Staying Healthy in the Mission Field: Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh My!
By: Jo Ellen Nutter
Episcopal International Mission Conference Baltimore, MD June 2008


Everyone Everywhere: Staying Healthy in the Mission Field- Resource Sheet

Preparation Checklist:
1. Research location, living conditions, water supply
2. Visit a travel medicine specialist
3. Get vaccinations
4. Gather daily medications and treatment medications for ailments while traveling
5. Purchase sufficient insect repellent and mosquito net if indicated
6. Decide on a potable water plan and purchase equipment if needed
7. Review the safety checklist

10 Point Safety Checklist

1. Hand washing: before touching food and after toileting
2. Potable water: drink lots of it
3. Insect repellent plan: use it
4. Foods; only well cooked and hot
5. Fruits and Vegetables; only what I prepare
6. No lettuce
7. Sunscreen
8. Register with the Embassy
9. Remember to H.A.L.T. and take care of yourself
10. Remember the rubber band plan: stay flexible

Insect Repellent:
Ultrathon, www.3m.com 800-430-5000 this is the lotion for skin
Sawyer Insect Repellent Clothing Permethrin,
If you search Permethrin insect repellent several vendors will appear

Recipes:
Potable water- 1 liter of water 5 drops of bleach, shake, wait 30 minutes
Dishwashing/veg-fruit washing water-10% bleach: 9parts water 1 part bleach soak 30 minOral Re-hydration fluid-one glass of water, handful of sugar, pinch of salt
For Babies one glass per stool, Adults 2 glasses per stool

Skype: Consider getting Skype for yourself and your family if you will have internet access.
Computer to computer calls are free and computer to phone calls are very inexpensive.

This is a missionary support website:(not financial) http://missionaryoutreach.net/

Government resource sites:
www.cdc.gov/travel
www.who.int/int


travel.state.gov
www.istm.org
CDC Yellow Book
WHO Green Book


Books:
Oxford Handbook of Tropical Medicine (Oxford Handbooks Series)
by Michael Eddleston, Roert Davidson, Andrew Brent, and Robert Wildinson May 25, 2008
The Travel and Tropical Medicine Manual
by Elaine C. Jong and Christopher A, Sanford August 29,2008
Where There is No Doctor