their tracks. It's inexpensive, light to pack, and gives you the peace of mind to sleep well. The main door to your room usually has a pretty good lock and peephole and sometimes a bar chain. But if there is an adjoining room, that door usually has a fairly flimsy lock. The doorstop is especially useful in those situations.

10. Keep your valuables close.

Carry your passport, plane ticket, traveler's checks and cash in a concealed money belt worn around the waist.

We want to know...what keeps you feeling safe while travelling?

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to New Zealand

safetyhub — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:09:00 GMT

Kia Ora, welcome to New Zealand! You’ve just landed in Auckland and passed the rigorous customs screening (do NOT bring any fruits, meats, soils, seeds unless you want a huge fine), but now what? New Zealand is a developed country so there shouldn’t be much to worry about, right? Whether a country is super developed or developing there are always hazards travelers face along the way, we asked a few of our friends in the travel industry what tips they would give travelers going to Aotearoa.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.com, by [PhillipC]

1. Practice sun safety.

The sun is surprisingly strong, especially at high altitudes and in the North Island so always wear sun block even if it’s a cloudy day. Josh Steinitz, NileGuide

2. Bring bug spray.

The west coast of the South Island can have bad sand flies in places like Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound. Make sure to bring plenty of strong bug spray. Christina Tunnah, WorldNomads

3. Look both ways!

Remember to look right before crossing the street! In big cities like Auckland there are handy reminders on the curb reminding tourists that traffic is coming from the opposite direction that most are used to, but in case the sign isn’t there to save you, look right! Alexia Nestora, VoluntourismGal

4. Know the numbers.

The emergency telephone number in New Zealand is 111. It is a free phone call. If you have an emergency and need a quick response from the Police, the Fire Service, Ambulance or Search and Rescue, dial 111. Ted Martens, Sustainable Travel International

5. Watch out for water hazards.

Given New Zealand's subtropical climate, it is no surprise that New Zealanders like to spend so much of their leisure time in the water. However water can conceal hazards. We recommend that you visit the Water Safety New Zealand website, for advice on how to stay safe on New Zealand's beaches and waterways. NewZealand.com

Learn more about travel to New Zealand and what to expect from our friends at Lonely Planet.

The one thing all of our adventure travel friends recommend is, if you have a chance, go see an All Black game where they’ll do a ‘haka’. Check out this video for an exciting preview of a tribal tradition and all around cool spectacle.

Learn some Maori, the locals will be glad you learned some of their history and culture.

Kia Ora – Welcome

Aotearoa – Land of the Long White Cloud, New Zealand

Kai – Food

Marae – Maori religious and meeting place

Pakeha - New Zealander of non-Māori descent, usually European

Whanau – Family

Kauri – Large Native Tree

Haka – Tribal dance

What did you learn in New Zealand and wish you knew before you went? Leave us a comment...

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Argentina

safetyhub — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:48:00 GMT

If you’re traveling to Argentina you’ll most likely stop in Buenos Aires, which is by most accounts a very safe city, and local police keep it that way by actively patrolling all tourist areas. Violent crime is extremely rare, and smaller towns in Argentina are even safer than Buenos Aires.

Nevertheless, it is important to remember there are always pickpockets in tourist areas on the lookout for easy prey. Always protect your valuables and keep your passport and tickets in a safe at your hotel. The Buenos Aires barrio of La Boca, just a few blocks away from the famous street Caminito, has seen a number of thefts lately. Take special care when you’re in this area.

We know there is a lot to read before going to Argentina so we asked our friends in the adventure travel space to give us some tips on what they wish they knew before they went to Argentina. Have a read below, we hope it helps and please feel free to add your own suggestions to the comments section below.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.com, by [Omar Uran].

1. Carry Change.

Check your 100 peso note BEFORE giving it to the shop assistant – they can claim it was counterfeit and give you back the counterfeit! Also, coins are like gold. It’s hard to get change anywhere and you can’t take a bus without coins! Mat Lewis, i-to-i

2. Avoid demonstrations.

They happen all too regularly in Buenos Aires and occasionally can get a bit violent. Agustina Marmol, Dolomite Mountains

3. Know Your Bearings.

Always know where you are on the map. Buenos Aires is the kind of place where fancier, tourist-friendly neighborhoods are directly adjacent to some rough spots. Josh Steinitz, NileGuide

4. Take Taxis at Night.

Buenos Aires is safe for women traveling and sightseeing alone, but you should be aware that the men there will whistle at you when you pass by, and comment on your looks. During the night it’s better to take a taxi to where you are headed instead of walking the streets alone, that applies if you are travelling alone or not, especially for La Boca area. Antonija, GeckoGo

5. Beware of Dogs.

There are large packs of dogs hanging around some of the bus stations, so beware. Most of the time they won’t bother you but it’s always better to travel with a friend, power in numbers. Christina Tunnah, WorldNomads

For some practical information on traveling in Argentina visit Kwintessential for tips on etiquette and customs.

Need some handy Spanish travel phrases? Try our Spanish Language App.

What did you learn in Argentina and wish you knew before you went? Leave us a comment...

Vanuatu & Pacific islands earthquakes: advice for travellers

safetyhub — Thu, 8 Oct 2009 02:10:00 GMT

SMH.com.au has reported that "Four* powerful earthquakes at 9.03am local time on October 8th, triggered a tsunami alert over a huge swathe of the South Pacific, sending residents fleeing to higher ground, just days after giant waves killed 177 in the region.

Vanuatu, Fiji, Tuvalu and New Caledonia sounded sirens and evacuated coastal areas after a 7.8 quake struck off Vanuatu at 9.03 am local time, followed by a 7.7 tremor 15 minutes later off Santa Cruz Islands, followed by a 7.3 quake 55 minutes later off Vanuatu again, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. A fourth major quake measuring 6.9 struck four hours after the first quake.

"We are trying to get those people staying closer to the coast to move inland," said Tuvalu's acting police commissioner Titelu Kauani.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a tsunami warning for some 25 regional nations and territories including as far afield as Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia, before cancelling it about two and a half hours later.

*A total of ten have hit the region, but only those above 6 on the Richter scale are considered major, according to the United States Geological Survey."

So far, there are no reports of injuries, however it is advised that if you are currently travelling in the region to contact local authorities or your government travel advisory for up-to-date information.

We will make updates to this post should any further news or warnings come to light.

Safety tips if you are in an affected area

If you are injured or Sick?
If you are injured or become ill please seek medical aid and contact your 24-hour Medical Assistance Service. The traveller should recognize that any functioning hospitals and clinics will be busy caring for people who have been injured and/or who are sick.

If you are in a region with no operating medical facilities please contact your Medical Assistance Service Immediately.

WorldNomads policy holders can find these details on their Certificates of Insurance or see phone numbers at the bottom of this article.

Injuries
The risk of injury is high. Persons who anticipate the need to travel to disaster area should wear sturdy footwear to protect their feet from Injury. Tetanus is a potential health threat for cuts and grazes. Any wound, cut, or animal bites should be immediately cleansed with soap and clean water. Seek rapid medical review should you become injured.

Wash your Hands
Wash your hands often using soap and water to help prevent the spread of disease. Waterless alcohol-based hand rubs may be used when soap and/or water are not available and hands are not visibly soiled.

What can I eat or drink?
Natural disasters can disrupt water supplies and sewage systems. If bottled water is not available, water should be boiled or disinfected. For more information refer to the CDC website

Food should be carefully chosen to reduce the risk of getting gastrointestinal illness. Avoid salads, uncooked vegetables and milk products, such as cheese. Ensure your food is freshly cooked and has not been sitting around. Food’s that has been cooked and is still hot or fruit that has been washed in clean water and then peeled by the traveler personally are safer to eat.

What if I get Diarrhea?
Gastroenteritis outbreaks can occur following a disaster. Diarrhea may be accompanied by a high fever or passing blood in the diarrhea. Replacing lost fluids by drinking clean water is important or the use of oral rehydration solutions.

Insects
Bites can be prevented through combined use of insect repellent and barrier methods such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when. Insect Repellent containing DEET should be used at all times.
Ensure you have been immunized for Tetanus in the past 5 years.

Safety
Traveller’s should be careful to avoid downed power lines. Battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lanterns, or torches, should be used. Keep your personal belongings especially your passport and money on your person or in a safe place close to you.

Environmental Hazards

Be aware of what is happening around you. Following a disaster there will be rapidly moving water. Lung infections may occur after inhalation of sea water. Disasters resulting in massive structural damage can also result in exposure to chemical or biologic contaminants (e.g., asbestos).

Environmental things to remember
Both hot and cold extremes in temperature can pose a danger. Heat-related illness, such as heat stroke, can even be fatal. Remember to wear your sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat to protect you from the sun. Evenings can become cold so have a pullover or waterproof jacket available. Keep you fluid intake up with clean water during the day. Try to keep a dry change of clothing handy to change into. This will help in keeping you warm and preventing heat loss.

What is happening to me and who do I call?

It is important to remember that the situation you are in can be extremely stressful.

Keeping an item of comfort nearby, such as a family photo, favorite music, or religious material, can often offer comfort in such situations.

Call home and your country's Consulate or Embassy to let them know where you are, if you are alright and if you need any assistance.

Call your travel insurance company emergency assistance hotline should you need immediate attention (see phone numbers below for WorldNomad's policy holders)

Wash your Hands
Wash your hands often using soap and water to help prevent the spread of disease. Waterless alcohol-based hand rubs may be used when soap and/or water is not available and hands are not visibly soiled.

When you get out of there or get back home

If you become unwell within 6 weeks of returning with fever, rash, respiratory illness or any other unusual symptoms seek medical attention and tell them that you were recently in a Disaster affected region.

Advice for World Nomads Policy Holders

Should you have any concerns or fears, please contact us on the following emergency assistance numbers.

Please have your name, location and phone number ready when you call (and policy number if available)

Australian and New Zealand travellers (Mondial Assistance Australia):
Email: medicalnotes@mondial-assistance.com.au
Telephone: +61 7 3305 7499 (While overseas, reverse charges)
Telephone: 1300 729 467 (Within Australia)
Telephone: 0800 630 117 (Within New Zealand)

UK travellers (Specialty Assistance Services):
Email: assistance@specialty-group.com OR assistance@mstream.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 845 643 2628

Irish travellers (Specialty Assistance Services):
Email: assistance@mstream.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7902 7403

USA travellers (Access America):
Email: AssistanceGroup@MondialUSA.com
Telephone: +1-877-257-8108 (toll free within US)
Telephone: +1-804-281-5789 (Collect)

Canadian travellers (Mondial Assistance Canada):
Email: nomadinquiries@mondial-assistance.ca
Telephone: +1-866-759-2892 toll-free from the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Island or
Telephone: +1-519-342-4947 collect from anywhere else in the world

For all other travellers (ihi Bupa):
Email: emergency@ihi.com
Telephone: +45 33 15 33 00 (not toll free))

Indonesian Earthquake: safety for travellers

safetyhub — Thu, 1 Oct 2009 22:10:00 GMT

Padang, a town on the Indonesian island of Sumatra was struck by an earthquake measuring 7.6-magnitude on Tuesday 30th September at 5.16pm local time. The quake was felt as far away as Jakarta which is situated 200km to the north. A Tsunami alert was initially made which was subsequently revoked soon afterwards.

The following day at 8.52am local time, a second unrelated quake measuring 6.8 struck near Padang.

Sadly the death toll has risen dramatically and 24 hours following the event stands at over 1,100 people. Essential infrastructure has been damaged in the region including shopping malls, hospitals and schools. This has also resulted in Fires.

Padang is home to almost one million people across the coast of Sumatra. It is understood the capital city is without power and communications, several areas are inaccessible to emergency services.

Safety tips if you are in an affected area

If you are injured or Sick?
If you are injured or become ill please seek medical aid and contact your 24-hour Medical Assistance Service. World Nomads policy holders can find these details on their Certificates of Insurance or log in to the members section. The traveller should recognize that any functioning hospitals and clinics will be busy caring for people who have been injured and/or who are sick.

If you are in a region with no operating medical facilities please contact the Medical Assistance Service Immediately.

WorldNomads policy holders can find these details on their Certificates of Insurance or log in to the members section.

Injuries
The risk of injury is high. Persons who anticipate the need to travel to disaster area should wear sturdy footwear to protect their feet from Injury. Tetanus is a potential health threat for cuts and grazes. Any wound, cut, or animal bites should be immediately cleansed with soap and clean water. Seek rapid medical review should you become injured.

Wash your Hands
Wash your hands often using soap and water to help prevent the spread of disease. Waterless alcohol-based hand rubs may be used when soap and/or water are not available and hands are not visibly soiled.

What can I eat or drink?
Natural disasters can disrupt water supplies and sewage systems. If bottled water is not available, water should be boiled or disinfected. For more information refer to http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/foodwater.aspx

Food should be carefully chosen to reduce the risk of getting gastrointestinal illness. Avoid salads, uncooked vegetables and milk products, such as cheese. Ensure your food is freshly cooked and has not been sitting around. Food’s that has been cooked and is still hot or fruit that has been washed in clean water and then peeled by the traveler personally are safer to eat.

What if I get Diarrhea?
Gastroenteritis outbreaks can occur following a disaster. Diarrhea may be accompanied by a high fever or passing blood in the diarrhea. Replacing lost fluids by drinking clean water is important or the use of oral rehydration solutions.

Insects
Bites can be prevented through combined use of insect repellent and barrier methods such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when. Insect Repellent containing DEET should be used at all times.
Ensure you have been immunized for Tetanus in the past 5 years.

Safety
Traveller’s should be careful to avoid downed power lines. Battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lanterns, or torches, should be used. Keep your personal belongings especially your passport and money on your person or in a safe place close to you.

Environmental Hazards

What is happening to me and who do I call?

It is important to remember that the situation you are in can be extremely stressful. Keeping an item of comfort nearby, such as a family photo, favorite music, or religious material, can often offer comfort in such situations. Call home and your countries Consulate or Embassy to let them know where you are, if you are alright and if you need any assistance.

When you get out of there or back home
If you become unwell within 6 weeks of returning with fever, rash, respiratory illness or any other unusual symptoms seek medical attention and tell them that you were recently in a Disaster affected region.

Advice for World Nomads Policy Holders

Latest advice available for Australian and NZ residents: 02 October 2009
Click here to read the information (PDF format, 12K. Updated 02 October 2009)

Latest advice available for US residents: 07 October 2009
For emergency assistance:
In the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, call 1-877-257-8108
All other locations, call collect 1-804-281-5789
If you can't call collect, we'll call you back.

Please have this information ready when you call: your name, location and phone number

We will post advice for other policy holders as soon as possible.

Samoan Tsunami: safety for travellers

safetyhub — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:49:00 GMT

Samoa and American Samoa were hit by a Tsunami in the early hours of Wednesday 30th September. Several Tsunami waves up to 20 feet high, triggered by an earthquake with a magnitude between 8.0 and 8.3, swept ashore on Samoa and neighboring American Samoa.

Current reports state that the death toll has risen above 100 in Samoa and neighboring American Samoa and thousands left homeless after the tsunami 'wiped out' entire villages in the region.

Australians have been identified as having been amongst the injured. Reports have also advised of wide spread destruction, with some villages entirely wiped out. The southern side of the island Upolu was the worst hit. There were reports of looting in Pago Pago. The Samoan capital Apia has been evacuated and thousands of people have been moved to higher ground.

About 20 minutes after the massive earthquake rocked the Samoan capital of Apia, towering waves hit the southern coast of the Upolo Island where many of the holiday resort are located. The water has reached up to one mile inland. There were reports of hotels being hit hard by the tsunami.

Tonga has also experienced damage following a four meter waves have caused damage in Tonga, but no casualties have been reported.

Safety tips if you are in an affected area

If you feel another earthquake
Tsunamis are most often caused by earthquakes. Should you feel an earthquake that lasts for 20 seconds or longer or should the sea suddenly recede from the shoreline, do not wait for an official order to evacuate, move immediately to higher ground.

Remain on higher ground for several hours
As tsunamis consist of a series of waves, the first wave to arrive may not be the largest. Waves can arrive up to an hour apart, so do not presume that it is safe to return to low-lying areas once the first wave has subsided. Remain on higher ground for several hours after the first wave and only return to low-lying areas once these have been declared safe by the relevant authorities.

Attract attention
If possible, keep something bright such as a handkerchief on your person to attract the attention of search parties if necessary

If you are injured?

If you are injured or become ill please seek medical aid and contact your 24-hour Medical Assistance Service. WorldNomads policy holders can find these details on their Certificates of Insurance or log in to the members section.

The traveler should recognize that any functioning hospitals and clinics will be busy caring for people who have been injured and/or who are sick.

What if I get Diarrhea?
Gastroenteritis outbreaks can occur following a disaster. Diarrhea may be accompanied by a high fever or passing blood in the diarrhea. Replacing lost fluids by drinking clean water is important or the use of oral re-hydration solutions.

What can I eat or drink?
Natural disasters can disrupt water supplies and sewage systems. If bottled water is not available, water should be boiled or disinfected. For more information refer to the CDC's advice.

Food should be carefully chosen to reduce the risk of getting gastrointestinal illness. Avoid salads, uncooked vegetables and milk products, such as cheese. Ensure your food is freshly cooked and has not been sitting around. Food’s that has been cooked and is still hot or fruit that has been washed in clean water and then peeled by the traveler personally are safer to eat.

Environmental Hazards
Be aware of what is happening around you. Following a disaster there will be rapidly moving water. Lung infections may occur after inhalation of sea water. Disasters resulting in massive structural damage can also result in exposure to chemical or biological contaminants (e.g., asbestos).

The flood waters may have flushed a host of dangerous animals, such as snakes and scorpions, out of their normal environment. Remain vigilant to avoid coming into close contact with these animals.

Travelers’ should be careful to avoid downed power lines. Battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lanterns, or torches, should be used. Keep your personal belongings especially your passport and money on your person or in a safe place close to you.

Environmental things to remember
Both hot and cold extremes in temperature can pose a danger. Heat-related illness, such as heat stroke, can even be fatal. Remember to wear your sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat to protect you from the sun. Evenings can become cold so have a pullover or waterproof jacket available. Keep you fluid intake up with clean water during the day. This is all common-sense, but is even more important if you find yourself in the Tsunami affected area as finding medical help will be much more difficult.

What is happening to me and who do I call?

It is important to remember that the situation you are in can be extremely stressful.

Keeping an item of comfort nearby, such as a family photo, favorite music, or religious material, can often offer comfort in such situations.

Call home and your country's Consulate or Embassy to let them know where you are, if you are alright and if you need any assistance.

Wash your Hands
Wash your hands often using soap and water to help prevent the spread of disease. Waterless alcohol-based hand rubs may be used when soap and/or water is not available and hands are not visibly soiled.

When you get out of there or get back home

Advice for World Nomads Policy Holders

Latest advice available for Australian and NZ residents: 02 October 2009
Click here to read the information (PDF format, 12K. Updated 02 October 2009)

We will post advice for other policy holders as soon as possible.

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to South Korea

safetyhub — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:36:00 GMT

Did you know that in South Korea...you should never leave chopsticks in your rice? That you should never beckon anyone with palm up using one finger?; it's the way Koreans call their dogs! That writing someone's name in red symbolizes death?

We've compiled a list of recommendations from our friends in adventure travel to help you land safely in South Korea fully prepared to enjoy your trip!

Photo courtesy of Flickr.com, by [tylerdurden1]

1. Bundle up.
It gets cold! I was there in December and it dropped to well below freezing. While I'm used to cold weather, I hadn't packed the right clothing with me, so I didn't enjoy South Korea as much as I could have, so carefully think through your packing list.

Gary Arndt, Everything-Everywhere

2. Try the tube.
Korea has a very good public transport system, so grab a bus or subway map and ride with the locals for a day!

Sspark from Travellr.com

3. Check the weather.
Peak summer, from late June to late August, starts off with the monsoon season, when the country receives some 60% of its annual rainfall, and is followed by unpleasantly hot and humid weather. Although air-conditioning makes summers much more bearable these days, many locals flee the muggy cities for the mountains, beaches and islands, which become crowded, and accommodation prices double. There is also the chance of a typhoon or two.

Lonely Planet

4. Follow the local news.
News listings about demonstrations should be checked, especially near US Military bases. Demonstrations do tend to turn more violent then not.

Keith from GeckoGo.com

5. Hold on tight.
If on a crowded bus and standing, don’t be surprised if a passenger seated under you tugs at your bag. They are typically just offering to have you rest your bag on their lap. Politely decline or if feeling it’s safe, place the bag on their lap, but keep the strap around your arm/wrist.

Christina Tunnah, World Nomads

Keen to learn more?

Prepare for your trip to South Korea by checking out what iExplore has to say about the country.

It always helps to know a little bit of the local language. We know that Korean isn’t exactly a language you can pick up overnight, so here are a couple phrases to help you get around:

Yes = YE
No = A-NIM-NI-DA
Hello = AHN-NYUNG HA-SEH-YO
Goodbye = AHN-NYUNG-HEE GA-SEH-YO
Please = (No direct translation. Has to be used in context.)
Thank you = GAM-SAH HAM-NEE-DA
It is nice to meet you = BAN-GAP SUP-NEE-DA
Take me to my hotel = HOTEL-LO GAP-SEE-DA
Where is the bathroom? = BYUN-SOH UH-DEE-YIP-NEE-GA
How much does this cost? = UL-MA YIP-NEE-GA
Help = DO-WAH-JU-SEH-YO
Doctor = DOCTUH or EUEE-SAH
Police = GYONG-CHAR
Pharmacy = YAK-GOOK
Taxi = TACK-SEE
Train = GI-CHAH
Subway = JI-HA-RO
Bus = BU-SS
Street = GIL

Looking for more travel phrases?
Check out WorldNomads.com's free Korean language guide.

What did you learn in South Korea and wish you knew before you went? Leave us a comment...

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Egypt

safetyhub — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:55:00 GMT

Sphinx and Pyramids. Courtesy of Flickr.com, by [Mrs Logic].

So you’ve booked your trip to Egypt – land of The Nile, pyramids and Cleopatra (to name a few)! You’ve checked the weather reports, gotten the local currency, bought travel insurance and confirmed your hotel – you should be all set right?

Egypt is a wonderful breathtaking country, but beware that there are certain local laws and customs that you’ll need to adhere to. For instance, did you know that taking photographs of bridges and canals (including the Suez Canal), military personnel, buildings and equipment is illegal??? Possession of even small quantities of illicit drugs in Egypt can lead to the death penalty, long prison sentences or deportation?? Have a look at these Local Laws to help you get up to speed and always check in with your local embassy as well.

We know there is a lot to read before going to Egypt so we asked our friends in the adventure travel space to give us some tips on what they wish they knew before they went to Egypt. Have a read below, we hope it helps and please feel free to add your own suggestions to the comments section below.

1. Ask around.

I wish I had known that the pyramids and sphinx are not that far from the taxi entrance. Many tours, taxis and tour operators have commission based partners outside this area who tell you it is "a 5 mile walk" to the pyramids and sphinx and get you to ride a very painful camel or horse for 2 hours in an area running parallel to the sites. Say no firmly and ask directions to the entrance which is a 5 minute walk from the sites.

