Our dear friends from Minnesota have traveled to Tanzania for their first African adventure, staying in a tented camp in a remote area. They are experienced and savvy travelers, but this is their first foray into Africa. They are dealing with food or waterborne illness.
But even after spending months in Africa, knowing the risks, I still got sick from eating a salad in Morocco in March 2014 when I couldn’t find anything on the menu that I could eat in a restaurant in the Medina known as The Big Square in Marrakesh.
I should have known better after spending over six months in Africa and avoiding getting diarrhea until Morocco. No one is exempt, regardless of travel experience, even when exercising caution when eating certain foods in restaurants and even self-prepared.
Fortunately, I had a wide array of antibiotics with us. After many days of being sick, I finally relented and took a three-day course of Cipro, a dangerous antibiotic that I discussed with our primary care physician before we left the US in 2012. I am not recommending this or other drugs if you are stricken with any conditions while traveling. It is imperative to discuss this drug with your medical professional since it can have serious side effects for some patients.
Within hours of taking the drug, I could feel it was working. The first sign was when my mouth got dry. Within about eight hours, the horrible diarrhea stopped, but I continued the drug as prescribed.
Even today, Americans are sickened from food they’ve purchased at a grocery store or dining out. In the past few days, a news story about a pregnant woman and many others getting seriously ill and some dying from listeria from eating Boars Head deli meat. Here’s the article from USA Today.
That doesn’t mean Boards Head meats can’t be eaten, but it certainly causes one to reconsider these products for now. Often, we are about illness from bagged produce, from lettuce to apples. Nothing is 100% safe. However, traveling in many countries may be even more dangerous than most foods in the US.
The risk of getting sick from food and water can be significant when traveling, especially to unfamiliar regions. These risks arise from various factors, including different food preparation practices, local water quality, unfamiliar pathogens, and poor sanitation. Understanding these risks and taking appropriate precautions can help mitigate potential health issues.
Foodborne Illnesses
Foodborne illnesses are one of the most common risks travelers face. These illnesses are typically caused by consuming contaminated food that harbors bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Common culprits include Salmonella, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and norovirus.
1. Uncooked or Undercooked Foods: Eating raw or undercooked food is one of the primary ways to contract foodborne illnesses while traveling. In many parts of the world, the safety standards for handling and preparing food may not be as stringent as in your home country. Raw seafood, undercooked meat, and unpasteurized dairy products are particularly risky. For instance, eating sushi in regions where the fish may not be fresh or consuming raw milk can lead to severe gastrointestinal issues.
2. Street Food: While often delicious and culturally significant, street food poses a higher risk for foodborne illnesses. Street vendors might not always follow hygiene practices, such as hand washing, keeping food at the proper temperatures, or protecting it from flies and other contaminants. However, it’s not necessary to avoid street food entirely. Opt for stalls with high turnover, which indicates that the food is fresh and hasn’t been sitting out for long. Watching how the food is prepared can also give you clues about its safety.
3. Cross-Contamination: Cross-contamination can occur when raw and cooked foods are mishandled. For example, using the same cutting board for raw meat and vegetables without washing them in between can spread harmful bacteria. Contaminated utensils, plates, or hands can transfer pathogens to otherwise safe foods.
4. Poorly Washed Produce: Fruits and vegetables can also be a source of illness, especially if they are not washed properly or are washed with contaminated water. Leafy greens, berries, and other fresh produce can harbor bacteria, pesticides, or other harmful substances. If you’re in doubt about the cleanliness of the produce, it’s safer to eat fruits you can peel yourself, like bananas or oranges.
Tomorrow, we’ll continue with water-borne illnesses in Part 2.
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, August 9, 2014:
