Advice for Volunteers and those going on Expeditions

This advice identifies a few key points you should consider in advance of your trip - it is not comprehensive. You are likely to be exposed to more infections than holidaymakers. Study in advance any necessary measures to prevent infection from contaminated food and water, insects and animal bites and close contact with locals.

Contamination of Food and Water

This is a major cause of illness in areas with poor sanitation. Unless you can be sure of the purity of the local supply of water, stick to boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Alternatively, water can be sterilised with iodine drops or tablets or by using a quality filter. Dishes and cutlery should also be washed with sterilised water.

Ensure milk is pasteurised and be cautious about cheese, cream and ice cream. Peel all fruit, eat only cooked vegetables and avoid salads. Ensure seafood, fish and meat are thoroughly cooked and eaten hot. Avoid leftovers. Wash your hands before eating or handling food and always after using the toilet.

First Aid Equipment

This is especially important if you are going to be 'off the beaten track'. Consider what you might do in an emergency, particularly those going to areas remote from or with only basic medical facilities.

Culture Shock

This can be very real even in the short term. Family or social problems at home and psychological problems, including alcoholism or drug dependency make adapting difficult. Time differences between continents may cause communication difficulties with friends or relatives at home. If you anticipate problems of this kind seek counselling before your plans are finalized. A situation that is exciting and welcome to one person can be daunting to another.

Problems include adjusting to a different climate, religious and cultural differences, separation from family, changes in living standards, unfamiliar social amenities and language differences, coming to terms with poverty and begging and compulsory movement restrictions for safety or political reasons. The extent of difficulties will vary between individuals, but being open to new and different cultures and being patient, rather than critical, will help you adapt to new and challenging adventures.

Vaccinations

  • Take special care over arranging your vaccinations. Usually voluntary workers have plenty of time to prepare but emergency teams should be prepared in advance to avoid having to make last minute arrangements.
  • Vaccinations take time. Consult your doctor or nurse as soon as possible ideally 8 weeks before departure. Late bookings can leave insufficient time for vaccinations to become fully effective.
  • Tetanus and diphtheria vaccination is important. For countries where these diseases are still common you should to receive boosters every 10 years and everyone should have completed their normal British childhood schedule.
  • There is an increasing risk of tuberculosis for those visiting many of the high-risk areas and mixing with the local population. Remember protection from BCG vaccination is only achieved after about 4-6 weeks. Boosters are not normally required.
  • Meningococcal type ACWY vaccine is advised for those visiting risk areas in sub-Saharan Africa who will be mixing closely with the local population, as might be the case in your situation.
  • Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are important for those who are not able to be careful about their food and water hygiene in risk areas, as is often the case with the more adventurous traveller.
  • Japanese B encephalitis is spread by mosquitoes and is sometimes advised for those spending longer periods in risk, especially rural areas, as is often the case with the more adventurous traveller.
  • Influenza vaccine can be considered for those who might get a more severe illness such as those with existing chest problems. Remember the 'flu' season in the Southern Hemisphere is from April to November.
  • Rabies vaccination can be important if you are going to be more than a day or two from good medical facilities that may well be the case in your situation.
  • Yellow fever is a mosquito borne disease and occurs most commonly in jungle areas. It is therefore more likely in travellers going to remote areas. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is necessary for crossing borders in many parts of Africa and South America.

Malaria Prevention

When you cannot be sure that your accommodation will ensure good mosquito protection, you must consider taking a good mosquito net. Sensible clothing to protect the skin from bites and careful use of mosquito repellents is also important. If your advisor recommends anti-malaria tablets make sure you take then correctly. You are much more likely to be exposed to malaria than those on package tours or those travelling for business reasons.

Bite avoidance measures as mentioned above will also reduce the risks from other insect borne infections such as yellow fever, dengue fever and leishmaniasis.