Daniel Radcliffe, Volunteer HQ

2. Be aware.

The touts can be very aggressive and annoying to tourists. The fact is, any local who starts a conversation with you is looking for money. You have to be on your guard constantly, more so than with any other country I have visited.

Gary Arndt, Everything-Everywhere

3. Assess the add-ons.

A service charge of between 10% and 15% is applied in most upmarket restaurants and hotels, to which value-added tax (VAT) and municipal taxes are also added. In other words, the price that you are quoted at a hotel or read on a menu could be almost 25% higher when it comes to paying the bill.

Lonely Planet

4. Carry change.

Always carry a lot of coins and small bills, (the pound is the currency in Egypt), you will have to "tip" many times a day, for all kinds of reasons. Ex: I had to tip the guy at the entry of the washroom to get a few sheets of toilet paper.

Gilles A., GeckoGo.com

5. Cover up.

Culturally, Egypt is a Muslim country. Even in the big cities a woman should have a male companion with her when on the street. Ladies should have shoulders and upper arms covered, closed neck top, skirt below the knees, pants are ok, but ought to be loose. Modesty is the key word. Don’t insist on your right to wear what you want, respect their culture and cover up.

Christy McCarthy, World Nomads

For some practical information on traveling in Egypt visit Kwintessential for tips on etiquette and customs.

Need some handy Arabic travel phrases? Try our Arabic Language guide podcast or iPhone app.

What did you learn in Egypt and wish you knew before you went? Leave us a comment...

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Mexico

safetyhub — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:51:00 GMT

Ay, Caramba! You’ve gone on that long awaited vacation to Mexico and all of sudden you 1. Are sick 2. Had your money stolen or 3. Are stuck alone on a roadside! At World Nomads we’re lucky to have lots of friends in the travel industry, we polled them to give you the very best tips staying safe in Mexico.

1. Learn the Lingo.
A little bit of Spanish goes a long way! Try your hardest with the locals and it will get you a lot further than simply trying to get them to understand English.

Daniel Radcliffe, Volunteer HQ

2. Drink responsibly.
The variety of tequila is simply overwhelming, so was the hangover! Drink responsibly and test new alcohols cautiously and with friends that can watch out for you. No matter what your friends say don’t eat the worm in the Tequila bottle!!

Mat Lewis, i-to-i

3. Stay alert!
If you get far off the beaten path (for example, deep in the Copper Canyon) and see fancy late-model pickups and gated driveways, know that you're in a drug growing and trafficking area and get the hell out of there.

Josh Steinitz, Nile Guide

4. Check the water.
Don’t drink the water also means don’t drink the ice! Check with your hotel or restaurant if the ice is made with purified water, same goes for anything that would be washed in water during preparation like salads.

Christina Tunnah, World Nomads

5. Get directions.
Rural roads can be bad. Very, very bad. Make sure your vehicle can handle them. The last thing you want is your rental to break down, your cell phone doesn’t work and no one speaks English. Check with the locals on which routes are the safest to take.

Kathy Dragon, Travel Dragon

It always helps to know a little bit of the local language, so have a quick study of the below:

¡Hola! = Hello

Buenos Dias = Good Day

Buenas Noches = Good Night

Gracias = Thank You

De Nada = You’re Welcome

¿Cuanto Cuesta? = How Much?

¿A Que Hora? = At What Time?

¿Donde esta el baño? = Where is the bathroom?

¡Emergencia! = Emergency!

¡Ayudame por favor! = Help me please!

Keen to learn more?

If you want to learn more Spanish in prep for your trip, check out our FREE Spanish Language Guides. If you’re determined to nail more than just the basics, check out our latest Spanish Language Guide PLUS iPhone app with over 500 phrases!

What did you learn in Mexico and wish you knew before you went? Leave us a comment...

Sun Safety: How to Beat the Burn this Holiday

safetyhub — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:14:00 GMT

A lot of European beach-goers have heard of Croatia. Warm water, beautiful beaches and great food make Croatia one of the “Dream holiday” destinations. A little bit of precaution can help that perfect beach holiday from turning into a sunburned and uncomfortable week of redness.

WorldNomads.com's roving medical expert Dr. Erik McLaughlin MD talks through sun safety, skin protection and burn treatment you'll need for a painless trip to sunny Croatia.

Sunburns

The main cause of sunburns is not the sun itself but the ultraviolet energy. Just to complicate matters, there are three main types of ultraviolet (UV) energy, designated A, B and C. Erythema is what your skin gets after a day in the sun, which is redness, some slight swelling and pain. Doses of UV energy and its effect on the skin are measured in units called minimal erythema doses (MED). This MED represents the smallest does of UV energy to cause that “sunburn” appearance.

Beachgoers are typically exposed to 15 MEDs of UVB and 4-5 MEDs of UVA. Almost all of UVC is absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere. There is increasing evidence that shows both UVA and UVB can be harmful to human skin and both can cause skin cancers.

UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply and are largely the cause of aged skin and wrinkles. UVB is generally responsible for most “sunburn” effects and has traditionally been thought of as the cause of most skin cancers. Ideally, persons in the sun should be protecting themselves with a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB.

Sunscreens

Sun protection factor (SPF) is the ability of a sunscreen to protect skin from ultraviolet induced erythemas (sunburn). This SPF number is calculated based on the length of time it takes to cause one MED in protected versus non-protected skin. Basically, SPF is the amount of time it takes to causes a sunburn in someone with sunscreen protection versus someone who is unprotected. At present, most sunscreens protect largely against UVB only, although there are some products that are beginning to protect against both UVA and UVB.

SPF: % UVB absorption

2 50.0

4 75.0

8 87.5

15 93.3

30 96.7

50 98.0

Chart from “A field guide to wilderness medicine” by Paul Auerbach, pg. 69

Clearly, one can see that UVB protection increases with the higher SPF and use of SPF 30 is becoming more and more advised.

How to Apply Sunscreen

Apply liberally to all areas of exposed skin including backs of hands, ears, nose and tops of feet

Apply 15-30 minutes before swimming or water exposure

Reapply immediately after exiting the water

Using sunscreen and DEET based insect repellent will reduce the effectiveness of sunscreen by approx. 35%

What is in the sunscreen?

The ideal sunscreen spread onto your skin easy, does not cause allergy, pimples and does not stain clothing. PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) is the most common cause of sunscreen dermatitis and effects 4% of people. Creams and lotions spread on the skin well. Oils spread very easily but may cause pimples. For extreme conditions a wax or ointment will help resist skin chapping. Aerosols are often wasteful and leave parts of the skin over coated and others under protected due to difficulty in ensuring even spray.

Sun protective clothing

Clothing that has been tested and proven to block the UV energy is designated by the term Ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) which is identical to SPF for sunscreen.

The tightness of the fabric’s weave is most important in determining how effective it will be in blocking UV energy. A good example of this is Lycra which can block nearly 100% of UVR when relaxed but only 2% when stretched tight. A typical white cotton tshirt has a UPF of about 5-9.

Wide brimmed hats are especially good for protecting the face, head and ears. Sunglasses should be labeled to protect against UV energy and side shields do work in decreasing the amount of UV absorbed by the eyes.

Treating a Sunburn

Sunburns are largely self-limiting and will typically resolve on their own. Treatment is largely centered on relieving symptoms. Skin moisturizers and cool compress or cool water baths may help decrease the pain. There is little evidence to suggest tradition treatments such as baking soda, aloe and oatmeal are effective pain relief but there is also a lack of decent studies. Oral pain control can be achieved with either aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen. After a day in the sun, dehydration is also a factor and adequate water intake should also be assured.

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Croatia

safetyhub — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 05:22:00 GMT

So we’ve all been there, you’ve read the guide books and done everything you think you could to prepare for your trip overseas. Then you arrive on your spectacular holiday and realize you should have brought your sweater, some sunscreen, extra cash... you get the idea.

We combed our network of adventure travel operators and asked them for their expert opinions on Croatia. Below are a couple tips to keep you traveling safe in Croatia and help you prepare for your vacation (and hopefully avoid the ‘oh no!’ moment).

Korcula, Croatia, Photo by [vacation2], Flickr.com

1. Think twice about renting a car.

The Balkan drivers definitely don’t take their time when they’re on the road and driving yourself might end up being more of a rollercoaster than a scenic drive. The bus system works well as does the train system, plus you’ll be able to meet some local friends by taking public transport!

2. Bring water shoes.

Maggie Soladay from Salaam Garage comments, “I wish I had known that the coast was rocky and that most beautiful water for swimming is hard to get to because if you jump in you can't get back out because sea urchins patrol the whole rocky stinging coast. I wish I would have brought water shoes, I would have worn them every day.”

3. Sunscreen is a must!

Our own Christy McCarthy from WorldNomads.com comments, “The sun can be very strong, so don’t underestimate the cloud cover – put on a sunscreen with a high SPF and don’t totally bake yourself.”

4. Save Money, Don’t Travel in Summer.

Our friends at Lonely Planet advise: Croatia is more expensive in the summer than it is from September to May. Accommodation, boat fares, car rental and anything else relating to tourism skyrockets in summer, reaching a peak in July and August.

5. Shake, Rattle & Roll.

Dubrovnik is in an earthquake zone and gets shaken up every so often. Buildings in the Old Town look old and crumbly but in fact the city government has been rigorous in implementing modern reinforcement techniques to stabilize the ancient structures so don’t worry too much but be prepared if you feel some tremors.

Want to learn a bit more about Croatia? Check out these great sites:

Lonely Planet Croatia

Croatia Tourism Board

Why Croatia?

What did you learn in Croatia and wish you knew before you went? Leave us a comment...

8 tips to stay city smart

safetyhub — Sun, 2 Aug 2009 01:36:00 GMT

Traveling in big cities is awesome, loads of culture, museums, sites and people – but unfortunately with big cities also comes a lot of crime and petty theft. So for all you country bumpkins out there, here are some tips to traveling safely in big cities.

1. Watch where you walk

Walk along major avenues and through heavily trafficked public areas as much as possible. Try to avoid walking through deserted areas like alleys or empty lots, especially at night.

2. If it looks sketchy...

Sketchy-looking neighborhoods usually are sketchy. We know you are looking for an adventure and all – but just don’t do it.

3. Be alert

One of the joys of traveling is standing goggle-eyed in front of some amazing site, but try to keep at least part of your mind on what is going on around you. If you are traveling in a group, maybe you can trade off this duty.

4. Banking... it's an inside job

If you're traveling alone use the ATMs inside the bank instead of on the street.

5. Are you a pickpocket magnet?

Make sure your valuables are in a very safe place. Pickpockets are good; you probably won't feel a thing if they steal your wallet. Watch out for narrow aisles of trains and on city buses or subway - the trickiest time on bus and subway is when you are getting on or off with a crush of people. Pickpockets often stand in the crowd right by the door so they can hop off as soon as they make a hit.

6. Being followed

If someone is following you just duck inside a store quickly and either 1. They’ll give up and keep going or 2. You can ask the storekeeper for help.

7. Hold on!

When sitting on a park bench, at a terrace for a coffee or even inside a restaurant never leave your camera, purse or backpack next to you, on a chair back or on the table. It’s best to keep those things on your lap or on the ground with a strap wrapped around your leg.

8. Making a police report

If something is stolen from you when you’re traveling be sure to go to the police station immediately to make a report: every neighborhood has one. Plenty of travelers don't take this step; it may not be a lot of fun, but chalk it up as a cultural experience. The police report is necessary to replace some things, especially if you need to make an insurance claim or replace documents. Additionally, making a report keeps this issue up front and hopefully will contribute to improving street safety.

