General issues
Health Prevention
Medication and drugs
The tourism industry is responsible for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly 50% of these emissions are due to transportation. For some trips, such as a 2-week vacation to Mexico from Europe, transportation accounts for 88% of the total carbon footprint of the trip. On-site purchases (souvenirs), food and beverages are also responsible for nearly 25% of these emissions.
Transportation
One of the most effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to travel within your region to avoid having to take a plane, and instead take the train, bike or walk. For airplanes and cars, the footprint depends on the number of passengers, the size of the vehicle and the distance traveled. In general, the car is preferable to the plane for distances of less than 1000 km, as well as for longer trips if there are at least 2 passengers. If you take the plane, direct flights are to be preferred for flights longer than 6 hours. Several carbon footprint calculators for transportation exist and can help you choose the best option. If flying or driving cannot be avoided, carbon emissions can be offset by investing financially in carbon capture initiatives. Choose certified labels that guarantee quality carbon offsets.
Food and drink
Choose locally owned restaurants to eat locally produced food and contribute to the circular economy. Limit the purchase of imported products. Choose vegetarian food to limit CO2 emissions from livestock. This choice is also essential to ensure that local populations have access to enough agricultural land, and therefore food, as livestock requires more land than cereals to produce an equivalent amount of food. Livestock production also requires a lot of fresh water3.
In many countries, running water is not potable. To limit the waste produced by buying plastic bottles, you can opt for other methods of water purification:
Accommodation
Avoid mass tourism, i.e. destinations with a large volume of tourists in large hotels. Choose accommodations that respect nature and local populations and that have an ecotourism or sustainable tourism label. In order to save water and electricity, limit the change of towels and sheets to what is strictly necessary and limit the use of air conditioning (e.g. by turning it off every time you leave the room). You can also favor locally owned accommodations to contribute to the regional economy.
Souvenir shopping and activities
When purchasing souvenirs, favor locally made products. Be careful not to buy products made from endangered plants or animals. In water-stressed areas, avoid activities involving swimming pools or golf courses. To protect the seabed, use mineral sunscreens and be careful not to damage coral with your fins when diving or snorkeling. When walking or hiking, follow the marked trails and do not feed wild animals.
Vaccinations ensure that you are well protected against many infectious diseases. You can be vaccinated by your family doctor, a tropical doctor or at a vaccination center. Only the yellow fever vaccination is only carried out in vaccination centers and by certain vaccinators.
The indications for vaccinations when travelling abroad depend on:
Vaccinate up to time
Certain vaccinations require several doses to provide sufficient protection. It is best to schedule them 6 to 8 weeks before departure.
But even if you decide to travel at the last minute, you should consult a doctor beforehand. A booster vaccination provides sufficient protection very quickly and there are accelerated vaccination schedules. You can have several vaccinations at the same time.
In addition to your vaccination card, you should also bring a list of the medication you regularly take.
Inform your doctor if you have the following problems:
If you have any of the above problems, certain vaccinations may be contraindicated or used with caution.
Vaccinations should be postponed if you have a fever.
For further information:
Questions / Answers
Insect_and_Tick_Bite_Protection_Factsheet_Public_ECTM_EN.pdf
An important part of healthy travel is protection against biting insects and ticks. Mosquitoes, in particular, often transmit diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever and Zika, ticks can transmit borreliosis (Lyme disease), tick-borne encephalitis or tick-bite fevers. Sandflies transmit leishmaniasis and tsetse flies can transmit African sleeping sickness. For some of these diseases, a vaccine or chemoprophylaxis is available but for many diseases, the only protection available is bite avoidance. In many tropical areas, mosquito-borne diseases are often widespread and because different types of mosquitoes are active at different times of the day (Aedes/Stegomyia) and/or night (Anopheles), travellers are recommended to use 24/7 mosquito bite prevention. The key areas of bite prevention are:
The majority of travellers do apply far less than the recommended protective dose of repellent, which will decrease the effectiveness. Repellents need to be applied regularly especially after swimming or in hot, humid conditions conducive to sweating. When using repellents during the day, the sunscreen should be applied 15 minutes prior to the repellent. It is recommended to use 30-50 SPF sun screen to compensate for the reduction in sun protection factor (SPF) caused by DEET.
Repellents (DEET, Icaridin, some essential oil such as citriodora) vary in their effectiveness against different vectors and tend to be slightly less effective against ticks where protection can be substantially increased by impregnating clothing and having socks above trousers to prevent ticks from getting access to bare skin.
