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Travel Health

Travelling to different climates and environments abroad can expose you to disease and health risks. You should be aware of the dangers and how to stay healthy.Diseases which aren’t present in the UK such as yellow fever, malaria, rabies and dengue fever are common in some areas of the world.

Long-distance journeys

  • don’t wear tight clothing on long-distance journeys
  • do regular stretching exercises such as flexing and extending your ankles to avoid circulation problems
  • walk round at regular intervals on long flights
  • drink plenty of water on flights and avoid drinking too much alcohol.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition

  • carry a doctor’s letter and a copy of any prescriptions
  • ensure your medication is legal in the country you are visiting – the British Embassy can advise you
  • learn key words and phrases in the local language for your condition, medication and emergency help

Kit supplied and items to be taken

Tour kit package

Playing kit                                               Training kit                                   Leisure kit                     Playing shirts x 2                            Performance T shirt x 2                             Hoodie                     Playing shorts x 2                                       Shorts                                          Polo x 3                       Socks x 2                                                  Socks x 2                                         T-Shirt                       Skinz Long sleeved top x 2               Tracksuit top- showerproof                                                        Skinz  shorts                            Tracksuit pants - showerproof                        Formal wear                                                    Tracksuit pants -non showerproof                      V neck jumper          Luggage                                                                                                           Tie                       Back pack                                                                                         Formal shirt -short sleeved x 2      Match day bag                                                                                        Chino - trousers               Travel bag

Your own items to bring - DON'T FORGET THESE

Sussex training top                       Mouth guard (spare  plus boil & bite)             Black sock                 Head guard (if applicable)                    Pads ( if applicable)                             Ordinary sock              Good Rugby boots                         spare studs , laces, key ,moulded studs             Underwear                Rugby trainers ( not fashion  ones)                 Black shoes                                     Toiletries               Sun glasses (if required)                               Cheap watch                                  Leisure shorts      Swimming shorts                                 Cap / sun hat (if required)                          Camera             Jeans                                               Money  ( £ and SA rand )                     Sun screen (high factor)   Roll of sealable sandwich bags ( large)        Medication                                       Flip flops                Personal first aid kit ( plasters, travel pills ( if required) ,headache tablets    Insect spray ( 50%DEET)  Towel ( beach and after games ( recommended Soft Fibre Trek Towels)

We strongly recommend you do not bring items of value on tour - They are not covered by the tour insurance.                                                                                                                                      Don't bring more clothes than you need you'll only be carrying them around SA , there are laundry facilities at all the resorts/ hotels ( at your cost)

 

General informationMedical details
            Map of Malaria risk areas

South Africa (Africa)

Advice for All Destinations

The risks to health whilst travelling will vary between individuals and many issues need to be taken into account, e.g. activities abroad, length of stay and general health of the traveller. It is recommended that you consult with your General Practitioner or Practice Nurse who will assess your particular health risks before recommending vaccines and /or antimalarial tablets. This is also a good opportunity to discuss important travel health issues including safe food and water, accidents, sun exposure and insect bites. Many of the problems experienced by travellers cannot be prevented by vaccinations and other preventive measures need to be taken.

Ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including repatriation. The 'T7' leaflet (from Post Offices) gives details of health care agreements between countries and is accompanied by an application form for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The completed form must submitted about 6 weeks before you plan to leave to allow the card to reach you on time. The EHIC entitles travellers to reduced-cost, sometimes free, medical treatment in most European countries.

For Travel Safety Advice you should visit the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.

Immunisations

  • Confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain - including vaccines given to special groups because of risk exposure or complications (e.g. hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly).
  • Courses or boosters usually advised: diphtheria; tetanus; poliomyelitis; hepatitis A.
  • Vaccines sometimes advised: tuberculosis; hepatitis B; rabies; cholera; typhoid.
  • A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age coming from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Notes on the diseases mentioned above

  • Tetanus is contracted through dirty cuts and scratches and poliomyelitis spread through contaminated food and water. They are serious infections of the nervous system.
  • Typhoid and hepatitis A are spread through contaminated food and water. Typhoid causes septicaemia and hepatitis A causes liver inflammation and jaundice. In risk areas you should be immunised if good hygiene is impossible.
  • Cholera is spread through contaminated water and food. More common during floods and rainy seasons. Those unable to take effective precautions, for example, during wars and when working in refugee camps or slums may consider vaccination.
  • Tuberculosis is most commonly transmitted via droplet infection. BCG vaccination is recommended for travellers under 16 years of age who will be living or working with local people for a prolonged period of time (three months or more). Following individual risk assessment, vaccination may also be considered for travellers under the age of 35 years who may be at high risk through their occupation abroad eg healthcare workers.
  • Diphtheria is also spread by droplet infection through close personal contact. Vaccination is advised if close contact with locals in risk areas is likely.
  • Hepatitis B is spread through infected blood, contaminated needles and sexual intercourse, It affects the liver, causes jaundice and occasionally liver failure. Vaccination is recommended for those at occupational risk (e.g. health care workers), for long stays or frequent travel to medium and high risk areas, for those more likely to be exposed such as children (from cuts and scratches) and those who may need surgical procedures.
  • Rabies is spread through bites or licks on broken skin from an infected animal. It is always fatal. Vaccination is advised for those going to risk areas that will be remote from a reliable source of vaccine. Even when pre-exposure vaccines have been received urgent medical advice should be sought after any animal bite.

Malaria

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes. You cannot be vaccinated against malaria.

Malaria precautions

  • The risk is high in the low altitude areas of Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces which border Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Includes Kruger National Park. Risk also in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal as far south as Jozini. There is low to no risk in all other parts of the country including the tourist centre of Sun City and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park (go to Malaria Map).
  • Malaria precautions are essential. Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.
  • Check with your doctor or nurse about suitable antimalarial tablets.
  • Atovaquone/proguanil OR doxycycline OR mefloquine is usually recommended for those visiting risk areas.
  • If you have been travelling in a malarious area and develop a fever seek medical attention promptly. Remember malaria can develop even up to one year after exposure.
  • If travelling to high risk malarious areas, remote from medical facilities, carrying emergency malaria standby treatment may be considered.