Photo courtesy of pwbaker/Flickr.com

When bears attack! Practical tips for staying safe in the wilderness

safetyhub — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:00:00 GMT

One of my favorite quotes from Hunter S. Thompson is “Civilization ends at the waterline. Beyond that, we all enter the food chain, and not always right at the top.” I feel the same can be said for those who venture into the wilderness.

WorldNomads.com's roving medical and adventure expert Dr. Erik McLaughlin MD shares these practical tips to help you enjoy the North American wilderness from the top of the food chain.

Adventurers who enjoy hiking, tramping, cycling, climbing and outdoor pursuits should always be prepared for conditions they cannot control. You can run into stronger, nastier and faster animals than yourselves... and it's vital to know what to do.

Perhaps the most frightening animal to outdoor adventurers is the bear. I have a very healthy respect for bears of all types. Common sense should be used by those traveling through bear country and all bears should be considered dangerous.

Bear safety when you are camping:

Avoid camping in known bear feeding areas or movement routes
Keep garbage away from your campsite and do not camp in areas with garbage
Sleep in a tent and keep a flashlight inside
Keep sleeping bags partially unzipped for a quick get-away
Strongly consider carrying pepper spray or if properly trained, carry a firearm
Store food properly and keep it in bear-proof containers or hung in a tree, away from you
Cook and store food at a site away from your sleeping area
Try to change clothes after cooking and leave them with your food, away from your sleep area
Do not keep food, trail mix or energy bars in your tent or pockets when you sleep

When you are hiking or traveling:

Make lots of noise while moving so a bear is aware you are approaching
Do not rely on bear bells alone to produce adequate noise
Be aware of wind direction; an “upwind” bear cannot smell you
Heavy forested areas, rushing water, rain or fog can all act to decrease sound transmission. In these places be extra loud
Do not approach bears or any wild animal too close, especially not for a photograph or “better view”
If you observe signs of bears in the area (tracks, droppings or fresh prey carcasses) consider them to be close by
Avoid berry patches, elk grounds or streams with spawning fish because bears like to eat there

If you see a bear:

Allow the bear to see you are there. As a human, you are not one of their favorite meals
Avoid sudden movements or yelling
Do not climb a tree or attempt to run
Do not stare at the bear or make eye contact; look to one side or the other
Do not attempt to hide
Avoid standing next to objects such as tree stumps, bushes or things which will cause the bear to think you are anything but “human shaped”
Speak to the bear in a clear, calm voice to allow the bear to identify you as human

If attacked:

Do not run, climb trees, fight back or scream
Do not hold out an arm to ward of an attack
Drop to the ground and cover your head, in a fetal position
Curl into the smallest ball you can make yourself
Interlock your hands behind your head, covering your ears and use your elbows to protect your face
After you think the bear has left, try to move as little as possible while looking around
Try to see which way the bear went and travel in the opposite direction

If you are attempting to carry either a firearm or pepper spray, ensure you are properly trained to use these items. Fatal accidents can result from improper use or inadequate training.

Tips for avoiding other animal attacks

Avoid sudden movements around animals
Never pet an unknown dog
Never pet or kiss an animal, avoid petting them on the head
Do not reach into animal cages
After preparing food, wash your hands before touching an animal
Never leave children alone with animals
Do not try to take food or toys from an animal
Do not try to separate fighting animals

Perhaps the greatest danger from an animal attack or bite comes from the initial trauma of the bites or scratches. After the initial blood loss has been controlled and first aid has been rendered, there should be concern for infection. Often times, antibiotics are indicated following an animal bite, especially wild animals.

Rabies is always a concern and victims of animal attacks should speak with their health professional immediately about treatment or prevention following a bite. Frequently, stitching or tightly closing an animal bite will only serve to trap dangerous bacteria in the wound.

Finally, after being bitten, do not forget to check the status of your last tetanus shot.

Bear scare gadgets

Before hitting the trails in North America, you might like to whack these into your hiking pack...

Bear pepper spray

Bear bells

Swine Flu & Travel Insurance - Updated 24 July

safetyhub — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 03:00:00 GMT

WorldNomads.com's Insurance Director, Graham Kingaby, gives an overview of how the current Swine Flu outbreak could affect your travel insurance cover.

Regardless of who your current travel insurance provider might be

Check with your provider to see what their cover is as it relates to both cancellation and medical coverage, particularly in regards to travel warnings from your local government.
Travel insurance policies can vary between underwriters, so please ensure that you read the Policy Wording Documents prior to purchasing.

Advice for World Nomads Policy Holders

This information is provided by the insurers who underwrite the policies for World Nomads customers.

It is relevant for:

customers currently travelling
customers who have purchased but have not yet departed
those considering purchasing
those considering travel to these areas who have not yet purchased a policy

NOTE: Latest Advice available for Aust/NZ residents: 09 July 2009

Click here to read the information (PDF format, 36K. Updated 09 July 2009)

NOTE: Latest Advice available for UK, US and Rest of World residents: 24 July 2009

Click here to read the information (PDF format, 120K. Updated 24 July 2009)

Avoiding Swine Flu: tips for travellers

Swine Flu can be spread from person to person, so travelers, particularly in affected areas are advised to:

Use frequent hand washing
Sanitary disposal of dirty tissues
Avoidance of those with cough, sneeze or flu-like symptoms.
Also, those who are sick with flu-like symptoms should stay home from work or school and seek medical attention immediately.

As the disease outbreaks are changing constantly, it is best to refer to reputable news sources for up to date information about the spread. Additionally, check out the FluTracker map.

Questions? Contact Customer Service

If you have any specific questions in the meantime, do not hesitate to contact Customer Service.

If you also have an RSS feed reader, then subscribe to the Safety Hub Feed to receive notifications of any updates. You can also follow Travel Safety Hub on Twitter.

Keep Travelling Safely

Travel Immunizations - What you Really Need in Asia

safetyhub — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:18:00 GMT

No matter what country you're from and what you call immunizations (jabs, shots, pricks, inmunización, nadel) the bottom line is you probably need to get some before you do any traveling to third world countries. We asked our adventure friends around the world what they thought and below are their recommendations for travel to Asia.

(Photo courtesy of One World Trekking)

Andy Crisconi of One World Trekking recommends:

I receive immunization questions all the time from clients. Personally, I believe in getting the minimum recommended or required by the country being visited. Most people hate shots and they are/have become a rather expensive part of trip preparations. Most of my treks are in the Himalayan countries of South Asia.

Minimums I recommend to my clients are:

Adult polio booster
Tetanus / diphtheria
Hepatitis A
Typhoid
Yellow Fever (required for all South America trips)
Malaria medication only if visiting the jungle areas of these countries.

Doctors and travel clinics tend to err towards more shots to cover all possible situations, so I think it important that each individual traveler and the tour operator do the research and discuss the options. Also, many times different shot or pills are recommended depending on the time of year you visit a certain country. For folks wanting to visit Nepal during the monsoon months, I may recommend they also get a Meningitis shot.

In terms of general travel safety in Asia, a few tips I would also offer are:

1. Water safety: Assume all water to be contaminated. Drink bottled or properly boiled water only. Brush your teeth with bottled or properly boiled water only and keep your mouth closed while taking a shower.

2. Be a compulsive hand washer.
A bottle of hand sanitizer should be carried with you during the trek and be used after visiting the restroom, before each meal, after handling paper bills and coins, before putting-in or taking-out contact lenses... Hepatitis A and Typhoid are passed in human feces, so be a compulsive hand cleaner.

3. Typhoid
The Typhoid vaccine is strongly recommended for Asia and is available in both pill and shot form.

Dr. Erik McLaughlin, World Nomads’ Adventure Doc also recommends

1. Get a rabies vaccine beforehand!
Did you know that Rabies is 99.9999% fatal once contracted? And there is a worldwide rabies vaccine shortage at the moment?

Trekkers in developing nations are in an area where the is a much higher incidence of rabies than most industrial nations. Additionally, most people do not expect to be bitten by a dog or animal; this is what makes it an accident.

If you're bitten, your expensive trip is basically over, right there. That person needs to evacuate to a large city with proper medical care, although The post-exposure prophylaxis is generally indicated and may be difficult to find. Most rural and developing nation hospitals may not use the safer rabies vaccines instead using older types with risk to the traveler, such as severe allergic reaction.

Pre-exposure shots would have helped prevent this, although they are also hard to come by currently.

I try to discuss pros and cons with people but am a big fan of this vaccine, just because of the seriousness of the illness. I would DEMAND my mother or wife got this vaccine prior to trekking in a remote area and consequently offer the same advice to my patients. At the end of the day, the choice belongs to the patient/traveler.

2. Avoid mozzie bites
Use DEET and permethrin, long sleeves and pants and bed nets to prevent insect bites.

3. Consider Japanese Encephalitis vaccine
JE is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes making it very difficult to prevent - and treatment once acquired, is only supportive. This means that once you actually get the illness, there is not a lot that can be done about it. However, a new (and safer) vaccine against JE has been developed and is worth considering if you are travelling in SE Asia. Find out more here

Of course always check with your doctor, but here is a handy list of what shots are recommended by country from The Travel Doctor as well as a link to the Center for Disease Control’s Traveler’s Health page.

Travel Immunizations - What you Really Need in Africa

safetyhub — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:03:00 GMT

So nobody likes getting shots but it seems every time you get ready to take a trip overseas you receive a laundry list of recommended immunizations. We asked our adventure friends around the world what they thought and below are their recommendations.

(Photo Coutesty of Africa Adventure Consultants)

Kent Redding from Africa Adventure Consultants recommends:

Basically, in Africa you don’t want to mess around. We recommend that clients get all the recommended inoculations, which vary by country, but often include, M. Meningitis, typhoid, polio, tetanus, and yellow fever.

Also recommend anti-malaria in almost every location. We even had our kids (ages 4 and 5) get all they could. I’ve had malaria several times and believe me you don’t want to get it. The shots hurt your arm and your pocket book but give you peace of mind and protection while on safari in Africa.

Leslie Nevison from Mamatembo Tours recommends:

The most misinformation that I encounter about an infectious disease is about malaria. Travelers who take an anti-malarial medication often feel more secure than they should about not catching it. They should still cover up bare arms and legs at dusk, use repellent, and sleep under a net as we all do who live in Africa. No meds are 100 % effective. It takes just one infected mosquito.

I have had malaria, once when I was on meds and once when I wasn't. For those of us who spend long periods of time in malaria zones there is the theory that we are better off not taking meds, that they mask the symptoms, but this is an easily regrettable decision when someone close to you is struck down by their next attack. For short term visitors, it should be a much easier decision. Take the medication, cover up at dusk, and sleep under a net.

For my short term safari guests I have always suggested that the rabies vaccine isn't necessary. Yet a recent experience has led me to change my mind. I had the pre-exposure vaccinations myself in 2007. I am not sure exactly what made me decide to have them after ten years on the African continent and 30 years of travel altogether to any number of destinations where rabies is a risk. But I am now thankful I did. While walking in a pleasant rural area of Zambia, I was badly bitten by a local dog. It was an unprovoked attack and over in minutes.

I still had to have post-exposure boosters which are readily available in Lusaka but if I had had to seek them in South Africa or elsewhere, the pre-exposure vaccines I had several years ago allowed me greater protection and peace of mind. It is difficult to put a price on peace of mind.

Of course always check with your doctor, but here is a handy list of what jabs are recommended by country from the TravelDoctor.

Costa Rica: Travel Immunizations

safetyhub — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:10:00 GMT

Costa Rica is a fabulous destination and any style of traveler will find something fun and exciting to do there. The vast majority of travelers will have no health problems on their adventure. However, travel to the tropics is different that travel to other parts of the world. Planning ahead for potential problems, preparing a good first aid kit and getting a check of your immunizations can do a lot to help minimize health problems on your trip.

