Food and Water Safety Health Information

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Learn About Food and Water Safety:


When travelling you need to be aware of the risks from food and water. Contaminated food and drink are common sources for the introduction of infection into the body. Among the more common infections that travelers can acquire from contaminated food and drink are Escherichia coli infections, shigellosis or bacillary dysentery, giardiasis, cryptosporidiosis, noroviruses, and hepatitis A. Other less common infectious disease risks for travelers include typhoid fever and other salmonelloses, cholera, rotavirus infections, and a variety of protozoan and helminthic parasites.

Food Health Guide for Travels:
  • Select food with care to avoid illness.
  • All raw food is subject to contamination.
  • Avoid salads, uncooked vegetables, and unpasteurized milk and milk products such as cheese.
  • Eat only food that has been cooked and is still hot.
  • Eat fruit that has been washed in clean water and then peeled by the traveler personally.
  • Undercooked and raw meat, fish, and shellfish can carry various intestinal pathogens.
  • Cooked food that has been allowed to stand for several hours at ambient temperature can provide a fertile medium for bacterial growth and should be thoroughly reheated before serving.
  • Consumption of food and beverages obtained from street vendors has been associated with an increased risk of illness.
Water Health Guide for Travels:
  • A variety of infections (skin, ear, eye, respiratory, neurologic, and diarrheal infections) have been linked to wading or swimming in the ocean, freshwater lakes and rivers, and swimming pools, particularly if the swimmer's head is submerged. Water may be contaminated by other people and from sewage, animal wastes, and wastewater run-off. Travelers who swim should be advised to avoid beaches that may be contaminated with human sewage or dog feces.
  • Accidentally swallowing small amounts of fecally contaminated water can cause illness. Travelers should be warned to try to avoid swallowing water while engaging in aquatic activities.
  • For infectious disease prevention, pools that contain chlorinated water can be considered safe places to swim if the disinfectant levels and pH are properly maintained.
  • For Drinking: Water that has been adequately chlorinated according to the minimum recommended water treatment standards used in the United States will afford substantial protection against viral and bacterial waterborne diseases. Travelers should be advised that only the following may be safe to drink: Beverages, such as tea and coffee, made with boiled water. Canned or bottled beverages, including water, carbonated mineral water, and soft drinks. Beer and wine.

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