Latest news with #travelhealth
BBC News
14 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Rabies death prompts jump in vaccine inquiries
The death of a British grandmother from rabies after she was scratched by a puppy while on holiday has sparked a surge in the number of travellers seeking advice about vaccinations, a pharmacist has said. Yvonne Ford, 59, from Barnsley, died in hospital in Sheffield on 11 June after having light contact with the stray dog during a family trip to Morocco in Olamide Olokanmi said that, following news of the tragic case: "We've had a lot of phone calls asking about it."He said his pharmacy in Otley, West Yorkshire, had stocked up on the jab but he was concerned that an increase in demand may lead to a shortage of supply. "We frequently have supply issues with vaccines, especially when there's a high demand for them, and rabies notoriously seems to be one of them," said Mr Olokanmi. "Year-on-year we always have that problem, so I do foresee that being a problem."There would then be a wait for it to come back in or we'd have to go to another manufacturer which then drives up the price of the vaccine."It currently costs up to £330 for a three-dose rabies vaccine. 'Lots of calls' Mrs Ford's death from the the virus was the first in the UK since 2018 when a British man was bitten by a cat in the same African Olokanmi said there had already been an upsurge in the number of people seeking advice about whether to get the vaccination before travelling to high-risk regions such as Asia, Africa and Central and South news of Mrs Ford's death, most people accessing the pharmacy's travel clinic opted not to get the jab, he said. Mr Olokanmi added: "We had one lady come in on Wednesday night who is going on holiday to Morocco."She wasn't going to get the vaccine but after hearing what happened to this lady she changed her mind."A young man has also come in who is going to Morocco and we've had a lot of phone calls from people asking about it." Dr Chris Smith, consultant virologist at the University of Cambridge, said rabies was a "big international problem" but very few people in the UK were affected. "We never take risks with rabies. It's universally fatal if you catch it with very few exceptions."Dr Smith, who heads up the university-based The Naked Scientists podcast, added: "Most of the infections we see come from stray dogs and feral cats."It's very tempting when you see a cute looking puppy or kitten and think, I'll just pet that. But if they've got rabies their behaviour changes."They can scratch or bite you and rabies is spread in the saliva of an infected animal and it's then injected into the wound site either by the scratch or bite."Once it's in you, you have very little time for us to intervene to block it before it gets into the nervous system with fatal consequences."If the worst did happen, thankfully we can intervene but you have to do that promptly. Act immediately and in most countries medical facilities know what to do." The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said the latest case involving Mrs Ford underscored "the importance of awareness and timely treatment" for UK the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), said under its code of conduct, it required its members to direct customers to the UK government's travel advice when planning and booking their Brennan, from the organisation, said: "The UK Foreign Office does do a lot to raise awareness of checking this advice and we support them in that, and their work with industry."
New York Times
3 days ago
- Health
- New York Times
How to Pack a Travel First-Aid Kit
As anyone who's ever visited an emergency room far from home knows, an illness or accident can instantly undo the benefits of even the most relaxing vacation. In a foreign hospital, especially if you don't speak the language, an unpleasant situation can evolve into a confusing — and sometimes expensive — nightmare. But while travel inevitably includes exposure to new germs and environmental elements, there are ways to mitigate the risk. Here, experts share their best advice on what to pack to minimize the chance of an on-the-road medical drama. First, talk to your doctor — and your insurance company Even if your destination doesn't warrant typhoid vaccinations or anti-malaria medication, your health care provider may have some pre-travel recommendations. For example, if you're traveling to an area experiencing a measles outbreak — which currently includes parts of the U.S. — you'll want to make sure your shots are up to date, says Kawsar Talaat, an infectious disease specialist at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Your physician may also prescribe an extra supply of your daily medications as well as some just-in-case antibiotics. Note that levels of antibiotic resistance around the world vary and are always changing, so your itinerary will have an impact on which drugs will be most effective, says the physician Stuart Harris, the founder and chief of the Massachusetts General Hospital's Division of Wilderness Medicine. It's also a good idea to contact your health insurance company to determine your level of coverage away from home, says Robert Hoke, an emergency medicine doctor at New York's Mount Sinai Health System. While the country you're visiting may provide free medical care, that doesn't always apply to nonresidents. Finally, if you're going somewhere very remote, consider buying evacuation insurance in case of serious injury or illness. 