WorldNomads.com's roving medical expert Dr. Erik McLaughlin MD talks through the pills, potions and jabs you'll need for a trip to exotic Costa Rica.

Ready, set... GO!

Start evaluating your immunizations at least 8 weeks prior to travel and longer if possible. A very important step and a good place to start this process is by obtaining a copy of your childhood vaccine records.

Most travelers from developed nations have received a primary childhood series of “routine” immunizations. These immunizations should include protection against measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pneumococcal, H. Influenza, diphtheria, pertussis and varicella (chicken pox). Most travelers under the age of thirty years have also received their vaccine against hepatitis B, as well.

For those without access to their childhood vaccine records, speaking with your doctor well in advance of your trip can allow time for a simple blood test to check for titers. Titers are markers in your blood that indicate immunity against a certain illness and those with previous vaccinations will have high titers, indicating protection. This is a way to confirm if you’ve had vaccines in the past but do not have records, on paper.

Recommended vaccines for a traveler to Costa Rica include a series to protect against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies (if you'll have contact with animals).

Hep A

Hepatitis A (liver infection) is a common problem for travelers and should be considered a required immunization. Once you have completed the series of three shots, given 6 months apart, you are considered immune to this for life.

Generally a mild illness in healthy adults, this infection can still ruin a trip and be serious in those with chronic health problems.

Hep. A is generally acquired through a fecal-oral route; meaning improper hygiene. Those visiting less-developed nations used to be the primary concern for this illness, but not anymore. A common story for Hepatitis A is a food worker who hasn’t washed their hands and 5-star restaurants can run this risk the same as the road-side food stands.

Hep B

Hepatitis B is another infection that affects the liver but can cause life-long complications.

This viral, liver infection is commonly transmitted through contact with body fluids. Unprotected sex, sharing needles and unsanitary medical equipment are frequent culprits.

Hepatitis B vaccine should be strongly considered by all travelers, regardless of their risks. Once you have completed the three-shot series you are considered immune for life.

Even travelers who do not plan to have unprotected sex or share needles can be at risk. Traffic accidents still represent one of the largest threats to travelers and severe accidents can often land one in the local emergency room. This traumatic injury can lead to a need for transfusion of blood products or at the very least getting an IV/drip. Unfortunately, not all countries screen their blood products well and blood infected with Hep. B may be inadvertently used. Another unfortunate situation that is all too common is the re-use of needles and IV/drips between patients. This is done simply due to a lack of medical supplies.

Typhoid

Typhoid is a bacterial infection (Salmonella Typhi) that is found worldwide but is more common in developing nations. The most common method of infections is through ingestion of contaminated food and/or water. Rash, fever and bloody diarrhea are common symptoms.

An oral, pill form of vaccine is generally the preferred method versus the older injectable version. The series of pills is taken over 5 days and can include some minimal side effects of nausea or headaches. Completion of the series provides protection for up to 5 years.

Unfortunately the typhoid vaccine only provides 40-80% immunity and even those who have completed the vaccine course should exercise caution with their eating habits.

Grrrr!... rabies

Rabies is a viral infection acquired from the bite of an infected mammal. This is a 100% fatal disease if acquired and left untreated. Travelers who are at risk for coming into contact with stray dogs, mammalian wildlife or virtually any animal should consider this vaccine. Children are an especially vulnerable population as their natural curiosity in animals may lead to “trying to pet” a stray dog and a subsequent bite.

There is currently a world-wide rabies vaccine shortage and this can be difficult to obtain. Most locations are attempting to reserve their supplies for use on those who have already been bitten.

Should any traveler be bitten by an unknown animal they should immediately seek medical care and strongly consider completing a series of injections known as “post-exposure prophylaxis”. Do not delay in seeking treatment as this illness can be rapidly fatal. First aid for a bite includes controlling blood loss and a thorough cleaning with soap and water.

Whilst we offer tips for your travel health and safety, please be aware that you need to make decisions based on your own circumstances. Check with your local travel health doctor for what is right for you.

Exotic nasties in Costa Rica

safetyhub — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:43:00 GMT

The sublime tropical climate of Costa Rica brings a few interesting and exotic nasties. WorldNomads.com's roving medical expert Dr. Erik McLaughlin MD just loves tropical medicine and helps sort out your trypanosomiasis from your Leptospirosis.

Malaria

Costa Rica is a tropical country and there is a risk of malaria in certain areas. Travelers should speak with their travel health professional about where, exactly, they will be traveling and their personal risk.

Malaria is a mosquito-borne illness and spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Obviously, limiting exposure to biting mosquitoes is critical in preventing malaria.

The malaria risk areas in Costa Rica generally include Alajuela, Limón, Guanacaste, and Heredia provinces. There is no risk in Limón city (Puerto Limón). This information can change depending on season, rainfall and the unpredictable nature of mosquitoes.

The advised medication for malaria prevention in Costa Rica is chloroquine.

Dengue fever

Dengue fever is a viral illness spread by the bites of mosquitoes. Typical symptoms are similar to a flu-like illness, often accompanied with a rash. There is no effective vaccine against dengue. A traveler can take steps to prevent dengue fever by avoiding mosquito bites. Read more about Dengue Fever here.

Chagas disease

Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) is another insect-borne illness transmitted by the Reduviid bug. In Central America the insect is also known as a “chinche” bug, although other local nicknames may be commonly used. Primarily an infection associated with rural locations, these insects like to live in poorly constructed houses. Travelers may be at risk should they be visiting these locations and especially if sleeping in these types of “un-improved” houses.

Victims usually acquire the infection through the bug biting the skin and then defecating while feeding. The person then swats at the bug that is biting them, grinding the insect feces into the freshly made bite-wound. (ewww!)

Most infections are mild and feature fatigue, lymph node swelling and fevers, although 20-30% can have further complications later in life. This infection is diagnosed with a blood test and treated with a special type of antibiotic.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a microscopic spirochete that affects travelers who come into contact with infected fresh water. Travelers who participate in outdoor sports such as whitewater rafting, kayaking, lake/river swimmers, hikers and bikers who venture off-road are considered at risk.

This organism penetrates skin and often gets some help when infected water is splashed onto skinned or scraped surfaces such as knees or elbows. Adventurous travelers can acquire this from water sources even as small as a puddle because it is spread though infected animal urine. Basically, anywhere an animal may urinate that has water nearby can be risky.

Symptoms of leptospirosis can vary widely, based on over 100 different types of infectious organisms. Common symptoms include muscle aches (especially of the legs), a yellowing of the skin, fever and reddening of the eyes.

Travelers at especially high risk can speak with their travel doc about taking a weekly dose of the antibiotic doxycycline to prevent illness. Doxycycline can promote sunburns and sun sensitivity and may also cause vaginal yeast infections (thrush) in women.

Yellow fever

So, you've read this far, and now you're thingking - 'What? There's even more to beware of?' Well, here's a small bit of good news! There is no yellow fever risk in Costa Rica. Travelers coming in from other countries with yellow fever will be required to show prior immunization.

Travel medical resources and links

These organizations have great websites that list English speaking doctors in the area:

International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT)

International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM)

Also, check out the Centre for Disease Control for the latest Costa Rica health advice

Costa Rica Surf Safety Tips

safetyhub — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:12:00 GMT

Few places in the world can offer travelers volcanoes towering up to 12,530 feet and a seemingly endless 700 miles of coastline on the Pacific and Caribbean like Costa Rica can. Though Costa Rica is known for many of its great tourism specialties there is one that should never be overlooked: surfing.

Why is Costa Rica called 'The Hawaii of the Central America"?

Costa Rica's appeal is easy to understand:

Consistent surf year-round
Warm water
Easy access to thousands of breaks
Surf conditions from mild to mind-blowing
Surf camps and international tournaments
Affordable prices

Where to surf

There are three main areas to surf: The Pacific North (Guanacaste-Nicoya), the Pacific South (Punta Arenas) and the Caribbean. There are also cool surf towns popping up in Jaco, Tamarindo and Puerto Viejo. The best waves occur in the rainy season (Northern Hemisphere 'summer') on the pacific side, and in the hot dry season ('winter') on the Caribbean – so you’ll always be able to find a good break.

Some of the beaches that are considered the safest:

Playas Rajada and Jobo near La Cruz
Bahía Junquillal Wildlife Refuge
Play Hermosa in northern Guanacaste
Plays del Coco
Sámara
Carillo
Bahía Ballena/Tambor
Beacheson the Golfo Dulce between Puerto Jimenez and Golfito
The third beach at Manuel Antonio
Little Dominicalito in Dominical
Uvita

These beaches that are known for riptides, so be careful or just avoid them altogether:

Espadilla at Manuel Antonio
Jacó
Dominical Beach

Surfing Costa Rica Safely:

Watch for riptides
They are responsible for 80% of the drowning in Costa Rica! Take a minute and visit this site to learn how to spot a riptide and what to do if you get caught in one.

Yes, there are crocodiles
Some break points feed into river mouths where crocs tend to hang out so ask locals to find the safest, croc-free areas.

Rocky Ride
Most of the break points in Costa Rica have sand bottoms for your riding pleasure, though some areas still have pesky sea-floor rocks so wearing a wet suit isn’t a bad idea.

Watch the weather
It is bound to change in an instant and you don’t want to be stuck way out when a big lightning storm comes through.

Mind the surf conditions!
Though consistent, the surf is not known to get abnormally big, and with a little research you can find an area that’s right for you. Surf Reports and Forecasts.

Wear a leash
Not only is it a law at many beaches, but wearing a leash is an important way to keep your board close to you and to keep it from becoming a hazard to other surfers.

Play nice

But before you get that wet suit on always remember Surfing Etiquette:

The person closest to the breaking wave always has the right of way
Pay respect to locals, it is after all ‘their’ break
Don’t steal other riders’ wave, be patient, your turn will come
Don’t surf drunk, just don’t do it – you endanger yourself and others
Most beaches don’t allows surfers in swimming zones so respect local laws

Costa Rica could have almost earned its name (meaning rich coast) just for the surfing. For such a small country (a little smaller in size than Louisiana), Costa Rica packs a bigger tourism punch than countries more than twice is it size! So sit back, suit up and enjoy all that Costa Rica has to offer.

Tell us your surfing experiences in Costa Rica?

Adventure Travel Safety Checklist

safetyhub — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:06:00 GMT

We know you love to travel, and that most of you have been there and done that, but here is a quick checklist of things you just might not have thought of.

Adventure sports and holiday larks

Hiking Holidays - what to pack just in case!

Hiking holidays are a great way to spend your time off. These trips are often done at new trails and areas you've never been before and that is part of the excitement.

Scuba Diving - essential safety tips

Scuba diving is one of the world’s most thrilling and fascinating sports – it’s easy to learn and it’s safe too if you follow some simple rules.

Snow Safety - Going Big? Get a lid!

Most people I spoke to wouldn't ride a bike trail without wearing their helmet; it's just too risky. So, why doesn't this translate to snow sports? Find out why helmets are essential on the slopes. also, some tips for avoiding Frostbite

Surf Safety Tips: in search of the endless summer

We looked to Costa Rica and it's 700 miles of coastline for tips on where and how to stay safe in the surf.

How to Safely Ride a Camel

Now this is the kind of well-heeled adventure travel advice you might expect from us. Don't say we don't go to the ends of the earth (with camel-rash and a sore bum!) to keep you travelling safely.

Staying Healthy Abroad

11 Tips for Overseas Hospital Treatment

You could have sworn that sushi smelt funny. Unfortunately that thought is two hours too late and now you're curled up in the toilet inventing a new guttural language. And then a new fear strikes you. You're in a foreign country, alone, and you really should go to hospital. Or should you? What do you need to know? What should you look out for?

