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Ask The Travel Doctor-TMVC

Q: My 16 yr old daughter is travelling to Kiribati for 2 weeks in Sept with Venturer Scouts. What health precautions and immunisations will she need to take?

Michael.

 

A:  It is great that Venture Scouts do some interesting and exciting travel, but there are some health risks, even in the Pacific. Water quality is poor, and food selection needs to be done with care, as cigatera poisoning can occur after eating large pellagic fish. Hepatitis A and typhoid occur. Hepatitis B is also common. Mosquitoes transmit dengue fever virus so must be protected against.

Sunburn is common. Local medical services are poor, so insurance is essential. So you see that some preparation is required.

Travel Doctor clinic specialse in getting the requirements just right, and for groups this is often really important, as it stops all the participants getting confused by the varying advice they got from a range on non-experts! Group bookings can be accomodated.

Dr Sonny

 

Disclaimer: Information provided in this health column is of a general nature & should not replace specific advice from your own personal Travel doctor-TMVC consultation.
Not all questions submitted to the website will be answered & Users of this website should always seek the advice of a qualified health professional with any questions they have regarding their health or a medical condition.