| Complaints of holiday illness in Egypt have increased over the past 12 months and many holidaymakers are now claiming compensation from the tour operators for loss of enjoyment of their holidays, pain and suffering.
Food may pass naturally but it can also be very severe and, if you become dehydrated, you may suffer serious illness. All inclusive hotels often serve food which is reheated, not served at the correct temperature and/or undercooked which can cause Salmonella food poisoning.
Hotels in Egypt and Turkey have seen outbreaks of holiday illness and food poisoning recently and poor levels of hygiene and food is often to blame. Food poisoning can affect everyone, regardless of age or levels of fitness, although serious illness is much more likely to occur in young children, older people, people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women.
When poor standards of food and hygiene exist in holiday hotels in Egypt, outbreaks of illness can result. If you have suffered food poisoning or symptoms of diarrhoea, sickness, nausea and fever, which you believe are linked to your holiday hotel, you could claim compensation when you get back to the UK.
When bacteria are ingested, although the taste and smell of food may not be any different, it can cause food poisoning. Bacteria grow in temperatures which range from 40º-140ºF and it is rarely possible to see bacteria on food. Food contamination can also occur when dirt, faeces or droppings enter the food, which is then eaten and ingested into the intestine.
Cross contamination is also a major cause of food poisoning. Raw meat, for example, should always be stored below cooked foods in the fridge, to prevent juices dropping onto it and chopping boards should always be cleaned in hot, soapy water between use with different foods.
Always be careful if you attend a holiday barbecue as meat is often undercooked. Chicken and mince products, including burgers, can easily cause food poisoning if they undercooked or pink in the middle. All inclusive buffets can also cause holiday illness if food is not served fresh daily and at the correct temperature. Reheated food and food that is left uncovered and open to the elements can cause gastric illness and food poisoning.
Make sure you visit a doctor at your resort if you suffer severe bouts of sickness and diarrhoea and always get checked out by your own GP when you return home, who may ask you for a stool sample. Make sure you make a complaint to the holiday representative at the resort, so the tour operator has a record of your illness and keep a copy of anything you sign. Never eat salads if they are not chilled and only eat fruit you can peel yourself.
Providing your holiday illness was contracted in the hotel and the hotel was part of a package tour, you can claim compensation from the tour operator in the UK. You should not be exposed to holiday illness of any type and tour operators have a responsibility to protect the welfare of holidaymakers in package tour hotels.
Once you have sought medical help contact a personal injury solicitor as soon as possible. Although you have three years to make a holiday illness compensation claim, the sooner you contact a solicitor the better, as details of the illness will still be fresh in your mind.
Adrian vultur writes for Egypt holiday illness claims |
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