'It's an extra expense, but this is maybe not the place to skimp,' says Hoke, noting that emergency medical flights can cost tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket. Consider any chronic conditions It's best to carry daily prescription medications in their original containers. 'If you're a customs person looking at a bunch of pills and you don't know what they are, it can cause problems,' says Talaat, who also recommends bringing more than you need, in case of travel delays. If you've ever been prescribed an asthma inhaler or EpiPen, make sure to bring it — even if you've never used it at home. 'You're going to be trying different foods and using different soaps,' says Hoke. 'This isn't the time not to have it.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Telegraph
Exactly what long car journeys do to your body
If you spent your childhood in Britain, you likely have memories of many a car journey: the early starts, the packed lunches, the boots full to the brim. Then there are the hours spent playing I Spy and singing, driving through the countryside, to get to the seaside, holiday camps or visit family. Long car journeys are quintessentially British. And such trips came into their heyday in post-war Britain, when car ownership had become more common and trips abroad were unusual. While the advent of the cheap package holidays to Spain (where good weather is nearly guaranteed) reduced the number of people flooding seaside towns, so-called 'staycations' are in demand for their cost and convenience. However, it does mean hours in the car and the familiar feelings of tiredness, travel sickness and muscle aches that it brings. So, what's actually happening in our bodies, and what can we do to keep in good health during the journey? Tiredness It's common for passengers to nod off on long journeys, but obviously, it is extremely dangerous if the driver succumbs to drowsiness – between 10 and 20 per cent of all crashes are caused by fatigue. 'For the driver, tiredness will eventually kick in,' says Prof Charles Spence, an experimental psychologist at the University of Oxford, who researches car design and how it affects driving. Studies suggest that, beyond just the mental effort of driving, driving can induce sleepiness within 15 minutes due to the natural vibrations of car seats, while the white noise made by the engine, wheels and passing cars is also thought to play a role. 'Several car companies' idea of success in recent years was to design car interiors such that when commuters got home at the end of day, they would just sit in the driveway because the multisensory environment was so comfortable,' Prof Spence says. 'Ultimate comfort might not be ideal for keeping a driver on a long journey in peak state of arousal or alertness.' How to prevent it 'Opening a window to get some fresh air can help,' Prof Spence says. 'But ultimately, presumably, the thing to do is take a break.' Some cars now come with driver drowsiness detection, which makes a loud noise or causes the wheel to vibrate when it senses – by analysing speed, time of day and weather – a driver might be becoming tired. 'Cars can monitor drivers nowadays, but an urgent alert sound may be too unpleasant,' Spence says. Getting enough sleep the night before a long journey is also key. Research shows that drivers who get less than five hours of sleep are just as likely to crash as if they were over the legal limit for alcohol. Motion sickness During a long car journey, around one in three of us will experience the symptoms of motion sickness to some degree, from mild nausea to vomiting that forces us to pull over. It's thought that motion sickness is a result of a sensory mismatch between the movement the body is experiencing (sensed by the inner ear) and the movement that we're seeing (logged by our eyes), explains John Golding, professor of applied psychology at the University of Westminster, who has previously worked with RAF pilots and sailors in the navy to desensitise them to motion sickness. Experts believe the resulting unpleasant symptoms occur because the body believes that this sensory mismatch is a sign that it has been poisoned, he explains. 'In response, the brain tells the stomach to stop moving its contents further through the gut (a protective reflex called gastric stasis) because, according to this poison detector theory, that would be preventing any further poison from being absorbed,' he says. While some people never suffer from queasiness in the car, others reach for a plastic bag on every long car journey. This is a result of an accumulation of risk factors, Prof Golding says. Women are more susceptible than men, as are people who suffer from migraines, and there is a genetic element as well, with research showing that there are 35 genetic markers that contribute to motion sickness. Age is also a factor, with children between eight and 10 most likely to suffer. 