What You Need to Know about Dengue Fever

WorldNomads.com's roving medical expert Dr. Erik McLaughlin MD explains why tropical travelers should get up to speed on Dengue Fever.

Am I at Risk for Deep Vein Thrombosis?

Most international travelers are used to having to sit in the same position, for long periods of time. Airline travel is a prime example of this and is often a necessary evil of discovering new places. Long-distance travel carries with it a risk of DVT (deep vein thrombus), commonly known as blood clots.

Get a Gastro Kit for Upset Tummies!

When Gastro strikes, one simple collection of handy travel items can help you through what is a most unpleasant situation.

8 Tips for Staying Healthy on the Road

Think about how miserable and vulnerable you feel when you're really ill at home... Now multiply that misery by ten when you're alone in a country where medical standards are questionable, you don't speak the language, and you're not sure what you've got. In the firm knowledge that prevention is better than cure, Sensible Sanchez offers up these eight top tips for staying healthy on the road.

6 Tips for Travel Health Before You Go

If you've ever been really sick in a strange land, you know that this is one area you should take seriously. It is at best uncomfortable and at worst, extremely expensive and sometimes frightening. So, before you stuff your bikini or iPod into that backpack, make sure you've also looked after the really important stuff. There is a great deal you can do before you set off to be prepared. Here's Sensible Sanchez’s 6 top health tips.

Travel Safety

Travel Safety Tips from a Policewoman

If it was your job to look for bad guys, be acutely aware of your surroundings and always keep your wits about you, would it change the way you travel?

We talked to Jade, a detective with the Australian Police Force about her upcoming trip and how she successfully travels alone.

Tips for Women Travelers

By taking some basic security precautions both prior to departure and while away, women travelers can greatly reduce the travel risks they might otherwise face.

8 Tips for Keeping Your Luggage Safe

There's two parts to this discussion – planning the right luggage before you go and then how to use it safely when you’re on the road. As usual, Sensible Sanchez says the best advice is just to use your common sense! Read on for more tips we've gathered to keep you travelling safely.

Travel Scams 101

You're sure to meet friendly locals and enjoy warm hospitality on the road – that's the spice of travelling life. However, as at home, not everyone is as genuine as they seem. There are many slick operators out there, not to mention the outright criminals. Sensible Sanchez highlights some of the more common traps for young players here in Travel Scams 101...

Travel Scams – The Advanced Course

Scammers are ultimately people preying on your ignorance for their own benefit. You don't want to spend your holidays wary of everyone and everything around you – travel is after all, an opportunity to try new things. However, even for experienced travellers, sorting out what you see and hear from reality can be tricky. If you've already read Travel Scams 101, here's more food for thought.

Travel Insurance 101

Does your travel insurance cover your adventure?

Sandboarding? Yep! Elephant riding? Yep! Glacier Walking? Yep! Shark Cage Diving? Nope! Check out this A-Z list of activities and find out if your adventure is covered.

Will the Swine Flu Outbreak Affect Your Insurance Cover?

• Check with your provider to see what their cover is as it relates to both cancellation and medical coverage, particularly in regards to travel warnings from your local government.

• Travel insurance policies can vary between underwriters, so please ensure that you read the Policy Wording Documents prior to purchasing.

• Watch WorldNomads.com's Insurance Director, Graham Kingaby, gives an overview of how the current Swine Flu outbreak could affect your travel insurance cover.

Travel Warnings & Terrorism – Are You Covered?

WorldNomads.com's Insurance Director, Graham Kingaby, recently wrote a post on Travel Insurance & Terrorism to better explain when a policy would cover you and when it would not.

Traveler’s Diarrhea

safetyhub — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:27:00 GMT

Traveler’s Diarrhea is perhaps the most common problem to be faced by travelers, anywhere. The causes of traveler’s diarrhea can range from viral to bacterial but the most common is E. Coli bacteria.

WorldNomads.com's roving medical expert Dr. Erik McLaughlin MD advises common sense + good hygiene as the best way to prevent this.

If the cook has a sore on their hand, try to avoid eating there. If the place looks dirty, chances are the food will be dirty, too. Ensure your food is properly cooked, drink clean water (bottled or purified) and watch fruits and veggies that are not washed with clean water. Pouring that bottled water over ice cubes made from unclean water will not help... skip the ice unless you know where the water came from.

From dehydration to re-hydration

The biggest problem with traveler’s diarrhea is dehydration and first line treatment is oral rehydration. Not only does rehydration often require more water than people think, it also requires some special electrolytes in the water they drink.

A sports drink (Gatorade, powerade, lucozade, etc) often works well and several glasses of this should be drunk each day there are symptoms of TD. If you get into a tight spot and cannot find a sports drink, you can make your own with a pinch of salt and a few spoons of sugar into a glass of clean water. Even if the person has vomiting and appears to be throwing up all their liquids, keep drinking! Some of the fluid is getting into the body.

Sometimes the diarrhea can be so severe one needs to seek medical help. A few signs that you've reached this stage include the presence of blood in the diarrhea, fevers and severe abdominal cramping. These are all signs that the bacteria are invading the body by penetrating the intestinal lining.

Better in than out?

The use of loperamide (anti-diarrheal medicine) is controversial. While loperamide does prevent diarrhea, that may not always be a good thing. If a traveler has an invasive and especially strong infection you are essentially trapping the bacteria in the intestine/colon where it can do the most amount of damage. Diarrhea is the body’s way of excreting these damaging microbes. Travelers who do not know the cause of their diarrhea should use loperamide with caution as they may be doing more harm than good.

Medications to treat traveler’s diarrhea include the quinolone family, especially the world famous ciprofloxacine. Some parts of the world are developing resistance to this antibiotic and azithromycin is considered a good alternative. Savvy travelers can speak with their doctor, prior to departure, about taking a supply of antibiotics to be used if they develop a severe case of TD. These medications should not be taken as prevention - better to hold them in reserve for when symptoms strike.

Those travelers who simply cannot afford to be slowed down by diarrhea (business meetings, honeymoons, athletes, etc) can speak with their doctor about using bismuth subsalicylate (pepto bismol) as preventative measures. Taking 2 tabs every morning and two tabs every night for the duration of the trip has been shown to decrease rates of TD. This may not be for everybody and good advice is to speak with your doctor prior to using this regimen.

Travel Safety Tips for Women Travelers

safetyhub — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:18:00 GMT

So you’ve packed your common sense and are all ready to go out and explore the world, but remember that old Boy Scout motto? ‘always be prepared!’ By taking some basic security precautions both prior to departure and while away, women travelers can greatly reduce the travel risks they might otherwise face. We searched the web for a experts on travel safety for women and here is what we’ve come up with.

What the Detectives Have to Say:

Jade, an Australian police detective, recommends the following for women traveling alone:

“My number one tip is when going out to remember to get the business card of where you are staying before you head out to show to the cab driver/tuk tuk driver/donkey to get home again.

I make sure now that someone knows where I am and when they are next likely to hear from me again just in case something goes wrong in between. I take a mobile with me for emergencies when I'm on my own too.

It’s just about trying to maintain a balance between having a great time and keeping myself safe.”

What the Experts Suggest:

We found some great safety tips for women over at KevinCoffee.com, such as:

Study a map before going out; once on the street, use a pocket-size guidebook to avoid looking like a tourist. Your hotel's concierge or a female employee can mark any dangerous areas on your map.

Avoid jewelry--even a chain that's fake gold can be ripped off your neck. Do consider wearing a wedding ring.

Talk to female passengers and flight attendants on the plane about the safety of your destination.

In public rest rooms, use the corner stall.

Stand near the elevator buttons with your back to the wall; if threatened, push all the buttons at once with your back.

Request one near the elevators and away from any renovation work. Have your key out when you leave the elevator.

To see the full list of tips have a look over at KevinCoffee.com

Japanese Encephalitis: New Vaccine and Advice

safetyhub — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 02:00:00 GMT

For travelers headed to Asia, avoidance of Japanese Encephalitis should be a priority as high as finding a decent noodle bar.

WorldNomads.com's roving medical expert Dr. Erik McLaughlin MD tells us about new developments in a vaccine and once again reminds us to avoid mozzies!

What is Japanese Encephalitis?

A traveler does not need to have a degree in infectious diseases to know that Japanese Encephalitis is found in Asia. This is because, unlike so many of the other viral illnesses, the name is quite simple when broken down. Encephalitis features the Greek root word “encephalo” meaning brain and “itis” meaning inflammation or infection. So we have an inflammation/infection of the brain that is found in Japan and Asia.

Where is it found?

Japanese Encephalitis is found in a large area, covering much of Asia and specifically South East Asia - see the map below. This is considered primarily a disease of rural environments and those traveling to farming areas are considered at special risk.

The time of year is a special concern, as well. Although the disease is active year-round, rainy seasons increase mosquito populations, generally causing an increase in the number of cases.

JE is very important to travelers because approximately 30,000-50,000 cases are diagnosed each year, in the regions it is found. Of these cases, the majority are asymptomatic but of those infections with symptoms, up to 30% are fatal. Also, most experts agree that the number of reported cases is much less than actual cases.

How do I get it and what does it cause?

This viral illness is a frequent problem for travelers, not necessarily because of the infection itself but because the vaccine against it is quite controversial.

JE is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes making it very difficult to prevent - and treatment once acquired, is only supportive. This means that once you actually get the illness, there is not a lot that can be done about it, other than keeping the victim comfortable with adequate hydration, fever reduction and pain control. Symptoms of JE typically include high fevers, headaches, disorientation and sometimes seizures.

How do I prevent it?

Preventing infection with JE still centers on avoiding mosquito bites. Bite prevention is best accomplished with a two-fold approach including barrier methods such as bed nets, long sleeves and long pants. Second, using chemical insect repellents such as DEET body spray and permethrin treated clothing are strongly advised. Avoidance of outdoor activity during peak mosquito biting times (dusk/dawn) should also be attempted.

Vaccines against JE

Recently, a new vaccine against Japanese Encephalitis has become approved in the USA named Ixiaro. This vaccine is currently awaiting approval in the EU. This is a major step forward in protecting travelers because the previous vaccine was often difficult to obtain and had many side effects.

The old vaccine was made with mouse-brain tissue and carried a lot of risk with it, prompting travel docs to be hesitant when advising those to use it. The old JE vaccine was especially known to cause severe allergic reactions. Previously, the vaccine was advised for those traveling to rural areas and planning extended travels, for a month or more. Also, those planning camping and outdoor sleeping were considered good candidates for the vaccine.

However, all things change and with the development of a new and safer vaccine against JE, so have the recommendations to travelers in these areas. A recent article in the Journal of Travel Medicine looks at this new vaccine and analyzes the recommendations from an “expert group” looking at travel vaccines. From their meeting, the following advice was generated about who should be receiving the new and safer JE vaccine.

Who should receive the new JE vaccine?

All expatriates
Repeat travelers who frequent the area and have prolonged stays
Any person traveling to rural areas
Travelers wishing maximum protection

Persons who should consider the new JE vaccine include:

Those with increased outdoor exposure
Persons over 50 years of age
Children less than 10 years of age
Those with chronic medical conditions

What does this all mean for travelers?

Previously, the risk of severe reaction to a JE vaccine caused many travelers to avoid this protective measure. Currently, a new and safer vaccine appears to be free of these previous side-effects. This means travelers have a better weapon against preventing this potentially fatal illness. Hopefully, this will prompt travelers headed to Asia to discuss this new vaccine with their travel doctors and have more peace of mind with a safer vaccine.

