It has only been in recent years that China has let down the curtain, so to speak, allowing foreign nationals to visit this last stronghold of Communism in the world. In fact, there had been so little travel to and from this globally most populace country with a total population coming in at almost 1.7 billion people that little was known until recent years about the overall health of the Chinese people. Here are some notable health facts to be aware of when travelling to China for business.
First Things First
During the process of seeking an entry visa into China, you will need to ensure that all vaccinations for travelling to China are up to date. Since this is one strict country when it comes to welcoming visitors from other nations, it is imperative that you check with health professionals like the London Travel Clinic to ensure that you are up to date on the latest requirements or your trip could be significantly delayed. Now on to those interesting health facts.
The Bubonic Plague Is Still Alive in China
This medieval plague that wiped out a huge portion of the European continent in the Middle Ages is still to be found in China. There is a vaccine that is somewhat effective against bubonic plague which is caused by the Yersinia Pestis bacteria and has been successfully treated with antibiotics in many parts of the world. As recently as 2014 China was prompted to quarantine an area in the Northeast because of fear of starting a pandemic. However, the plague never spread for which the reason was never found. If you are travelling to China, take the time to see whether or not there have been any reported cases of the bubonic plague in that region and get vaccinated if there is any known danger.
Chinese Eat a Diet Low in Fibre
Most people assume that Chinese cuisine is high in fibre and low in fats. Actually, this is not the case as the typical Chinese diet is extremely low in fibre and high in fats. The one redeeming grace is that the fats being consumed by the Chinese come largely from fish which is a healthy fat. Many wrongly assume that highly popular rice noodles are high in fibre but the opposite is actually true. If you need high amounts of fibre in your own diet and your business trip to China is going to be extended, make sure to take along fibre tablets or powder to supplement your diet.
Obesity Has Struck China
At one time the Chinese were notorious for being amongst the slimmest, healthiest people in the world. According to several recent studies, China has entered what is being called an ‘era of obesity.’ If you travel to China expecting to see people who are inordinately thin, you just might be surprised!
Warning to Pregnant Women
It should never be assumed that most business trips to China are undertaken by the males of the species! As more and more women are entering the professional workforce, greater numbers are also travelling to China as well. One thing to be aware of is the fact that China does have reported cases of Dengue Fever which is caused by a bite from the same mosquito as that which is causing so much panic in the West with the Zika virus. Those who are not pregnant can most likely experience a mild case of flu-like symptoms but pregnant women need to be aware of the potential for causing neurological birth defects in the child they are carrying.
When you stop to consider just how populace this country is, with a major portion of the population residing in the country’s major cities, it is possible to contract a disease or illness more easily than in a location with a sparse population. The best advice is to get all recommended inoculations prior to travelling and you can expect a safe (and healthy!) trip.