Travellers deciding to rough it off the beaten track in destinations lacking clean drinking water can now protect their health thanks to a device called LifeStraw.

Contaminated drinking water is one of the leading sources of health problems for travellers and can not only ruin your holiday but cause serious side effects ranging from mild gastrointestinal distress to bacterial diseases.

Bacteria, such as E. coli, cholera and salmonella are most commonly caused by water-borne illness; however more worrying is viruses like hepatitis A, polio and rotavirus along with chemical pollutants that can be found in drinking water around the world.

Sometimes travellers simply become ill because the pathogens in the water they drink are foreign to their immune systems.

While health agencies suggest the best way to protect yourself is to use bottled water or boil water to kill germs, these are not always viable options when travelling.

Designed by Swiss scientific company Vestergaard Frandsen, LifeStraw was initially used to assist in world crisis’s and distributed by Humanitarian Aid Organisations and Governments.

The device can now be purchased by travellers for personal use, assisting those who travel outside the comfort of hotels and areas where clean drinking water is available.

In countries such as Africa, Asia, South America and even the Pacific Islands where water borne diseases are rife, LifeStraw is a simple solution to ensure you can drink clean water.

LifeStraw can filter up to 1000 litres of water, removing dirt and biologicals like germs and parasites, yet is small enough to fit into your backpack, making it perfect for those who travellers who like to play outdoors.

Australia has initiated the availability of LifeStraws to the public, retailing for about $30 per device.