Football fans warned about measles vaccination following major disease outbreaks in Euro 2008 host countries
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today (Wednesday) warned football fans planning to travel to this summer's Euro 2008 tournament to make sure that they have been vaccinated against measles, following major outbreaks of the disease in Austria and Switzerland, who are jointly hosting the competition.
While Ireland did not qualify for the tournament some fans may still travel and should be aware that measles is an extremely contagious and potentially fatal disease, says HPSC specialist in public health medicine, Dr Suzanne Cotter.
"These European outbreaks are a reminder of the importance of vaccination, especially for children, as it is the only safe and effective way to prevent measles from spreading. High levels of MMR vaccination are needed to protect against infection and to protect very young children - under 12 months of age - who are too young to be vaccinated.
"While measles usually occur in children under four years old, people of any age if not already protected through natural infection or vaccination, can catch the disease. Severe disease and complications are most likely in young children under five years and adults over 20 years. It is important to realise that almost half of the deaths associated with measles occur in previously healthy children and young adults.
“The European outbreaks are a timely reminder to get vaccinated. MMR uptake for Irish children at 24 months of age in Ireland currently stands at 88% - which although the highest level ever recorded here - is still short of the 95% needed to prevent the virus from circulating and causing outbreaks. MMR is usually given in childhood – the first dose at 12 -15 months and the second at 4 - 5 years of age. Both the MMR vaccine and the administration fee is free for all children. Most adults, particularly those born before 1978, are likely to have already had measles infection. However, any individual in this age group who has never had measles infection or the measles vaccine should speak with their GP about getting it prior to travel. For adults administration fees may apply,” she said.
Visitors to malaria hotspots must take necessary medication warns HPSC
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) today (Thursday) warned that people travelling to areas where malaria is common must take necessary medication, following a record number of cases of the disease in Ireland.
There has been a progressive increase in the numbers of malaria cases in Ireland over the last few years, and the latest figures show that 96 cases were notified in Ireland in 2006, more than double what was recorded the previous year, says HPSC specialist in public health medicine, Dr Paul McKeown.
"Malaria is a serious tropical disease caused by parasites that are spread by biting mosquitoes. All cases of malaria in Ireland are imported. The disease is contracted in countries where malaria is endemic or found naturally. 75% of cases in 2006 contracted the disease in Africa but fortunately there were no deaths due to malaria. Worryingly however, more than a quarter of cases were in children.
"Most people infected were visiting family members in countries where malaria is common. However, a number of cases were also seen in holidaymakers, business travellers and people arriving in Ireland for the first time. It is particularly worrying that over 95% of those who acquired malaria either did not take the necessary protective antibiotics or did not finish the course.
"People who live in areas where malaria is common often have some immunity to the disease but this quickly wears off when they move to a non-malarious country like Ireland. Unfortunately, parents returning to malarious countries to visit relatives often don't realise that their Irish born children will have no immunity at all to the disease. There is a worrying rise in the numbers of such childhood cases following travel, particularly to West Africa.
"The best defence against malaria is to avoid getting bitten by infected mosquitoes by staying away from areas where mosquitoes gather and by protecting your skin using clothing, anti-mosquito sprays and mosquito nets. However, all travellers to areas where malaria is common should check with their GP about the need to take precautions. It is crucial to take the preventive prescribed antibiotics. This is especially important for children. It is also vital to take the antibiotics exactly as prescribed by your doctor as they may need to be taken for a number of weeks after returning from the trip," he said.
Visitors to malaria-affected areas must take appropriate advice and action following travel related deaths in UK
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre today (Tuesday) warned people travelling to areas where malaria is endemic to take appropriate medical advice and anti-malarial medication following six recent UK cases, including two deaths, in people returning from the Gambia.
None of the affected people had taken appropriate anti-malarial medication, according to HPSC specialist in public health medicine, Dr Paul McKeown.
"Malaria is a common and serious tropical disease passed on to humans by mosquito bites. There have been more than 40 cases so far this year in Ireland, in people who contracted the disease abroad. There are about half a billion cases each year globally.
"There are a number of different forms of malaria; the most severe and most fatal form, which caused the UK cases, is known as falciparum malaria. The best defence against malaria is to avoid getting bitten by infected mosquitoes by staying away from areas where mosquitoes gather and by protecting your skin using clothing, anti-mosquito sprays and mosquito nets. There are also effective prophylactic medications that can be taken to prevent the development of the disease. They may have to be taken for up to seven days before you enter the area and for up to four weeks after you leave.
