Saturday, November 23, 2024

Doctor’s travel warning as cases of two deadly infections skyrocket

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Brits are being warned to take specific precautions before travelling abroad amid a steep rise in two potentially dangerous diseases. Doctor Shreya Singhal, shared her recommendations for staying safe on holiday this year in a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) update. Her advice comes as the latest figures have shown a rise in measles and malaria, illnesses that can both prove fatal if not caught early.

Firstly, Dr Singhal urged people to make sure they are up to date with vaccinations to protect you and your family from measles as well as other risky diseases. “It is vital to ensure you are up to date with your vaccinations before you travel, both for your protection and for the benefit of the health of those around you,” she said.




“Many countries have different diseases circulating and some of these could potentially be dangerous. It’s possible to pick up an illness that we don’t routinely see in the UK, and important to remember that some can have serious consequences for vulnerable people.”

She continued: “The measles virus is currently circulating in the UK and it is even more common in some parts of Africa, Asia and mainland Europe, so please check that you and your family are up to date with your MMR vaccines.”

Diagnoses of measles have seen a sharp uptick in the UK this year. As per data from UKHSA, there have been 1,767 lab-confirmed cases of measles nationwide in 2024 so far. This is almost five times the amount of cases reported for the whole of 2023, when there were 362.

Dr Singhal said: “The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is normally given in childhood, but if you or anyone in your family has not had the MMR, you can catch up at any time.

“The MMR is available to all adults and children who are not up to date with their two doses. It is essential that you take both doses – finishing the full course offers lifetime protection from measles for most people.”

Initial symptoms of measles can be easily mistaken for a cold or flu and include a fever, a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, a cough and red, watery eyes. The affected person might then display tiny white spots on the inside of their cheeks, followed by a rash on the body.

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