Small nasty critters; what you need to know about Aussie spiders

safetyhub — Mon, 4 May 2009 01:11:00 GMT

No doubt, you've just read our other post on Australia's dangerous animals "The Big Bite: Aussie sharks and crocs" and are relieved to discover that it's more likely you'll be killed by lightening than die in the jaws of a great white shark. Phew!

But hang on, what about all the little critters - those sneaky spiders? It's much more likely that you'll encounter one or other of these on your Australian adventure, so it's important to put in context exactly what you're dealing with and how to stay safe.

Spiders

Only two spiders, the funnel-web and the red-back, are currently considered dangerous in Australia. All spiders have venom glads, but only a few of the large species have fangs to actually puncture skin and cause a reaction.

There have been no deaths in Australia from a confirmed spider bite since 1979. However, approximately 2000 people are bitten each year by Redback Spiders (an effective anti-venom for Redback Spiders was introduced in 1956), and Funnel-web spider anti-venom has been given to at least 100 patients since 1980 when it was first developed. *

* Grateful to the Australian Museum for these statistics

How do I prevent spider bites?

Always shake out your shoes before putting them on,
Avoid leaving clothes or towels on the floor,
Wear shoes when you're playing outside and also at night.
Always wear gloves when gardening.

How to treat spider bites (non venomous)

It follows that the most important decision in managing a spiderbite is to decide if the spider is a possible Funnel Web Spider a Red Back Spider, or another type of spider. For most 'other' types of spider bites :

Use an ice pack to lessen the pain and swelling.
Paracetamol may help if you are in pain.
Antihistamines could be useful if you are very itchy.

Bandaging is not necessary for Redback Spider bites. Applying pressure worsens the pain that often comes with Redback bites.

First aid for Funnel-web spider bites:

The main job of first-aid for a funnel-web spider bite is to prevent funnel-web venom from passing through to the lymphatic system and eventually into the bloodstream. The pressure/immobilisation technique (as for snake bite) does this by compressing surface tissues and reducing muscle movement, so greatly slowing the lymphatic flow.

Apply a pressure bandage as tightly as for a sprained ankle, starting from the bitten area and binding the entire limb above the bite.
Bind a rigid splint onto the limb to prevent limb movement.
Keep the patient as calm and quiet as possible
Seek medical attention immediately
If possible, keep the spider for positive identification.

It's an emergency!

If you need emergency help or witness someone who does, the phone number to dial in Australia for emergency services (Ambulance, Police and Fire) is 000.

Thanks to:

Australian Museum Online for first aid tips on Spider Bites and Funnel Web Bites
Ryan Wick at Flickr.com for the photo

The Big Bite: Aussie sharks & crocs

safetyhub — Mon, 4 May 2009 00:26:00 GMT

"Crikey! It's dangerous Down Under!" ...Or so goes the cliched view about Australian wildlife. Most travellers to Australia are surprised and relieved to arrive and find that the beaches are not swarming with sharks and Croc Dundee really was just a movie, not a way of life.

It's true that Australia has some large and savage beasts, but let's put them into perspective. Statistically speaking it's more likely you'll be killed by lightening or fatal bee sting than by a croc or shark attack.

The general rule of thumb is to look, but don't touch - most of the country's dangerous animals are only unsafe if provoked. If you take away nothing else from this article, remember not to poke the animals with a stick. Aside from this, here's some more practical tips to keep you safe during your Aussie adventure.

Crocodiles

In Australia, there are two types of crocodiles - Freshwater (Freshies) which are smaller, less threatening and are not capable of killing a human; and Saltwater (Salties) which are much larger, more aggressive and much, much more serious. Don't think that because they're called Saltwater crocs, you'll only find them in the sea. They generally spend the tropical wet season in freshwater swamps and rivers, moving downstream to estuaries in the dry season, and sometimes traveling far out to sea.

As these Salties start at around 2 metres long and can get as big as 6 metres, it's unlikely you'll find one in your shoe or under your teacup. So you do have a chance to be prepared in advance. It can be hard however, to recognise when you've entered croc territory as they're well disguised, rarely showing themselves and approaching their targets very stealthily.

As crocs are often found in remote areas and wilderness, help could be far off, so it's best to err on the side of caution and pay attention to these tips:

How do I Avoid a Croc Attack?

Thinking about swimming or boating:

If you see a crocodile sign, do not go swimming, padling or wading. At all. Not even your big toe.
If you're in an area where you know salties are present, the same thing applies; no swimming. Especially at night.
Don't sit on branches overhanging croc creeks
Be careful in boats - don't dangle your feet over the edge.

If you're camping, remember, these guys are great at lunging out of the water and grabbing stuff from the banks. So,

Set up at least 50 metres from the edge of the water
Be very cautious about collecting water and Don't collect it from the same spot everyday
Don't leave leftover food need the water
Don't clean fish at the edge of the water or share your fish guts with them.

Sharks

With 25,000 thousand kilometers of coastline, it's a point of pride that nearly every Aussie was taught to swim as a kid, and a love of the beach sits in heart of the nation's identity. Most locals will get through their whole life as keen swimmers and never encounter a shark up close. But it's also true that some parts of the coast are more dangerous than others so it's worth knowing how to stay safe.

Tips to avoid a shark attack (for swimmers)

Always swim at a patrolled beach and between the red and yellow flags - a shark alarm siren will sound if a shark is sighted at a patrolled beach.
Don't swim too far from shore - this will isolate you.
Swim in groups as sharks are more likely to attack an individual.
Avoid swimming when it's dark or during twilight hours when sharks are most active
and have a sensory advantage.
Avoid waters with known effluents or sewage and areas that are used by
recreational or commercial fishers.
Avoid areas with signs of bait fish or fish feeding activity - diving seabirds are a good indicator of such activity.
Do not rely on sightings of dolphins to indicate the absence of sharks - both often feed together on the same food.
Exercise caution when swimming in water between sandbars or near steep drop offs - these are favourite hangouts for sharks.
Do not swim near seal colonies. Seals are a main food source for White Pointer sharks
Do not enter or stay in the water if bleeding. Sharks can sense blood diluted millions of times in water.

What to do if you see a shark?

Leave the water immediately if a shark is sighted (really people, this is common sense.)
Do not harass a shark if you see one. It may harass you back.
When paddling or swimming away from a shark, use the smoothest stroke you can muster in the situation. Panic will attract the shark.
Alert other people on the beach and especially the life guards if they're present so they can sound the alarm.

Thanks to these groups for invaluable Shark Info
Surfrider foundation
NSW Govt (Media Release PDF Jan 09)
SurfLifeSaving Fact Sheet on Sharks

Really want more info? Here's global map of shark attacks

It's an emergency!

If you need emergency help or witness someone who does, the phone number to dial in Australia for emergency services (Ambulance, Police and Fire) is 000.

Travel Alert: Swine Flu overview

safetyhub — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:49:00 GMT

WorldNomads.com's roving medical expert Dr. Erik McLaughlin MD writes a brief overview about Swine Flu.

Army officer handing out face masks in Mexico City. (25 April 09) Photo by -Chupacabras-.

What is Swine Flu?

The virus (H1N1) is a combination of several different influenza strains including pig, bird and human virus.

As of April 25th, 2009 there have been an estimated 68 deaths in Mexico and approximately 1,000 cases, thus far. This is roughly a 7% case fatality rate, mainly in the healthy adult group. This is very unusual as influenza typically kills very young, very old and chronically ill persons.

Where is the outbreak?

As H1N1 (Swine Flu) circles the globe, both concern and the number of confirmed cases continues to grow.

Public Health agencies including the World Health Organization are taking this matter seriously and have raised the Pandemic Alert from a 3 to a 4 (on scale of 1-6). This upgrade was largely due to the fact that containment is unlikely and focus will likely shift to mitigation.

As the disease outbreaks are changing constantly, it is best to refer to reputable news sources for up to date information about the spread. Additionally, check out the FluTracker map.

Tips for avoiding Swine Flu

Swine Flu can be spread from person to person, so travelers are advised to:

Wash your hands with either soap and water or alcohol based hand sanitizer, often
Sanitary disposal of dirty tissues
Avoidance of those with cough, sneeze or flu-like symptoms.
Also, those who are sick with flu-like symptoms should stay home from work or school.

Prevention and Treatment Medicine:

Two medicines, both anti-virals, are getting a lot of new attention due to their ability to effectively combat H1N1 and likely lessen the severity and duration of illness.

Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is available in both a tablet and liquid form and has been approved for use against H1N1 virus by the CDC.

Relenza (zanamivir) is marketed in a spray form and is approved for use by the CDC against H1N1.

The following circumstances are advised to use the above medications by the CDC:

Household close contacts who are at high-risk for complications of influenza (e.g., persons with certain chronic medical conditions, persons 65 or older, children younger than 5 years old, and pregnant women) of a confirmed, probable or suspected case.
School children who are at high-risk for complications of influenza (children with certain chronic medical conditions) who had close contact (face-to-face) with a confirmed, probable, or suspected case.
Travelers to Mexico who are at high-risk for complications of influenza (e.g., persons with certain chronic medical conditions, persons 65 or older, children younger than 5 years old, and pregnant women).
Health care workers or public health workers who were not using appropriate personal protective equipment during close contact with an ill confirmed, probable, or suspect case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection during the case’s infectious period.

The following circumstances should consider use of anti-viral medication, which may be of help:

Any health care worker who is at high-risk for complications of influenza (e.g., persons with certain chronic medical conditions, persons 65 or older, children younger than 5 years old, and pregnant women) who is working in an area of the healthcare facility that contains patients with confirmed swine influenza A (H1N1) cases, or who is caring for patients with any acute febrile respiratory illness.
Non-high risk persons who are travelers to Mexico, first responders, or border workers who are working in areas with confirmed cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.

Use of N-95 respirator masks may also help prevent influenza spread, although they require special fitting to ensure adequate face-mask seal.

A 2007 CDC statement states that there is no clear evidence that using a surgical mask decreases influenza spread and there are no current recommendations to cover up.

Special consideration should be given to using these antiviral drugs as they should be obtained and used with a physicians script and care. Counterfeit copies of these medications are common and rarely contain actual medicine to combat influenza. This can lead to not only drug resistant strains but also leave the person with a false sense of protection. Antiviral medications should only be obtained from licensed and reputable pharmacies.

Supply of these medications is an obvious concern and the manufacturers are releasing stockpiles to help cope with increased need, as are public health agencies. Areas with known outbreaks and those people with confirmed cases are of highest priority.

More Information:

CDC Swine Flu:
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm

World Health Organization:
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_04_24/en/index.html

Follow updates from Centre for Disease Control on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/H1N1Info

Swine Flu & Travel Insurance

Graham Kingaby, WorldNomads.com Insurance Director talks generally about how Swine Flu might affect your travel insurance coverage (video).

WorldNomads customers,to read specific information about your cover please click here for Aust & NZ residents (PDF format, 36K. Updated 09 July 2009) or here for Rest of World residents (PDF format, 120K. Updated 09 July 2009)

If you also have an RSS feed reader, then subscribe to the Safety Hub Feed to receive notifications of any updates. You can also follow Travel Safety Hub on Twitter.

Travel Alert : Political Instability in Thailand

safetyhub — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:38:00 GMT

This is a very brief overview of the developing situation in Bangkok, Thailand. We are keeping an eye on the situation, so come back for regular updates

What's happening in Thailand:

From red24, Global Security Specialists

" A state of emergency was declared in Bangkok and surrounding areas on 12 April in an attempt to restore law and order after several days of anti-government protests in Bangkok and Pattaya, 100km south east of the capital.

Soldiers have been deployed at strategic sites around Bangkok, but an estimated 10,000 protesters are defying the state of emergency and camping at Government House in the city centre. At least 70 people were injured in clashes on 13 April between security forces and anti-government protesters near the Victory Monument to the north east of the city centre.

