TEMPERATURES SOAR IN GREECE.

Holidaymakers are being warned of the potential medical problems of the record temperatures in Greece. In ATHENS the temperatures rose to 39ocelsius and emergency services were put on alert as the pollution levels rose. If you are travelling to somewhere this hot from the UK remember that you are not likely to be used to such temperatures and that the young and the elderly are at increased risk of sunstroke and heat exhaustion. The advice? Stay out of the sun, especially between 11.00 and 14.00, use high factor sun cream, drink plenty of non-alcoholic drinks and shower or swim to cool down.

12/06/2001

YELLOW FEVER, COTE D'IVOIRE and in PERU

4 cases of Yellow Fever were reported to the WHO by the Ministry of Health in Cote d'Ivoire including 3 deaths in the South West.

In Peru 8 cases including 2 deaths have been reported with further patients being tested.

Remember that you will need a certificate of Vaccination to enter certain countries and that many countries will require you to be vaccinated if you are travelling to them via an infected area. Vaccination is only available from government certified centres, but you should be able to find one near you as a number of GP surgeries are registered and will vaccinate travellers who are not their own patients.

12/06/2001

ACUTE HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER IN KOSOVO

The World Health Organisation notes there has been an outbreak of this nasty disease with 4 deaths in recent weeks. The outbreak is in the South west of the country.

13/06/2001

MENINGITIS IN CANADA

In Edmonton, Canada, there have been 52 as of 17th January 2001 cases of meningitis since December 2000. Of these 3 have proved fatal. Meningitis is a disease that is normally prevalent in low numbers - Edmonton may normally expect 8 or so cases a year - but epidemics can occur sporadically. The number of cases is causing concern, particularly as the circulating organism is as yet unidentified. "Based on testing the lab has done, there was the emergence of a strain that had a slightly different genetic fingerprint than the previous strains we had seen," said Dr. Gerry Predy, Capital Health's medical officer of health.

Meningitis is most common in the children and young adult groups, and is more likley to be spread when living in close proximity.

29th January 2001

RIFT VALLEY FEVER IN SAUDI ARABIA

Since September last year there have been over 840 cases of RVF and 115 deaths in the ASIR region, the latest reports being of a further 2 cases and one death on 11th January 2001.

Rift Valley Fever is a 'phlebovirus', affecting the blood vessels, hence it is one of the haemorrhagic viruses, spread by mosquitoes although it can be spread by aerosol method from infected animal tissue or by blood to blood contact. It can affect cattle, sheep and other animals. The incubation period is 3 - 7 days, and people will develop FEVER, HEADACHE, MUSCLE and JOINT PAIN with dislike of light (PHOTOPHOBIA).

Most will recover but as can be seen from this epidemic a number will die - usually less than 5%. There is no cure as such, though using anti-viral agents (RIBAVIRIN) and serum from recovered patients may help.

Prevention is the most important thing, avoiding mosquito bites.

29th January 2001

MALARIA IN NAIROBI

Four people have died in an outbreak of malaria in Meru Central District and a further 2,000 others have been treated and either discharged or else admitted to various hospitals. The District Medical Officer of Health said that the outbreak was first reported some three weeks ago and is still not under control. Medical personnel have been deployed to Igoji Division, which is the worst hit area, where they have set up clinics. The worst hit areas are Kianjogu, Igoji and Mweru locations.

Anyone with symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pains, fever and general body weakness should seek treatment and advice from recognised public medical institutions.

Remember that malaria is still a cause of significant illness and death in the world, and that you should take every precaution to avoid being infected - see our advice on this site.

15th January 2001

ECONOMY CLASS SYNDROME

Much has been written about this in recent months following the death of bride-to-be Emma Christoffersen, 28, from Wales, who collapsed minutes after stepping off a 20-hour flight from Australia and later died. Of course there has been much conflicting information, but as doctors we are aware of the potential of serious problems. The condition refered to is of THROMBOSIS, where the blood clots within the vein and so causes a blockage. If this happens in the leg, typically the calf muscle, this will lead to a DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis), giving severe pain with swelling. If a piece of the clot breaks off and travels through the veins it can become lodged in the lungs so causing a PE (Pulmonary Embolus), which causes severe chest pain, worse on breathing, and may prove fatal.

Women taking the contraceptive pill and smokers are at highest risk, but others at risk include anyone who has recent surgery or who has a history of thrombosis. It is made more likely by sitting with the leg compressed for a prolonged time, but in airplanes the reduction in air pressure and risk of dehydration make it more likely.

How to reduce the risk:

1. If able to take a half aspirin (150mg) the day before the flight, the day of the flight and the day after - caution if Asthmatic, on other medication or allergic to aspirin
2. Drink plenty of water and not much alcohol (if any) on the flight
3. Try to get up and walk every 30 minutes or so of the flight - or at the least exercise your legs - feeling the calf muscles relax and contract regularly

Most airlines are now issuing advice to reduce the risks.

12th January 2001

DENGUE FEVER in Sri Lanka and Honduras

There have been reports that the ministry of health in Sri Lanka have closed a number of schools in the south of the country due to this particular haemorrhagic disease transmitted by mosquitoes.

Meanwhile in Honduras there have been a number of deaths in the last few weeks with several hundred people under observation.

Whenever staying in a country where there is a risk of insect-borne diseases such as Dengue Fever and Malaria, you must take sensible precautions to avoid being bitten as well as taking protection.

Dengue Fever and Dengue Haemorrhagic fever are caused by one of four closely related but distinct viruses which are spread by mosquitoes. The illness ranges from a mild non-specific illness to a fatal haemorrhagic condition.

TRYPANOSOMIASIS (African Sleeping Sickness)

After 2 people have returned to the UK with this serious illness from Central Africa you are advised to be aware of the dangers. It is transmitted by the Tsetse fly, usually given a sore bite which then develops in to a 'chancre' (a raised sore). Usual advice for avoiding bites applies, such as an insect repellant, covering up and avoiding the bush.

More information at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/trypanosomiasis/default.htm

7th November 2000

UGANDA - Ebola Virus

There is an outbreak of this deadly haemorrhagic disease in the Northwest of Uganda centered on Gulu. It is thought that so far about 50 people have died with a further 75 to 85 infected. There is no vaccine or cure for this disease and the fatality rate is some 65 - 85%. Initially it presents with fever and aching ('flu-type symptoms) but then goes on to produce vomiting and bloody diarrhoea. Eventually the patient may lapse into unconsciousness and bleed from all orifices (nose, mouth, rectum) and die.

It is thought that the disease may have been brought back by Ugandan soldiers from Zaire.

Travellers are unlikely to come into contact with the disease unless involved in aid work, backpacking or staying with local families in the area.

21st October 2000