During the past decade, outbreaks of legionnaires' disease have occurred in some groups of tourists staying at certain hotels. This disease can present as a respiratory illness and may be severe and even fatal. Measures such as chlorination of water supplies can prevent infection, against which travellers have no other means of protection. Codes of practice and recommendations on the application of specific procedures for the monitoring and safety of food and water have been established by such bodies as the International Air Transport Association and the International Civil Aviation Organization. These recommendations are brought to the attention of airlines and international hotel groups.
Some countries maintain extensive food surveillance activities at the national level.
Travel organizations should ascertain whether these codes and recommendations are followed in the countries with which they are concerned.