Traveller's should prepare for any potential illness abroad

It has been advised by senior medical staff that travellers who visit developing countries should take the time to research disease outbreaks in their destination in order to fully prepare and take appropriate travel medicine.

Staff at the Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad have said that people intending to live or work with local populations in developing countries for three months or more should have a TB vaccine.

As the BCG vaccine for TB can take around eight weeks to be effective, ideally medical advice should be sought at least six to eight weeks prior to travel and travellers should have no other vaccines in the same arm for the following three months.

It was also advised that people take a first aid pack with them containing essentials such as painkillers, antiseptic sprays, plasters, insect repellent and travel sickness medication.