London Travel Vaccination Clinic – Daily Update 30 May 2014

Daily Travel Health Update 30 May 2014 from Destination Health: Travel Vaccination Clinic in London.

Pakistan

Two new cases of Polio have been reported in Pakistan bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 67 this year. More than 90 percent of the cases have been reported from areas of the country where vaccination programmes have been abandoned. Should you be travelling to Pakistan, make sure that you are up-to-date with your routine vaccinations which includes Polio. This will ensure that you do not develop this illness as well as prevent you from spreading it further upon your return from your travels.

Ghana

The authorities in Ghana are warning of a possible outbreak of Cholera in Accra due to current unsanitary conditions and the onset of the rainy season. Last year an outbreak of Cholera killed 18 people in the region and affected 310 people. There is a vaccination for cholera which can reduce the risk of developing this disease. Should you be travelling to this region, speak to one of our travel vaccination nurses at either of or travel clinics in London regarding this vaccination. 

Puerto Rico

Authorities in Puerto Rico have registered the first case of Chikungunya Fever since the outbreak began in the Caribbean earlier this year. There have so far been over 60,000 cases of Chikungunya Fever reported across the Caribbean this year. Chikungunya Fever is a very unpleasant illness which causes severe joint and muscle pain as well as high temperatures and fever in those infrected. Travellers to the region are advised to avoid being bitten by mosquitos by wearing insect repellant and covering exposed skin. 

Sierra Leone

Authorities in Sierra Leone have announced that there have been 14 cases of Ebola including 2 deaths over the past two weeks. The outbreak continues to be challenging for authorities and health care workers throughout West Africa where the outbreak began in March of this year. There is currently no vaccination for Ebola which in some cases has a mortality rate of more than 90%. Travellers to the region are advised to keep up-to-date with travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as well as avoid all contact with anyone that is suspected to have this illness or to have come into contact with anyone with this illness. 

Saudi Arabia

There have been three new cases and six deaths in the last 24 hours from the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Saudi Arabia in the past 24 hours. The outbreak continues to spread throughout the region with cases being reported in neighbouring countries. There is no vaccination for Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome. Travellers are advised to avoid crowded areas where this disease can be transmitted via coughing and sneezing by those infected with the disease.

Tanzania

Dengue Fever has started spreading in Tanzania mostly in the Dar es Salaam region of the country with 50 new cases being reported. Dengue Fever causes severe muscle and joint pain as well as high fevers. There is currently no vaccination available and travellers to this region are advised to make sure that they use insect repellant and avoid being bitten by covering exposed skin.