This Family Got Extremely Sick from One Simple Caravan Blunder—Here's How to Avoid Their Fate!
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Embarking on a caravan adventure across Australia's vast and beautiful landscapes can be the journey of a lifetime, especially for those in their golden years looking to explore the country's natural wonders. However, as one family's harrowing experience demonstrates, it's crucial to be prepared for the unexpected challenges that life on the road can present.
Bek and Doug Roberts, along with their children Ava, 8, and Conner, 6, set out on what was meant to be an epic Aussie adventure, selling their house in Jimboomba, just south of Brisbane, to travel full-time. Their journey took a distressing turn while staying in a caravan park in the remote heart of rural Australia.
Despite taking what they believed were the right precautions, the family fell 'extremely sick' after consuming what they thought was safe potable water. Bek, 35, recounted the ordeal to Yahoo News, describing the symptoms that rapidly overtook her family: 'The kids were nonstop vomiting, soft stools, and we all had stomach cramps.'
The Roberts family had equipped their caravan with an inline carbon water filter and an additional filter under the sink, confident that these measures would protect them if they filled their tanks with potable water. Unfortunately, this was not enough to shield them from the dangers lurking in the water supply.
Within days of using the caravan park's water, the entire family started experiencing severe illness. Initially dismissing it as a bout of gastro, they expected it to pass. But as the children's condition worsened, leading to weight loss and an inability to leave their beds, the Roberts realised they needed medical intervention.
Their visit to a rural hospital just over the Western Australia border brought a grim diagnosis: the family had contracted giardia, an intestinal infection caused by a parasite typically found in contaminated water. 'It was scary,' Bek admitted, especially given the limited medical services available in the remote region of the Northern Territory/Western Australia they were in.
The family was prescribed antibiotics to treat the infection, but their journey was significantly delayed as they waited for the children to recover before daring to traverse the Gibb River Road, an area devoid of medical facilities.
The incident was a stark reminder that in the Top End's dry season, giardia is known to contaminate the water supply, a fact corroborated by locals who had also fallen ill during the dry months.
Now, the Roberts family is sharing their story as a cautionary tale for fellow travellers. Bek's advice is clear: 'Potable water doesn’t always mean safe drinking water.' She urges travelling families to invest in a high-quality water filter that eliminates bacteria rather than relying on buying water in cartons, which is not a cost-effective solution for those living on the road full-time.
Moreover, Bek emphasises the importance of being aware of the nearest medical centre or hospital, as illnesses and accidents can occur at any time and anywhere during travels.
For our readers at the Seniors Discount Club, who may be seasoned caravanners or considering taking to the road, this story serves as a critical reminder to prioritise health and safety. Here are some additional tips to ensure your caravan adventure remains a dream, not a nightmare:
1. Research and invest in a top-tier water filtration system that is proven to remove pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and protozoa.
2. Regularly maintain and replace filters as recommended by the manufacturer to ensure they remain effective.
3. Always carry a supply of bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth, especially when travelling through remote areas.
4. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of waterborne illnesses and act quickly if you suspect you've been affected.
5. Keep a well-stocked first aid kit and know basic first aid procedures.
6. Plan your route with health care access in mind, and keep a list of emergency contacts handy.
We'd love to hear from you, our dear members, about your experiences and any additional advice you might have for staying healthy on the road. Share your stories and tips in the comments below, and let's help each other stay safe while enjoying the freedom of caravan travel!
Bek and Doug Roberts, along with their children Ava, 8, and Conner, 6, set out on what was meant to be an epic Aussie adventure, selling their house in Jimboomba, just south of Brisbane, to travel full-time. Their journey took a distressing turn while staying in a caravan park in the remote heart of rural Australia.
Despite taking what they believed were the right precautions, the family fell 'extremely sick' after consuming what they thought was safe potable water. Bek, 35, recounted the ordeal to Yahoo News, describing the symptoms that rapidly overtook her family: 'The kids were nonstop vomiting, soft stools, and we all had stomach cramps.'
A family travelling around Australia became extremely sick after drinking contaminated water from a caravan park despite filters being used. Credit: Shutterstock
The Roberts family had equipped their caravan with an inline carbon water filter and an additional filter under the sink, confident that these measures would protect them if they filled their tanks with potable water. Unfortunately, this was not enough to shield them from the dangers lurking in the water supply.
Within days of using the caravan park's water, the entire family started experiencing severe illness. Initially dismissing it as a bout of gastro, they expected it to pass. But as the children's condition worsened, leading to weight loss and an inability to leave their beds, the Roberts realised they needed medical intervention.
Their visit to a rural hospital just over the Western Australia border brought a grim diagnosis: the family had contracted giardia, an intestinal infection caused by a parasite typically found in contaminated water. 'It was scary,' Bek admitted, especially given the limited medical services available in the remote region of the Northern Territory/Western Australia they were in.
The family was prescribed antibiotics to treat the infection, but their journey was significantly delayed as they waited for the children to recover before daring to traverse the Gibb River Road, an area devoid of medical facilities.
The incident was a stark reminder that in the Top End's dry season, giardia is known to contaminate the water supply, a fact corroborated by locals who had also fallen ill during the dry months.
Now, the Roberts family is sharing their story as a cautionary tale for fellow travellers. Bek's advice is clear: 'Potable water doesn’t always mean safe drinking water.' She urges travelling families to invest in a high-quality water filter that eliminates bacteria rather than relying on buying water in cartons, which is not a cost-effective solution for those living on the road full-time.
Moreover, Bek emphasises the importance of being aware of the nearest medical centre or hospital, as illnesses and accidents can occur at any time and anywhere during travels.
For our readers at the Seniors Discount Club, who may be seasoned caravanners or considering taking to the road, this story serves as a critical reminder to prioritise health and safety. Here are some additional tips to ensure your caravan adventure remains a dream, not a nightmare:
1. Research and invest in a top-tier water filtration system that is proven to remove pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and protozoa.
2. Regularly maintain and replace filters as recommended by the manufacturer to ensure they remain effective.
3. Always carry a supply of bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth, especially when travelling through remote areas.
4. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of waterborne illnesses and act quickly if you suspect you've been affected.
5. Keep a well-stocked first aid kit and know basic first aid procedures.
6. Plan your route with health care access in mind, and keep a list of emergency contacts handy.