Anti-government protests have also been reported in other parts of the country, mainly in the north and north east, but these have remained peaceful thus far.

Travellers are advised to defer non-essential travel to Bangkok until the situation stabilises. Those already in the city or elsewhere in the country are advised to exercise extreme caution at this time, to monitor local media for the latest updates and to avoid all large gatherings due to the potential for violence."

From Reuters Alert Net (13 Apr 2009 19:16:23 GMT)

"Troops fired at crowds of anti-government protesters who fought back with petrol bombs and rocks in Bangkok on Monday, in violence that killed two people, injured dozens and pushed Thailand deeper into political crisis"

"Monday's clashes occurred two days after protesters forced the cancellation of a high-profile Asian summit in Thailand, a big embarrassment for Abhisit who took office only in December."

How does this affect travellers?

SmartTraveller.com.au reports that at present,

"If you are in Bangkok or surrounding provinces, you should avoid unnecessary travel around the city or province. If you are departing Bangkok by plane, you should allow extra time to reach the airport in case of traffic delays. Flights in and out of Bangkok have not been disrupted. Travellers should check with airlines and other travel providers on scheduled services. "

What is the official Govt Travel Advice?

This data can change frequently, so please check your local Government's website. Also, register with your foreign affairs department so they can more easily find you in the event of an emergency.

Australian Govt

UK Govt - Foreign & Commonwealth Office

US Dept of State

Canada - Foreign Affairs & International Trade

What should you do?

WorldNomads.com's Insurance Director, Graham Kingaby gives this advice to travellers in Bangkok or thinking of travelling there...

Avoid all political gatherings or demonstrations
Avoid areas in and around government buildings, particularly around Govt House and Parliament and Police HQ.
Don't hang around Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang Airports unless travelling
Keep an eye on the airline websites if you are travelling through Bangkok to find out about travel disruptions or redirections
Advise friends and family of your location via phone, email or on your travel blog, just in case the situation deteriorates

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The WorldNomads.com website will continue to monitor this situation in the SafetyHub blog.

Travel Alert: Earthquake Strikes Central Region of Italy, Abruzzo

safetyhub — Mon, 6 Apr 2009 06:12:00 GMT

This is a brief overview of the earthquake that today struck the central Italian region of Italy. We are keeping an eye on the situation, so come back for regular updates.

What's happening:

Reuters news service reports (06/04/09) - Rescuers searched through the night for survivors of an earthquake that killed more than 130* people in central Italy early on Monday and left thousands of homeless huddled in tent camps and rough shelters.

Rain complicated the task of firemen and emergency workers combing the rubble in the hope of plucking people alive from collapsed houses in the medieval mountain city of L'Aquila and nearby villages, some almost entirely destroyed.

The quake struck shortly after 3.30 a.m. (9:30 p.m. EDT) on Monday, catching residents in their sleep and flattening houses, ancient churches and other buildings in 26 cities and towns.

Aftershocks rattled the area, some 100 km east (60 miles) of Rome in the Abruzzo region, throughout the day.

Local authorities said more than 130 people were confirmed dead and more than 1,500 injured. The civil protection agency put the number of homeless at up to 50,000.

In other reports -

- SMH.com.au reports (as of 08/04/09) Current death toll stands at 235 with 50 unaccounted for.

- SMH.com.au reports Italian disaster management authorities had said there were no foreigners among those confirmed dead, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said this morning. But he warned the final toll was feared to be much higher.

- A civil protection official told the BBC that 3,000 to 10,000 buildings may have been damaged by the earthquake.

How does this affect travellers?

L'Aquila, the captial city of the Abruzzo region is a very popular tourist destination as well as being a large University city.

Laid out within medieval walls on a hill in the wide valley of the Aterno river, and surrounded by the Apennine Mountains, with the Gran Sasso d'Italia to the north-east.

Unbeknown to most international travellers is that Italy is a hot spot for Earthquakes. Caught between two fault lines at the juncture of tectonic plate movements between Europe and Africa, the country is prone to regular quakes. However, it is unusual for the country to experience an earthquake as deadly as today's as outlined in this Guardian article.

Common sense dictates that all unessential travel to this region of Italy should be avoided.

What is the official Govt Travel Advice?

This data can change frequently, so please check your local Government's website. Also, register with your foreign affairs department so they can more easily find you in the event of an emergency.

AUS - Smart Traveller Website

"On 6 April 2009, an earthquake measuring 6.3 magnitude, occurred near the city of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region. Many people were injured or killed and thousands have been made homeless. Australians in the area should follow the instructions of the Italian authorities and monitor the media for further developments. If you are travelling to the Abruzzo region, you should contact your tour operator to check whether services at your planned destination have been affected."

UK Govt - Foreign & Commonwealth Office -

"We have been advised that there are no reports of British casualties or deaths so far, but the Embassy is continuing to monitor the situation. The Italian government has asked people not to travel to L'aquila and we would advise British nationals to stay away from the area until further notice. If you have any concerns about British nationals in the region please ring 020 7008 1500."

US Dept of State -

" Americans traveling in Italy should contact family in the United States to let them know their current whereabouts. U.S. citizens traveling to or through Italy are encouraged to follow post-earthquake developments in the media. Americans in Italy are urged to register either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov or by phone or in person directly with the U.S. Embassy in Rome or the Consulates General in Milan, Florence, and Naples. Registering gives U.S. citizens access to updated information on travel and security within Italy and makes it easier for the Embassy to contact citizens in case of emergency."

Canada - Foreign Affairs & International Trade -

"Canadians should exercise caution, monitor local news reports, and follow the advice of local authorities coordinating the response. In case of emergency, contact the Embassy of Canada in Rome (see Section 5 below) or the Emergency Operations Center in Ottawa (call collect to 613-996-8885)"

What should you do after an earthquake? Advice from security experts Red24

After an earthquake, be prepared for aftershocks and plan where you will take cover when these occur.
Check for injuries and provide first aid to those who need
When returning home/to the hotel, exercise extreme caution. Check for gas, water and sewer breaks, downed electric lines and shorts, turn off appropriate utilities. Check for building damage and potential safety problems during aftershocks (cracks around chimneys and foundations. Because of the danger of gas leaks avoid the use of open flames such as matches and lighters
Clean up dangerous spills
Use caution when opening cabinets and cupboards as contents may have shifted and might fall on you as the door is opened
Wear shoes
Listen to the radio or TV for updated emergency information and instructions; local radio and local officials can provide the most appropriate advice for your situation
Do not use the telephone unless for an emergency
Use the car in very urgent situations only. In this way, streets and entrances are free for rescue and supply vehicles
If you are in a coastal area be aware of possible tidal waves (tsunami). If necessary, move to higher ground
Cooperate with police and other public safety officials
Do not go into damaged buildings until they have been cleared by the authorities
Gather your family together and make sure you have some shelter for the immediate future, even if it is simple protection from the rain and cold
If you evacuate, call your contact to let them know where you are going and when you expect to arrive
Stay in a group if possible
After an earthquake, animal behaviour can change quite drastically and usually docile pets may become aggressive or defensive

Welfare and whereabouts after an earthquake

Concerned relatives and friends may try to contact you after an earthquake to check on your well-being and call the relevant embassy if they are unable to reach you at your home/hotel or on your mobile. Most embassies collect the names of their citizens possibly involved in a disaster, working with local authorities and possibly contacting hotels, airports and hospitals as well. Once the phone lines are clear, you may want to contact your embassy or consulate to update them on your situation. Embassies may send representatives to hotels to collect information lists, so try to
compile a list with your name, first name, date of birth, health status and the name and telephone number of relatives in your home country to pass on to them. If you are staying in a hotel, or travelling with a group, you may want to put together a list with everyone's details to help facilitate this process.

Visiting an earthquake-prone area

Hotels in earthquake-prone areas should have an earthquake preparedness plan in place, providing pre-, during and
post-earthquake safety measures. Before travelling, check with your hotel whether they have such a plan in place, and ask them what it is.

If they do not have an emergency plan, and you want to be prepared, keep a few extra bottles of water and some extra food in your room.

Meningitis: A traveller's illness?

safetyhub — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:48:00 GMT

WorldNomads.com's roving medical expert Dr. Erik McLaughlin MD explains why meningitis is an illness that all travellers need to be aware of.

Why? Disease spread is typically associated with groups of people in close quarters, such as prisons, military barracks and ... hostels.

Meningitis takes its name from the delicate tissue layer surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meninges) and the inflammation that results from the infection(-itis). Meningitis is a contagious disease, meaning it can be spread from person to person, and is divided into two basic forms based on cause: Viral and Bacterial.

Symptoms of meningitis are similar in both forms of the illness and include headaches, stiff neck, fever and sensitivity to bright light (photophobia).

Viral Meningitis

Viral Meningitis can be caused by a large number of viruses with exotic sounding names like Echovirus and Coxsackievirus. Fortunately, this a serious health concern but rarely fatal in people with a competent immune system.

Typical symptoms last for 1-2 weeks and resolve without further problems. This infection is commonly spread through the inhalation or contact with respiratory droplets or secretions like saliva or mucous. The best way for travelers to avoid viral meningitis is a regular routine of proper hand washing.

Perhaps the biggest concern with viral meningitis is not being able to differentiate it from bacterial meningitis, which is a much more serious and life threatening disease. For this reason, all cases of suspected meningitis need prompt medical evaluation.

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial Meningitis is a serious and life-threatening emergency and needs immediate medical treatment.

The two most common forms of bacteria involved are Neisseria Meningitidis and Streptococcus Pneumoniae. Symptoms of bacterial and viral meningitis are similar and those with fevers, headaches and neck stiffness should consider meningitis as a cause.

Neisseria is famous for causing a rash with a special feature: the rash does not Blanche when pressed with a glass. Typical rashes lose their redness when pressed and return to a rash appearance when the pressure is removed. A drinking glass works well for this as you can apply pressure and still see through at how the rash is behaving. A rash that does not turn back to normal skin color when pressure is applied can be a warning sign of a Neisseria bacterial infection, especially when found with headaches, fevers and neck stiffness. This infection requires immediate antibiotics as death can occur rapidly, within 24-48 hours. Long term complications can include deafness and other neurological disability.

Diagnosis & treatment

Doctors differentiate bacterial and viral meningitis by testing a sample of spinal fluid, obtained during a lumbar puncture (yes, the long needle in the spine) or “spinal tap”. This is a safe procedure, carries few risks and is vital in proper diagnosis.

Treatment of bacterial meningitis requires intravenous antibiotics immediately, while the more benign viral type is largely supportive care consisting of fluids with pain and fever control. Special concerns exist for those who have come in close contact with a confirmed case of bacterial meningitis and those people may require oral antibiotics as prophylaxis (disease prevention).

Can you get vaccinated against it?

Both Neisseria and "Strep. Pneumo" are bacteria for which there are vaccines to prevent illness. Vaccines for S. Pneumo are typically given during childhood, in developed nations. The vaccine for Neisseria Meningitidis covers 4 of the 5 strains of the bacteria including types A, C, Y, and W-135. Each serotype has certain geographical preferences with Group A being most common in the "African Meningitis Belt" and Asia.

There is a group B type of Neisseria Meningitidis that is not covered by the vaccine. Unfortunately, this is one of the most common forms, especially in the Americas and Europe and full protection is not guaranteed by the vaccines at present.

Tips for staying healthy as a traveller

Clearly, those traveling to areas know for meningitis risk should do a review of the immunizations and discuss the need for a meningitis vaccine with their health care provider. Even with vaccines for bacterial meningitis already taken, precautions such as hand washing and not sharing food or drinks are sound advice as the bacterial forms typically spread via saliva and mucous.