BEWARE - Enteric Fever (Group C2 S. Salmonella - Newport strain) when in Jamaica
Aug 29th, 2002, 03:22 PM
#21
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The only time I went to Jamacia, my three year old daughter got sick with a fever, but the antibotics healed her after several days. I guess that's why I'm not surprised. That was my first and last trip to Jamacia. I'm very sorry about your relative!
Aug 29th, 2002, 07:04 PM
#22
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Did you not say in your original post that a young child was also sick? If <BR>that is correct then the source of the bacteria was probably other than the resort you mentioned since it's adults only. I assume then that the common denominator would then be someplace like the airport? In which case , one would expect the problem to be more wide spread.
Aug 30th, 2002, 03:58 AM
#23
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Rob, it was not in her original post, however someone did reply that their young daughter had recently come back from Jamaica with same illness. That is why it frustrated me so much that people were bashing 'traveler' because someone else clearly stated that they had stayed somewhere else (Beaches) and had come down with the same illness. Sometimes I don't think people even read these posts, just see a comment about Sandals and completely bash the original post. <BR>Traveler, I am very sorry that a second relative has now become ill, I remember you stating it was their honeymoon, I really am very sorry. <BR>
Aug 30th, 2002, 09:06 AM
#25
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sorry to hear of traveler's woes but one must be careful where ever in the world one goes. IMO those who choose to eat from open-air buffets anywhere where it is hot and the food is left out (includuing your own back yard) since there are so many salads and foods prepared with egg and mayo combos or salad dressings, fish, etc etc. The the practice of reheating partially cooked food at buffets and calling it a barbque is common. IMO You take more risks with the buffets. There are many airborne and insect borne diseases as well as those transmitted by food and water. Seems to me that if it were the food at one particular resort there would be others reporting the same infection although I won't question the posters experience.
Aug 31st, 2002, 12:09 PM
#28
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Thanks traveller, I don't think anyone would slam you for the heads up. Thank you ..I'm Going to Negril Jamaica first weekend in october to celebrate our 10th anniversary and will pay special attention to food prep. We hope our choice is the right one "Couples Negril" as it will be our first trip to Jamaica. Maybe we will drink more and eat less so as to be safe ha ha ha.....thanks again.
Aug 31st, 2002, 04:21 PM
#29
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Unfortunately, we're all prone to getting sick at some time or another while travelling. Food and water are often culprits, as are mosquitos (both daytime and evening biters).<BR><BR>It's a good idea wherever you go to invest a few $$ in some basic immunizations, like for Heps A & B (now lifetime vaccines).<BR><BR>Be wary & informed about the food you eat. Never eat salad greens unless you are sure that they have gone through cleaning with bleach (yes: bleach) - that goes for the limp piece that will get slipped into a sandwhich or burger as well. Eat only raw vegetables and fruit if they have been peeled (again be wary of the water these may have been washed in).<BR><BR>Make sure that the bottle of water you bought is properly sealed. In a restaurant, ask them to bring the unoppened bottle so that you open the seal yourself. If a waiter gets pissed at you - no problem... better that than getting sick.<BR><BR>Wear insect repellant. Daytime mosquitos, indoors as well as outdoors, can transmit some nasty fevers (like dengue). Although not a big problem in the Caribbean, dusk & evening mosquitos can carry malaria.<BR><BR>With world travel, many tropical, bacterial, viral and parasitical diseases are getting carried into areas previously untouched by these bugs.<BR><BR>If you get sick after coming home from a trip, even several weeks later, ALWAYS tell your doctor that you have been on a trip and tell them where you have been. Any of these are usual indications that you've brought back something: high fever, persistent low grade fever, rash, bloody diarrhea, sweats, or tremors.<BR><BR>"Travel safe" doesn't only apply to keeping your money and passports safe...
Aug 31st, 2002, 08:44 PM
#30
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I suppose it is easy to say watch what you eat etc. etc. etc. But what about if you did watch what you ate and did not even touch the fruit or veggies including lettuce. Then you discover when you return home that your husband has become deathly ill. I guess I am a little upset because we also travelled to Jamaica recently at a cost of 7.000 Dollars to an all inclusive resort. We thought that we were paying for the security etc. I just think that you can never be to careful. I would avoid Jamaica at all costs. Unless of course you want to risk going through what we did and have. It is very scary when you learn that you paid 7.000 dollars so you could experience the anguish that you could loose your husband. 
