TROPICAL DISEASES – VACCINES
For one thing, vaccines are not available for every disease; what is more, vaccination in itself can often pose a problem for the traveller, because it can weaken his general condition. And do not forget that for many serious tropical diseases prophylactics do not exist. What comfort will the most beautiful and tempting colour brochure depicting glorious beaches and colourful surroundings be if the unsuspecting tourist comes down with something serious? Moreover, the treatment of tropical diseases is not always a simple, easy or safe matter. Strong medication is required and this affects especially the liver, often inflicting great harm. I have been shocked many times when browsing through travel brochures, to see that they give no hint whether the travel agencies, tour operators and their guides have any idea at all of the dangers in the destinations advertised. One such brochure planned to take the travellers to an area in Sri Lanka, to the south of Colombo and Mount Lavinia, an area where the dreaded tropical disease elephantiasis has not yet been fully eradicated. In spite of this knowledge, the agents chose exactly that place for an overnight stay.
*44/28/1*
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