Keeping healthy in Delhi

Dengue fever and food poisoning are high up on the list of what some participants may contract while attending the Delhi Commonwealth Games in India next month.

But Team Cook Islands is doing all it can to make sure our athletes and officials as safe as possible.

Team medical official Dr Rangiau Fariu said it is important that local athletes have a complete medical check before departing the islands.

“This is very important so I know what medicines I need to prepare and take in my medical tool box for emergency use,” Dr Fariu says.

He says that he has also advised Team Cook Islands sports managers of the availability of vaccines for tetanus and hepatitis B for the athletes before departing.

Although not compulsory, Dr Fariu says it’s a good idea to be vaccinated before travelling to India where tetanus and hepatitis B can be easily contracted.

Dr Fariu is also waiting for the typhoid vaccine which helps protect athletes from getting food poisoning.

But Dr Fairu says that if athletes only eat the food provided by certified caterers at the games village and at the venues, there shouldn’t be any problems.

He also says that he has checked and it has been confirmed that the athletes’ village and various venues will have bottled water for athletes and officials.

“Just stick with the food in the games village and refrain from eating food from stalls on the street,” advises Dr Fariu.

Dr Fariu also urges athletes and officials to pack mosquito repellent as dengue fever is said to be widespread in India.

He also advises athletes to be vigilant about cleaning and covering wounds such as scratches that can be sustained on the playing field.

For your information:

Typhoid fever, also known as typhoid, is transmitted by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the faces of an infected person, which contain the bacterium, Salmonella typhi.

Transmission of hepatitis B virus results from exposure to infectious blood or body fluids.

Tetanus is also called ‘lockjaw’ and infection generally occurs through wound contamination and often involves a cut or deep puncture wound.

Prevention is better than cure, so if you are an athlete or official preparing for the games make sure you seek the advice of Dr Fariu.

This will be Dr Fariu’s first time as the Team Cook Island’s medic and he is both excited and nervous about the trip to India.