'Drivers hardly ever become sick because the car becomes an extension of their body and they control the motions of the car as they steer into curves or brake or accelerate,' Prof Golding notes. 'But for the poor passenger, they're not in control.' How to prevent it 'There are three basic approaches,' Prof Golding explains. The first is to expose yourself enough times so you get used to the sensation – an approach used to desensitise RAF pilots, he says. 'However, that's time-consuming, and if you're not frequently making long car journeys, this might not be the best option for you,' he notes. Another approach is to try behaviours that limit the severity of motion sickness, such as sitting in the front passenger seat and focusing on the road ahead to anticipate the movement, which reduces sensory mismatch, he explains. 'Sitting in the back seat and looking out at flashing scenery as you drive by is no good,' he notes. Some turn to acupressure travel bands (wrist bands with a plastic button attached, which is placed over the centre of the wrist). 'Trials show that they work as well as a placebo, but the placebo effect can be wonderful, so they really do work for some people,' he says. Avoiding looking at your phone, reading a book or moving your head around too much, as this will only worsen the sensory mismatch, Prof Golding says. The third option is anti-sickness drugs. These include hyoscine hydrobromide (sold under brand names including Kwells) and cinnarizine (branded as Stugeron). These work by preventing symptoms and typically need to be taken an hour before you get in the car, Prof Golding notes. 'There's no point in taking it once you start to feel even slightly queasy, as at this point, gastric stasis has already occurred, so you won't be able to absorb it,' he notes. Some companies are developing devices that they hope will target motion sickness. One example is Apple's 'vehicle motion cues', which allows iPhone users to have six static dots on their screen, which, once a person is in a moving car, shift in the direction of travel in a bid to reduce motion sickness. 'It does not provide any anticipation of the motion – it is not a 'warning cue',' Prof Golding notes. 'I would have doubts about the usefulness of this phone software. Especially because it is making the passenger concentrate on looking at the screen. We know that reading, looking down at mobile device screens, tends to exacerbate motion sickness.' It might help some people but will likely make things worse for most, he adds. Gut discomfort Long journeys in the car disrupt our usual routines, throwing our activity levels and eating habits out of whack, which has a knock-on effect on how our gut is feeling. 'People often drink less water when travelling, snack at odd times and disrupt their normal bathroom habits,' notes Dr Emily Leeming, a microbiome scientist and dietitian. This isn't helped by the food available at petrol stations and motorway services, which is often ultra-processed convenience food. Additionally, sitting for long periods of time can slow down gut motility for some people, which are the wave-like muscle contractions that move food and waste through your gut, she notes. Each of these factors contributes to sluggishness and can lead to bloating, wind and constipation, Dr Leeming notes. How to prevent it 'Try getting out of the car for regular breaks, go for a short walk or do some stretches every few hours to help stimulate your digestion,' she suggests. 'Take a water bottle with you to stay hydrated.' Dr Leeming also recommends trying to eat your meals at the same time you would if you're not travelling. If you want snacks for the car, nuts and fruit like bananas and apples are great choices, she says. 'They'll keep you feeling full and also provide plenty of fibre and other nutrients.' Tight-fitting clothes, like jeans, dresses and skirts, can put extra pressure on the abdomen, which traps gas and slows digestion, which makes any bloating feel even more uncomfortable. 'So, wear loose-fitting bottoms when you're travelling instead, that have some give around your stomach,' she says. Muscle stiffness Tense shoulders, tight calves and back pain are common grumbles from drivers and passengers during long stints in the car. This is a consequence of remaining in a seated position for too long, though, for drivers, the small adjustments in the neck, shoulders, arms, lower back and lower limbs that our bodies make while behind the wheel is also a factor, explains Prof Lee Smith, a professor of public health at Anglia Ruskin University, who has expertise in sedentary behaviour. 'Sitting for too long, particularly in a position that is not aligned with the natural curves of our spine, can contribute to a number of musculoskeletal problems,' he adds. These include lower back pain and stiffness, neck tension, shoulder strain and lower limb fatigue and stiffness from operating pedals, as well as sciatica-like symptoms from poor hip positioning. How to prevent it Prof Smith recommends scheduling a break in your drive every two hours, giving yourself and your passengers enough time to stretch and have a short walk. Passengers can also stretch out their neck, arms and legs while in the car. Additionally, the Royal Automobile Club recommends checking your driving set-up to prevent muscle stiffness, aches and pains. You can do this by making sure the seat is upright at around a 100-degree angle; ensuring your head is centred in the middle of your headrest; adjusting wing and rear-view mirrors so you don't need to twist to see out of them; and making sure your back and shoulders touch the backrest when your hands are on the steering wheel. Poor blood flow Beyond our muscles, sitting for too long can also lead to problems with blood flow, says Prof Smith. 