London Travel Vaccination Clinic – Daily Update 13 June 2014

Daily Tavel Health Update 13 June 2014 from Destination Health: Travel Vaccination Clinic in London.

India

Almost 20 people have died and hundreds hospitalised after a wave of Malaria infections in North East India near the boarder with Bangladesh. Travellers to areas of high risk of malaria such as this are advised to seek advice regarding malaria prevention measures prior to travelling, including medication, insect repellent and bed nets. Speak to one of our travel nurses regarding the various options that are available prior to your travel.

West Africa

Efforts are continuing in West Africa to try and stop the spread of the deadly Ebola Virus that has so far claimed the lives of over 200 people in the region. Health authorities are facing a number of challenges including lack of expertise and medicine as well as local resistance to western style medicine preferring to us traditional healers. Travellers to this area need to keep up-to-date with travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and local health authorities.

Indonesia

Authorities in Bali, Indonesia have recorded almost 40 cases of Rabies in dogs throughout the island during recent routine testing. Travellers to high risk areas of contracting rabies, such as Indonesia, should consult with one of our travel nurses prior to departure for a risk assessment. Rabies is a very serious viral disease that is spread by mammals such as dogs, cats and bats and is almost always fatal in those that develop the disease. A vaccine can be given to travellers to help prevent this disease from developing.

Malaysia

More than 70 deaths have been recorded so far this year in Malaysia due to Dengue Fever, more than triple this time last year. Dengue Fever usually results in a severe fever and muscle and joint pains but can develop into the more life threatening hemorrhagic fever in those that have had the disease more than once. Travellers can reduce the risk of contracting this illness by avoid being bitten by the mainly daytime biting mosquitoes that carry the disease by using insect repellent and covering areas of exposed skin.

Saudi Arabia

The Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in the middle east is continuing to spread and cause concern for health authorities in the region. There have so far been over 650 confirmed cases of the MERS-CoV globally as well as 204 deaths. MERS is a severe respiratory syndrome and is spread to person to person when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Travellers to this region need to be vigilant of this outbreak and obtain advice on reducing the risk of contracting this disease prior to travelling.

The Caribbean

Travellers to the Caribbean are reminded that there is currently an outbreak of Chikungunya Virus across the region and should take precautions to avoid contracting this disease. Chikungunya Virus causes severe fever and muscle and joint pains which can last several days. There is currently no vaccination against this disease. Travellers are advised to avoid being bitten by the mainly daytime biting mosquito that carries this disease by covering areas of exposed skin and using DEET 50% insect repellent.