Sep 1st, 2002, 06:49 AM
#31
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After reading this post, i can't understand why anyone would even consider going to Jamaica. This has been on the board here for a few days, and yet people are still inquiring about travel there. There has to be safer islands to visit where you don't have to worry about what you eat or drink. For those of you who are going to Jamaica in the near future, aren't you worried about some of these health issues.
Sep 1st, 2002, 07:18 AM
#32
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Several years ago we traveled to DR and my husband also became deathly ill on the way home. He was sick for days. I have to agree with poster why even bother with the places where there is a higher percentage of incidences. It makes no sense to me. No matter how careful one is with all of the common sense issues, (water drinking etc.) people still get sick. It is impossible to "watch" everything you eat, or know if a salad item has been "bleached" and prepared safely. I think most people take there chances based on "It won't happen to me." Hopefully it will not. It is the chance you take.
Sep 1st, 2002, 07:47 AM
#33
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we all take risks everyday walking out the front door and since most accidents happen in the home risk is a part of life. <BR>a few isolated experiences should only raise ones awareness since there are so many things that can be the cause of illness including swimming in pools or contanimated sea water, eating spoiled food, poor food handling, etc etc <BR>several years back wasn't there an outbreak of polio or malaria in the DR? Did deter some people but not many and there were no reported problems with travelers.<BR>with the thousands of travelers every day going all over you try to minimize the risks and seems the overwhelming majority don't encounter any problems whether it be crime or disease. <BR>who knows the source of the contanimation. could be something as simple as an dairy-based ingredient in a drink. so you be as careful as posible and as smart and possible. living life in your own little bubble wouldn't be pleasant I guess and boring. <BR>hope for a speedy recovery and good thoughts for traveller and family and maybe they will find the cause and fix it.
Sep 1st, 2002, 09:22 AM
#34
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Thank you for all your good wishes and concerns but I do want to quote what our doctor said to us about this Slamonella. "It is called the shit and mouth disease" So basically what he meant is that in order for my husband to get this type of Salmonella (Thypoid) There had to be a huge amount of shit that he ingested. So it makes you wonder if this was done on purpose?? Or how he could have possibly had such a huge amount in his food??? It is the most disgusting thing that we have ever experienced. There is no way that you can be this careful unless you decide thaat for the entire 10 day vacation that you will not eat. So in other words you place yourself in the hands of this resort that costs you an arm and a leg and cross your fingers that you both make it through.<BR>Not my idea of a fun vacation let alone honeymoon.<BR><BR>
Sep 1st, 2002, 11:42 AM
#35
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I have never worried about food or water in my trips to the Caymans, Aruba, Bahamas, St. Barts or Anguilla. Don't understand why anyone would place themselves in danger travelling to an island like Jamaica. First there was the safety issue and now there's a health issue. Wake up people, there are nicer, and safer islands out there.
Sep 1st, 2002, 04:16 PM
#36
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Exactly the point, even a girl reporter had dissapeared over there and no one has ever been able to find her.(Jamaica.) Many of those islands, dispise Americans going there and resent them very much. Makes you wonder if these things are not done on purpose at some resorts. I think St.Croix has been nicknamed St. Crime. I would stick with Aruba, or some other islands mentioned. Ones that have a better reputation. Why should Americans spend there hard earned money to go to a place where they don't like us in the first place?
Sep 2nd, 2002, 01:15 PM
#39
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I, too, got curious and did some searching on the web about this disease. If you go to :http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section13/chapter157/157d.htm<BR><BR>you'll find that you can also get this particular strain from eggs and other products from infected animals -- not just from other people. What made the biggest impression on me is that you can get it from contaminated marijuana! Now that might be a big problem in Jamaica.<BR>The disease also has been reported in the U.S., so it's not just a Jamaica problem. Although I would imagine the risk in higher there and in other tropical, developing countries.<BR>The info is under nontyphoidal illness, about one-third of the web page down.
