Health Advisory for Traveling in Delhi this CWG 2010

Healthy Body Healthy Mind

Healthy body and healthy mind are the pre-requisites for a good journey

Whoever said, “Prevention is always better than cure” must have had a bad experience while traveling! India is going to host its biggest sporting event ever: the Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi from October 3-14 next month. Citizens from more than 85 countries will be visiting India during these  Games which will also attract tourists across the world. Delhi is still reeling under the dengue and swine flu outbreak. Here are some health precautions which participants and delegates must take while visiting India during the month of October for a better and more healthy experience.

  1. Wear appropriate clothing (long-sleeved shirts and long pants, for examples) especially when you are outdoors to avoid mosquitoes bite. Avoid wearing dark clothes.
  2. Avoid exposure to mosquitoes during the early morning and early evening hours between dusk and dawn (the hours of greatest mosquito activity).
  3. Carry mosquito repellents, creams, oil, coil and mats.
  4. Keep the windows and doors closed during the day time so that mosquitoes don’t enter.
  5. Spray natural insecticide that will keep malaria and other vectors away.
  6. According to WHO, the H1N1 influenza pandemic has moved into post-pandemic stage though localized outbreaks of various magnitude are likely to continue. Anyone who contracts pandemic flu during the Games will be given access, free of charge, to consultation, diagnosis and treatment in government-notified health facilities.
  7. Visitors should ascertain their vaccination status and carry the records.
  8. Avoid shaking hands and sharing hugs during greeting or meeting people.
  9. If during the travel, one feels symptoms such as fever, running nose, muscle pain, general discomfort, sore throat and difficulty in breathing or pain around the eyes (retro-orbital pain) he/she should contact the help desk on arrival at International Airport immediately for medical assistance.
  10. If symptoms aggravate, the visitors should report to nearest identified medical facility.
  11. One should not take aspirin before getting medical check up if these conditions prevail.
  12. Precautions like covering of mouth and nose while coughing; sneezing with a tissue should be taken. Throw the tissue in the trash after using it.
  13. If one is sick, don’t travel, except to get local medical care. Try to limit contact with other people, so your germs don’t spread.
  14. Washing hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. One can also use alcohol-based hand cleaners.
  15. Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
  16. After returning from Delhi, one should not neglect fever if it remains more than a week and should monitor their health for at least 12 days after returning their home countries.
  17. Don’t take food from unknown people while traveling in trains and buses as it may contain some banned substance and you risk losing your baggage.
  18. Don’t forget to carry some sunscreen lotion and necessary medicines while you are traveling. Wear Cap or hat to avoid sun stroke.

Practice safe food and water precautions during your stay in Delhi!! The city of Delhi offers some very delicious local cuisines even by the roadside. However, before eating at such a place, make sure that the surrounding are clean and hygienic. Eat only food that has been well cooked and is still hot when served. Don’t eat cut fruits and vegetables or drink fresh juice from roadside vendors. Drink and use ice from only purified water that has been boiled or disinfected with chlorine or iodine, or commercially bottled water in sealed containers. Avoid unpasteurized dairy products. Also, avoid swimming in polluted or contaminated water.

Aastha Kukreti

Aastha Kukreti holds a Master’s degree in Environment Management and her areas of expertise range from waste management, pollution ecology, green audits, ecofeminism, environmental equity and social justice.

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