Surfers heading overseas in search of the perfect wave need to take extra precautions to avoid illness and cope with unexpected ‘wipeouts’. Popular surf destinations like Indonesia, Maldives, Mexico and Pacific islands offer choice, uncrowded breaks.

However, they are often found in more remote locations of these developing countries and poor levels of sanitation and hygiene combined with disease-carrying insects, could keep you out of the water – not just during your stay, but long after you return home.

In fact, they can be life threatening.
So here are some tips from Travelvax Australia to prepare for your offshore surfin’ safari.

Start planning at least four weeks – six is better – before you leave, but even a few last-minute jabs will give you basic protection: it’s better than doing nothing!

Before you go:

Get your shots - For typical short stays Travelvax Australia recommends a tetanus booster, plus Hepatitis A and B, and Typhoid vaccinations. Typically, there are high carriage rates of Hep A and Typhoid, the main food and water-borne diseases, among the local population and, unintentionally, they can be passed on to you through the food and water you consume. Hep B is a good idea for young adults and especially important if treatment was to be needed from a local medical facility. (If you need a shot or stitch get the doc to use the gear in your first-aid kit).
Rabies vaccination is not warranted for short stays, but avoid dogs, cats and monkeys. If you are planning to stay for months rather than weeks rabies vaccination will be recommended. Vaccinated or not, seek urgent medical help if scratched or bitten. Left untreated, Rabies is always fatal.

Get travel insurance - Not just for luggage or lost or damaged boards. You’ll be surfing in places you are not used to and as experienced as you might be, accidents can happen in and out of the water. If you get a serious injury or illness and need medical attention, it’s not likely to be available locally and that might mean medical evacuation, which can be very costly.

Pack a surfers’ first-aid kit. You’ll be surprised how often you use it. Get one that can deal with a range of problems and is equipped with waterproof coverings and bandages for the (inevitable) coral cuts, fin chops etc. Include first-aid cream and a broad-spectrum antibiotic, especially if you’ll be off the beaten track. If you get seasick, take some medication like dramamine or kwells for longer boat rides to breaks. Travelvax has kits for surfers.

While you’re there:

Contaminated food and beverages are often the biggest health risk in developing countries and, along with Typhoid and Hepatitis A, can transmit cholera and, most commonly, Travellers’ Diarrhoea (TD). At least half the people visiting a developing country will experience travellers’ diarrhoea (TD aka Bali Belly, Montezuma’s Revenge – every country has a different name for it!). Medication to treat TD should be part of your first-aid kit. Remember, rule number one: NEVER trust the local water without first treating it effectively. Even if the water is relatively safe for the locals, it may contain bacteria and organisms that could make you ill. Check out the dos and don’t of safe food and beverages on the Travelvax web site.

Mosquitoes can pack a punch. In the tropics they can carry diseases like Malaria, Dengue fever, Japanese Encephalitis and Chikungunya. If you’re lucky enough to be staying in an up market resort or on a surf yacht more than a kilometre offshore malaria will not be as much of a risk as if you stay in a beach hut or camp.

If there is a significant risk of malaria you’ll be advised to take preventative medication and this is something you need to get expert medical advice on. First up, call Travelvax’s travel health advice line (1300 360 164) or, even better, make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic. We’ll work out (a) if there is a risk and (b) if you need to take the pills and (c) if so, which anti-malaria medication is right for you.

There are no vaccines or pills for Dengue and Chikungunya, so it’s smart to avoid being bitten. Most mozzies feed at dusk and dawn. The malaria-carrying Anopheles mosquitoes are night feeders and are active from dusk till dawn. However Aedes mosquitoes, which transmit Dengue and Chikungunya, mainly bite during the day (but may also feed at night in brightly lit surroundings). They are urban dwellers and breed around huts, in gardens etc.

The Travelvax web site has lots of advice on protecting yourself against mosquitoes.

Finally…

• Don’t forget the sunscreen: the sun is a lot stronger in the tropics.
• If you get seasick, take some medication like dramamine or kwells for longer boat trips to remote breaks.
• Don’t surf near sewage outlets and creek entrances – that’s asking for trouble.
• Pack plenty of wax and condoms.

For more Indo info go to Travelvax.com.au or call its travel health line on 1300 360 164.