No one wants to become “patient zero” while traveling, but that’s what Dutch ornithologist Leo Schilperoord has been named after authorities identified him as the first case of the deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship. The birdwatcher and his wife toured a landfill in Argentina before boarding the ship, hoping to catch a glimpse of the white-throated caracara, and it’s believed that’s where they unknowingly inhaled virus-laced particles from the droppings of rats carrying the deadly Andes strain of the hantavirus.
The outbreak has raised concerns about how one traveler’s seemingly harmless activities can escalate into a public health threat. According to physician-scientist Dr. Steven Quay, some travel mistakes can carry hidden - and sometimes deadly - risks. “The dangerous travel exposure is usually not the obvious one,” he says. “Patient zero often begins with the sentence: ‘I didn’t think that mattered.’”
Here’s what he recommends avoiding while traveling so you don’t become “patient zero”:
- Visiting bat caves for a selfie - Quay says bats are “reservoirs for serious viruses and fungi” and the CDC warns to avoid caves, tunnels and mines with bats because of exposure risks for rabies, Ebola, and Marburg virus.
- Eating the “local delicacy” if it’s bushmeat - Steer clear of monkey, ape, bat, rodent or other wild-animal meat to avoid exposure to viruses and bacteria that cause Ebola, HIV, anthrax and monkeypox.
- Birdwatching, camping, or picnicking at landfills or dumps - Anywhere birds, rats, mice, feral animals and contaminated dust overlap is risky.
- Sweeping a cabin, shed, or rural lodge without protection - Sending microscopic virus particles from rodent droppings into the air where they can be easily inhaled is dangerous.
- Swimming in freshwater that looks pristine - Pools, floodwaters and slow-moving rivers can harbor bacteria from animals that can lead to a life-threatening illness.
- Getting water or ice at an airport - Refilling your water bottle in an airport bathroom or getting ice in a country where you wouldn’t drink the water is a big risk.
- Cuddling monkeys, stray dogs or cute wildlife for a photo - Animal bites and scratches can expose you to rabies, herpes B virus, bacterial infections and other illnesses.
- Eating raw shellfish or undercooked seafood somewhere with sketchy water quality - Shellfish filter the water they live in, so anything it’s contaminated with can end up in your body if you eat it.
- Wandering through live-animal markets - Visiting these places where live animals are kept, sold and butchered and then getting on crowded transit can be risky.
- Ignoring a fever after traveling - You think “it’s probably nothing,” but a fever and other symptoms like diarrhea, cough or rash could signal exposure and delaying medical care makes it more dangerous.⠀
Source: NY Post