The value of repellents in protecting from tsetse flies and sandflies is less well documented, but the combination of repellents and insecticide treated clothing is still highly recommended.
| Anti Brumm Classic (20% Icaridin) | Anti Brumm Night (20% Icaridin) |
| Anti Brumm Forte (28% DEET) | Anti-Brumm Ultra Tropical (50% DEET) |
| Anti Brumm Kids (20% Icaridin) | Nobite Extreme (30% DEET & 20% Icaridin) |
| Anti Brumm Naturel (31% Citriodiol) | KIK Activ (20% DEET) |
| SENSOLAR ZeroBite (20% Icaridin) |
The size and composition of your first-aid kit depends on a number of factors: destination, duration of the trip, travelling style and the size of your travel group. Once you have packed your first-aid kit correctly, it is important to store it properly: childproof, protected from breakage and in a cool place. Before using any medication, please read the package leaflet carefully to rule out possible intolerances or contraindications. Observe the expiry dates stated on the medication packs. Special care should be taken when taking medication during pregnancy. Your doctor will recommend and prescribe the medication that is most suitable for you. Please note: certain medications (painkillers, codeine and morphine derivatives, narcotics, sleeping pills, steroids, etc.) may be banned in certain countries or require a medical certificate.
Existing illnesses: take a sufficient supply of medication required regularly or occasionally at home in separate luggage (hand luggage).
Malaria prophylaxis
Allergic reactions (e.g. insect bites): Always carry the emergency medication prescribed by your doctor!
Disinfect hands: hydro alcoholic solution (at least 70% ethanol)
Injury
Instruments
Fever, cold, pain: paracetamol (Dafalgan®, Panadol®)
Stomach and intestines
Nausea, vomiting, travel sickness: e.g.Motilium®, Trawell®
Skin protection
Eye protection
Cold: nasal drops, spray before the flight (Nasivine ®, Triofan ®)
Allergies: personal medication (antihistamines, asthma medication, etc.)
AIDS/sexually transmitted diseases: Condoms or Femidom®
Water disinfection: sterilization tablets (e.g. Aquatabs®, Micropur forte®)
Insect_and_Tick_Bite_Protection_Factsheet_Public_ECTM_EN.pdf
Sauerstoffmangel im Flugzeug ist heutzutage kein Thema mehr. Auch auf 12 000 m ü.M. entspricht das Sauerstoffangebot im Flugzeug etwa der Höhe von 2000 m ü.M. Die Luftdruckveränderung im Flugzeug ist kaum wahrzunehmen. Es sei denn, Sie sind erkältet, dann kann sich durch das Anschwellen der Schleimhäute die Verbindung von Rachen und Mittelohr verschliessen.
Der zunehmende Aussendruck beim Landen würde Sie dann im Ohr schmerzen. Am besten Sie sorgen vor: mit Nasentropfen, -sprays oder -salben; auch Kauen und Gähnen hilft, den Druck zu lindern. Die trockene Kabinenluft bewirkt zudem ein Austrocknen der Nasenschleimhäute, dagegen hilft eine Nasensalbe.
Thrombosen: Mit ein paar einfachen Vorkehrungen verhindern Sie Durchblutungsstörungen Ihrer Beine durch das lange Sitzen. Schränken Sie Ihre Beinfreiheit nicht durch Gepäckstücke ein, lockern Sie Ihre Muskeln durch ein paar Übungen im Sitzen oder stehen Sie auf und gehen ein paar Schritte. Trinken Sie reichlich (alkoholische Getränke mit Mass!) und Sie werden vor allem lange Interkontinentalflüge besser überstehen. Gut angepasste Kompressionsstrümpfe helfen Ihnen bei Venenleiden.
Der «Jet lag» trifft Sie nach dem Überfliegen mehrerer Zeitzonen mit Erschöpfung und Schlaflosigkeit, denn Ihre innere Uhr stimmt nicht mehr mit der Ortszeit überein. Kleine Nickerchen im Flugzeug, nach der Ankunft, so schnell wie möglich den neuen Lebensrhythmus übernehmen (inkl. Licht- und Sonnenexposition tagsüber) und Sie haben das Übel am schnellsten überwunden. Medikamente können Ihnen dabei helfen, erkundigen Sie sich bei Ihrem Arzt.
Alle Medikamente für die Reise führen Sie am besten im Handgepäck mit. Ist deren Einnahme zeitlich streng vorgeschrieben (z.B.Insulin, Antibabypillen), besprechen Sie vor Ihrer Abreise mit dem Arzt, wie die Anwendung bei grossen zeitlichen Verschiebungen erfolgen soll.
Sind Sie krank oder behindert, ist das Flugzeug Ihr Transportmittel: Sie erhalten Unterstützung, einen Rollstuhl oder die Möglichkeit zu liegen, wenn Sie die Fluglinie rechtzeitig informieren. Liegendtransporte werden stets begleitet. In Notfällen ist mit dem Flugzeug meistens eine rasche Rückkehr nach Hause möglich (s.u." Vorbereitungen und Versicherungen: Medizinische Notfälle im Ausland" ).
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