In the tropics, watercourses, canals, lakes, etc. Bathing and washing in waters likely to be infested with the snail host of this parasite or contaminated with human and animal excreta should be avoided. Only swimming pools containing chlorinated water may be considered safe for bathing. Swimming, fishing and walking barefoot in rivers or watery rice paddies, or on muddy land, may expose travellers to leptospirosis infections, especially in south-east Asia and the western Pacific regions. These cercariae penetrate the skin and die, causing a localized or extended cutaneous allergic reaction.
Treatment is symptomatic.
Seawater Bathing in the sea does not in principle involve any risk of communicable disease. Travellers are nevertheless recommended to ascertain from local sources whether bathing is permitted and presents any hazards for health. Jellyfish stings may cause severe pain and skin irritation. In some areas, bathers should wear shoes as a protection against biting and stinging fish, coral dermatitis, and poisonous fish, shellfish and sea anemones. In areas of known risk, footwear should be worn on land as a protection against ancylostomiasis, strongyloidiasis, certain mycetomas, and tungiasis.