Image courtesy of Royal Caribbean International https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships Cruises are growing in popularity, covering a few day or weeks or longer. Cruise populations are generally older than the normal UK population. As a result both the incidences of acute and chronic conditions can be high. The most commonly reported health problems are respiratory tract infections, injuries, [...]
It's an exciting time planning a Gap Year but being prepared can make sure that your trip is the best and the safest it can be. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have put together a comprehensive document that can act as a great tick list to ensure you have everything covered. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/gap-year-foreign-travel-advice Depending on your [...]
The latest Public Health England (PHE) report published on 17 January 2019, shows that seasonal flu is circulating in the community but remains at low levels. The statistics show that over the last week, GP consultations with flu-like illness, hospital and intensive care admission rates have all increased from 14.8 to 19.2 per 100,000, from 3.54 to 4.75 [...]
Human cases of avian (bird) flu continue to be reported in China and visitors should avoid exposure to wild birds and poultry. Public Health England offer the following advice. For more information go to https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england Avoid visiting live bird, animal markets and poultry farms Avoid contact with animal waste or untreated bird feathers Do not [...]
There are two main sources of travel health information within the UK. Both are effectively NHS sites. https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/ www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home Both provide a wealth of information for professionals, and patients to investigate any travel health risks or vaccination requirements themselves. Information is common to both sites as you would expect. However, there can be variations when [...]
Recent reporting in the Sunday Times, January 13th 2019, highlights a high profile death and psychiatric issues in another patient. YF vaccination is generally considered safe provided other clinical consideration such as immunosuppression are considered. Deaths are rare. Those aged over 60 have a fourfold increase in risks see below. YF itself can cause an [...]
Deaths from Yellow Fever via Brazil During the first few months of 2018, 19 tourist travellers who recently returned to their home countries from Brazil, developed yellow fever infection. One became ill in transit through the UK and subsequently died in hospital in London. Most of these travellers had spent time in a part [...]
A gentleman, from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, contracted the disease after being bitten by cat in Morocco. The victim attended Stoke Mandeville Hospital before being "transferred to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford as the regional referral centre for infectious diseases". Five Britons became infected from rabies between 2000 and 2017 after "animal exposures abroad". According to [...]
Public Health England is encouraging anyone who has been exposed to bats to seek medical advice. Exposure is defined as; Bite Scratch Contact with saliva This follows the finding of a rabid bat in Dorset. The risk is low, but anyone exposed should have a risk assessment completed by a health professional which may lead [...]
DRUG-RESISTANT TYPHOID FEVER IN PAKISTAN An outbreak of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid fever has been reported in Pakistan. During November 2016 an outbreak of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid was reported from the Sindh region of Pakistan, including the cities of Hyderabad and Karachi. As of January 2018, 2,089 confirmed cases are reported, however new cases [...]