"Failure to take the right medication is one of the commonest reasons for developing malaria. Anyone who becomes ill during or following a visit to a country where malaria is common should seek immediate medical advice and let their doctor know about their recent travel. Doctors should be suspicious of a fever or flu-like illness in such travellers, and should assume malaria until proven otherwise.
"Anyone planning a visit to a country where malaria is common should take a course of tablets. There are few side effects and it is a small price to pay for not contracting what is a best a very unpleasant, and at worst a fatal illness," said Dr McKeown.
Details of doctors listed with the Irish Society of Travel Medicine are available on www.istm.ie
More information on protecting yourself from malaria may be found here
Holidaymakers advised of hygiene precautions as illness reported in returning travellers
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre today (Friday) advised holidaymakers to take extra hygiene precautions when travelling overseas following recent gastrointestinal illness in returning travellers.
People should take care with water and food, as they are a very common way of spreading 'travellers' diarrhoea' and other more serious forms of gastroenteritis, said HPSC specialist in public health medicine, Dr Paul McKeown.
"Travellers' diarrhoea is the most common illness contracted in parts of the world where hygiene might be a problem and occurs in up to half of travellers. It is generally a mild and self-limiting illness lasting a couple of days and appearing after the first week of a holiday.
"Holidaymakers should not spoil their break by assuming that the standards of hygiene in the countries they visit are the same as at home. They should:
Wash their hands after visiting the toilet, and always before preparing or eating food
Ensure, where practicable, that food eaten is freshly cooked and piping hot
Avoid food about which you have doubts, for example, salads or cold meats from retail outlets with questionable hygiene
Avoid food offered by street vendors
Avoid lettuce, undercooked shellfish and food exposed to flies - fruit should be eaten peeled
Check out any restaurant before you order your meal - if you are not happy with its cleanliness go somewhere else
In parts of the world where the tap water is untreated (smell for the bleachy odour of chlorine) don't drink the water or use ice in your drinks - and if you're not happy to drink the water, don't brush your teeth with it - use bottled water instead
The following are generally safe to drink:
Bottled or canned mineral water and fizzy drinks
Hot drinks
Beer and wine
"Increases in gastrointestinal illness are to be expected as more Irish people then ever take overseas holidays and Ireland's multinational population travel over and back to their countries of origin," he said.
NDSC urges travellers to take preventative measures against mosquito bites when abroad
The National Disease Surveillance Centre today (Monday) urged intending travellers to countries where mosquitoes are prevalent to take routine preventative measures against insect bites, following confirmation of West Nile Virus in two Irish travellers who returned from the Algarve in July. The initial diagnosis was made at the National Virus Reference Laboratory in UCD.
NDSC specialist in public health medicine, Dr Paul McKeown said that West Nile Virus infection is normally a very mild illness, causing severe disease in less than one per cent of individuals.
"The most severe disease is seen in those aged over 80; severe disease is virtually unknown in children. In this instance, neither traveller required hospitalisation. One individual has fully recovered while the other is getting better. Nonetheless, it is important that the public are aware of this small, potential risk when visiting any area where mosquitoes are common.
"West Nile Virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Four out of five people who are bitten will have no symptoms at all, while about 20% will develop a mild flu-like illness, with fever, headache, rash and aches and pains. Less than one per cent develop more severe disease which produces headache, high fever, stiff neck, sore eyes, disorientation, muscle weakness, convulsions and coma.
"People should enjoy their holidays as normal. The best way to protect against West Nile Virus, is to protect yourself against mosquito bites. Travellers should note that mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus are most active at dawn and dusk. Where possible, people should avoid areas near water where mosquitoes are more likely to be present. Long sleeves, long trousers, socks and closed shoes should be worn and mosquito repellents used. When indoors, screens, nets and air conditioning can reduce the possibility of mosquito bites. Taking these simple measures will also help to protect against other mosquito-borne diseases.
"Returned travellers who become ill and in need of medical attention should inform their doctor that they have been abroad. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for the disease. Mild cases recover quickly with simple symptomatic ('cold and flu') treatment. More severe cases require hospitalisation and specialised supportive treatment. The Irish public health risk is minimal as West Nile Virus is not transmitted through person to person contact," added Dr McKeown.
