Malaria figures in UK travellers for 2014

Public Health England have published 'Malaria imported into the United Kingdom: 2014.  Implications for those advising travellers' on their website this morning.  See the news item here

In 2014 there were 1586 cases of imported malaria which is 5.7% higher than in 2013.  The majority of these cases were caused by P. falciparum (1192 which was 79.4%) and there were three deaths.  There was also an increase in P.vivax  and P.ovale malaria cases.  To see the statistics see here  London continues to report the largest proportion of cases in England and the report gives details of this along with overall travel history, ethnic origin, age and sex factors etc.  The top three countries of travel for people returning with malaria were 1.Nigeria, 2 Ghana and 3. Sierra Leone.  Where a history of chemoprophylaxis was known, 82% of those patients had not taken any.  The report provides an interesting and helpful review and will provide more information than that given here so click on the image below to see.

International Resources webpage

I've created a page on my website to list all the key resources for travel health used within diffferent countries.  As you'll see when you click here or on the image below, I've started the collection but if you are looking from another country then can you help me please?  If you could e mail me through my contact page with you favoured key National resources that would be great and I'll add them to this resource.  

Vaccine Timeline Updated

The very useful historical vaccine development and introduction of vaccines in the UK chart has been updated again.  News of this was posted in the April/May 2015 edition of Vaccine Update see here.  The changes made are as follows

• DTwP/Hib vaccination was introduced in 1996
• PCV7 was introduced in 2001 and 2006
• DT3aP was introduced in 2001
• Td was introduced in 2001
• PCV13 was introduced in 2010

To see the chart click on the image below. 

You can also obtain it from the Immunisation Resources page on my wbsite along with many other useful items here

Malaria and Multiple Destination Trips

I presented a workshop at the Faculty of Travel Medicine and British Global Travel Health Association conference on this topic but for the first time delivered the session in an e learning programme format. Managed to put the programme on a platform where you can now access it.  It won't provide a certificate of learning sorry, but you can still record a reflective piece for your CPD! Hope it proves useful on a subject that people find challenging sometimes in travel health.

Click on the image below - the learning takes about 30 minutes.  

It's OK to be Smart

It’s OK to be Smart is a blog (here) and YouTube show (here).  The presenter, biologist Joe Hanson Ph.D is also the creator/host/writer of PBS Digital Studios’ where weekly science videos are posted.  A recent piece ‘Why vaccines work’ dynamically explains the purpose and value of vaccination in a style that is engaging and captivating.  Others to look out for on the search facility are ‘Ebola explained’ and ‘What’s the deadliest Animal in the World’ which focuses information on malaria.  This modern approach to education is not only fun but somewhat addictive once you start exploring the host of topics covered so consider subscribing to the postings!  Click on the image below to see the video of 'Why Vaccines Work'. 

The Health of Travellers

This document is a position paper prepared by the Executive Board of the Faculty of Travel Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and has been distributed to all the UK and Republic of Ireland Departments of Health.  The document highlights that the practice of travel medicine is unregulated and therefore could be putting holidaymakers in danger.  Health of Travellers outlines a need to have policy changes, better education and better regulation of doctors and other health professionals giving advice on travel health.  To see the publication click on the image below or here.  To see the press statement see here.

Splenectomy Information

The information leaflet and card for patients who have either no, or a poorly functioning spleen have been republished and redesigned.  The wording on the leaflets states 'People without a functioning spleen are liable to overwhelming infection including pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis. After completing the details for yourself, or on behalf of your young child, please carry this card with you at all times so that paramedics and other health professionals are aware of your or your child’s, condition, should either of you be taken ill'. 

The card has space to record the following immunisations - Pneumococcal, Hib/Men C, Men ACWY, Men B, Influenza - as recommended in Chapter 7 of the Green Book.  For details about the leaflet and patient card, see here or click on the image below.