Extreme weather brings flood chaos round the world

• Africa is experiencing its worst flooding for three decades. More than one million people have been affected by flooding in 17 countries - but in particular Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso.
• Heavy rains have destroyed homes and crops and displaced cattle, leaving whole communities vulnerable, extremely short of food and exposed to health risks.

Floods in China, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Nepal have left millions of people homeless and killed thousands.
The continuous monsoon rains and cyclones have caused misery right across the continent, Nearly 3,000 people have lost their lives across Asia alone, and an estimated six million have been displaced, some of the poorest populations in the world.
WHO say ‘the safety and accessibility of drinking water are major concerns throughout the world. Health risks may arise from consumption of water contaminated with infectious agents, toxic chemicals, and radiological hazards. Improving access to safe drinking-water can result in tangible improvements to health’

World Rabies Day – Working Together to make Rabies History

Rabies is arguably the most deadly, and yet is also one of the most preventable diseases affecting human kind. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that at least 55,000 people die every year due to the rabies infection. This figure is generally assumed to be an underestimate as many of the regions affected most drastically by rabies are the regions least likely to report accurate figures.

Travellers' diarrhoea

50% of travellers get sick either whilst travelling or within the first 6 weeks of their return, usually due to travellers??™ diarrhoea. This is generally caused by human contact with food, and is particularly common in food that has been handled a lot, such as hotel buffets. There are a number of simple precautions that can be taken to minimise the occurrence of this illness, which can severely disrupt a trip:

• Avoid foods which are not served hot
• Avoid ice and drinks which are not sealed
• Use hand sanitizer if eating food you will handle yourself
• Other high-risk foods to be avoided include fish, shellfish, and salads.

The Dukoral vaccine, to prevent cholera, may also offer protection against travellers??™ diarrhoea.

It is always a good idea to take Imodium and some Oral Rehydration Salts to help to prevent dehydration.

'Flu vaccines

Have you had a flu vaccine this year? Many GP??™s will not receive any stock until mid December, due to a delay in production, this has led to an increased demand on supplies. We are finding here at The Travel Clinic that we are getting a huge increase in the sick and elderly attending for vaccination as they are unwilling to wait until their GP gets them delivered. Book now to avoid disappointment! At The Travel Clinic Ltd we can offer vaccinations on our premises or visit work places to give them if there is a large demand.

Influenza

Newsletter October 2006

Influenza is a serious illness, caused by a virus. Its symptoms include bouts of shivering, sweating, high fever, muscle aches and pains, weakness, dry cough, and extreme tiredness, and are extremely debilitating. Some individuals are at risk of serious complications. People with flu can spread the infection even before they themselves begin to feel ill.
Crowded conditions, commonly experienced while travelling, encourage spread of infection, for example those attending pilgrimages, in aircraft, waiting rooms, buses, bars, hotels and oncruises.
Travellers may wish to be vaccinated to reduce the risk of an important short trip being disrupted by an incapacitating preventable illness. Protect yourself, your children and your colleagues this year
The ???flu vaccine has been delayed this year and will not be available anywhere in the UK until late October. A single ???flu vaccine at our clinic costs ??20.
We are offering a combination of this years ???flu vaccine plus a Tamiflu??™ which is an antiviral treatment for influenza, including avian ???flu, for the exclusive price of ??110.