'It can contribute to the prevention of effective circulation of blood through our bodies, and this can cause blood to pool in the veins of the legs,' he says. 'Sitting uninterrupted for long periods of time can ultimately cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a type of blood clot that forms in a vein,' he says. Normally, blood flows through the veins, helped by movement in your muscles. However, if you are seated for too long (typically four hours or more), the flow of blood can slow down and pool in the veins, causing a clot to form, which either partially or completely blocks a vein. Common symptoms include swelling and pain but there may be no signs of a clot. 'The clot can break free and travel to the lungs, causing a sudden blockage of arteries in the lung, known as a pulmonary embolism,' Prof Smith explains. 'Although serious, these types of blood clots are rare.' How to prevent it When in the car for three hours or more, the NHS recommends taking breaks where possible to walk around, as well as wearing loose-fitting clothing that doesn't prevent blood flow, drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol. While typically associated with long-haul flights, compression socks can be worn on long car journeys to encourage blood circulation. 'If a passenger in the vehicle, exercise your calf muscles and exercise your legs while sitting,' Prof Smith recommends. 'For example, you could raise and lower your heels while keeping your toes on the floor, raise and lower your toes while keeping your heels on the floor, and tighten and release your leg muscles.'
The Independent
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Travellers warned as typhoid infections reach new high
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a warning about a record number of travel-linked typhoid and paratyphoid cases. Provisional figures show 702 cases of typhoid and paratyphoid fever in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland in 2024, an 8 per cent increase from the previous year, and is the highest number ever recorded. Typhoid fever, a bacterial infection spread through contaminated food and water, can be fatal without prompt treatment; a free vaccine is available for some patients. Imported malaria cases remain at concerning levels in the UK, with 1,812 cases diagnosed in 2024, while dengue cases appear to have decreased. Dr. Philip Veal of UKHSA advises travellers to plan ahead, check the Travel Health Pro website for health information, and consult healthcare professionals about necessary precautions and vaccinations.
The Independent
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Cases of Victorian-era disease linked to travel at record high in UK
Health officials have reported a record number of typhoid and paratyphoid cases linked to travel. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a warning, urging travellers to take all possible precautions to avoid infections. Provisional figures from the agency reveal 702 cases of typhoid and paratyphoid fever in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland in 2024. This represents an 8 per cent increase from the previous year, and is the highest number ever recorded. Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection and without prompt treatment it can cause serious complications and can be fatal. It is caused by a salmonella bacteria and usually spread through contaminated food and water. A free vaccine is available for some patients at their GP surgery before travel, with travellers urged to check the Travel Health Pro website for information before they go abroad. There is no vaccine for paratyphoid. Meanwhile the UKHSA said that imported malaria cases remain at 'concerning levels' in the UK, despite a slight decrease from the previous year. There were 1,812 cases diagnosed in 2024. The number of dengue cases also appears to have decreased. Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: 'We are seeing high levels of infections such as malaria and typhoid in returning travellers. 'It is important that travellers remain alert and plan ahead of going abroad – even if you're visiting friends and relatives abroad or it's somewhere you visit often. 'The Travel Health Pro website has information on how to keep yourself and family healthy, including what vaccines to get, any important medication such as anti-malaria tablets, and how to avoid gastrointestinal infections such as typhoid and hepatitis A. 'If you are pregnant or trying to conceive there are special precautions you should take, so please speak to a healthcare professional before planning your trip.'
