The ship's cook should be vigilant about their health and recognise when they should stay out of the galley due to illness. if falling ill, the cook should take appropriate steps to prevent the spread of illness to others, including notifying superiors or medical personnel, isolating themselves, and seeking medical evaluation if necessary. returning to work should only occur when the cook is no longer contagious and does not pose a risk to the health of other crew members or guests. infectious diseases, open wounds, infected cuts, or sores are not permitted when handling food due to the risk of spreading germs. foodborne illnesses can result from such conditions, posing a threat to the health of crew members and guests.