Imported dengue cases concerning
The UK’s Health Protection Agency (HPA) has released new figures that show the number of UK travellers found to be suffering from dengue fever has more than doubled in the past year. In 2009, there were 166 cases of imported dengue fever among travellers, while in 2010 the number rose to 406. Of the total number of cases reported in the UK, the highest proportion was associated with people who had travelled to India, with 21 per cent of the cases, and a further 15 per cent of cases were in people who had been travelling in Thailand. Other figures from the HPA also show an increase in the number of cases of chikungunya virus being seen in the UK – 79 cases were reported in 2010, a 34-per-cent rise on 2009. The statistics for chikungunya showed that 50 per cent of those stricken with the mosquito-borne virus had travelled to India. Travellers were recently warned by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) about dengue fever in Fiji, another popular destination, with the organisation warning that there is no vaccination against dengue, but preventive measures against the disease should be taken. In addition, travellers were told that while the Fiji Ministry of Health reported that the incidence of typhoid on the island is generally declining, cases do still occur. In total, health officials said that 149 cases of typhoid were reported in Fiji between January and May this year, and typhoid hotspots are being monitored by local public health officials. The FCO warned: “Healthcare facilities are adequate for routine medical treatment, but are limited in range and availability. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. In the event of a medical emergency, evacuation could be a likely option for treatment, and you should ensure that your insurance policy covers this.”
The UK’s Health Protection Agency (HPA) has released new figures that show the number of UK travellers found to be suffering from dengue fever has more than doubled in the past year. In 2009, there were 166 cases of imported dengue fever among travellers, while in 2010 the number rose to 406. Of the total number of cases reported in the UK, the highest proportion was associated with people who had travelled to India, with 21 per cent of the cases, and a further 15 per cent of cases were in people who had been travelling in Thailand.
Other figures from the HPA also show an increase in the number of cases of chikungunya virus being seen in the UK – 79 cases were reported in 2010, a 34-per-cent rise on 2009. The statistics for chikungunya showed that 50 per cent of those stricken with the mosquito-borne virus had travelled to India.
Travellers were recently warned by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) about dengue fever in Fiji, another popular destination, with the organisation warning that there is no vaccination against dengue, but preventive measures against the disease should be taken. In addition, travellers were told that while the Fiji Ministry of Health reported that the incidence of typhoid on the island is generally declining, cases do still occur. In total, health officials said that 149 cases of typhoid were reported in Fiji between January and May this year, and typhoid hotspots are being monitored by local public health officials.
The FCO warned: “Healthcare facilities are adequate for routine medical treatment, but are limited in range and availability. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. In the event of a medical emergency, evacuation could be a likely option for treatment, and you should ensure that your insurance policy covers this.”