Travel Clinic London – Daily Update 1 July 2014

Daily Travel Health Update 1 July fromLondon Vaccination Clinic: Travel Clinic London

The Caribbean

Chikungunya Fever is continuing spread throughout the Caribbean as well as some parts of the Americas with almost 200,000 suspected to have been infected by the disease since the outbreak began at the start of March. Chikungunya Fever is spread by daytime biting mosquitoes which causes severe joint and muscle pain in those infected with the disease. It usually lasts for a few days to up to a week but can last longer in some cases. It usually clears up on its own but it can be more serious in elderly people, those with underlying and pre-existing conditions. There is currently no vaccination for Chikungunya Fever but travellers can reduce the risk of contracting this disease by using insect repellent such as DEET 50% as well as covering up areas of exposed skin. 

India

Cases of Dengue Fever are being reported across India with 12 cases reported in Delhi in recent days. Like Chikungunya Fever, Dengue Fever is also spread by daytime biting mosquitoes and causes a very similar condition in people infected with the disease, with severe joint and muscle pains and fever. Symptoms usually last for a few days to a week but can last longer. There are four strains of Dengue Fever and once a person has been infected with one strain they are immune to it. People who contract the disease for the second time usually experience more severe symptoms and in some cases Dengue Fever can be fatal. As with Chikungunya Fever, travellers can reduce the risk of contracting the disease by avoiding being bitten in the first place by covering up skin with long sleeves and trousers as well as using an insect repellent with DEET. Speak with our travel nurses at either of our Travel Clinics in London for further advice.

Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia

We have been reporting daily for some time now on the Ebola Outbreak which is affecting countries across West Africa including Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The outbreak is still very serious and reports suggest that it is continuing to spread, with over 330 deaths across the region and now threatening neighbouring countries. Health Authorities including the World Health Organisation and MSF have both given money and resources to help combat the spread of this disease and help treat those infected. It is however a very challenging situation as the outbreak has occurred across multiple locations, with around 60 different areas across the three countries affected. A number of health workers have also been infected with the disease and there are reports that 27 of them have now died. Ebola is a very serious and contagious disease and travellers to this region are advised to be extremely cautious, avoid all contact with anyone that has been infected with or come into contact with anyone infected with this disease. Keep up-to-date with travel warnings from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.

Vietnam

The government in Vietnam has issued a warning about Japanese Encephalitis which is causing more than 30% of encephalitis cases in the country, up from 8% in the previous year. More than 130 children have been admitted to a children’s hospital in Hanoi with the disease. Japanese Encephalitis is a vaccine preventable illness which is spread by mosquitoes. Travellers considering extended travel throughout this region should consider vaccination against this disease. Speak with one of our travel nurses at either of our Travel Clinics in London for further details.