We are NOT authorized by Govt of India for Yellow Fever Vaccination

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Travel News – Current status Rabies in Bali, Indonesia


Current update: July 19, 2012

What is the Current Situation?
An outbreak of rabies in dogs began in Bali, Indonesia, in November 2008. More than 100 people have died from rabies in Bali since the outbreak began. Human and animal rabies cases were confirmed near popular tourist destinations throughout the island during the outbreak. Efforts have been made to control the outbreak, including vaccinating dogs for rabies. These efforts have substantially reduced the number of cases associated with the outbreak on the island.
What is Rabies?
Rabies is a rapidly progressing virus that causes death. It is almost always spread by an animal bite but can also be spread when a rabid animal’s saliva gets directly into the eyes, nose, mouth, or broken skin. The primary sources of human infection worldwide are dogs and certain wildlife species, such as foxes, raccoons, mongooses, and bats. Read “How can travelers protect themselves” for more information.
Each year throughout the world, rabies kills approximately 50,000 people, mostly children. The risk of rabies from domestic animals is low for people in the United States. For people who travel to other parts of the world, the risk of rabies may be higher.
How can Travelers Protect themselves?
Consider rabies vaccine.
If your activities will bring you into contact with animals such as dogs, cats, bats, or other carnivores, you should consider pre-exposure rabies vaccination, which is a three-shot series (days 0, 7, and 21 or 28) given before travel.
Even if you receive pre-exposure vaccination, you will still need immediate medical treatment if you are bitten or scratched by an animal.
Avoid animal bites.
Avoid touching all animals, including wild animals and pets. Pets in other countries do not always vaccinate against rabies.
Resist the urge to rescue animals with the intent to bring them home to the United States. Dogs and cats may be infected with rabies but not show signs until several days or weeks after you first encounter them.
Supervise children closely, especially around dogs, cats, and wildlife such as monkeys. This is important since children are more likely to be bitten by animals, may not report the bite, and may have more severe injuries from animal bites.
If you are traveling with your pet, supervise your pet closely and do not allow it to play with local animals, especially strays.
Act quickly if an animal bites or scratches you.
Wash the wound well with soap and water.
See a doctor right away, even if you don’t feel sick or your wound is not serious. To prevent rabies, you may need to start a series of vaccinations immediately.
To get vaccinated, be prepared to travel back to the United States or to another area. (Adequate vaccination for exposure to rabies is not available in all parts of the world.)
After you return home, tell your doctor or state health department that you were bitten or scratched during travel.
For more information about rabies and travel, see the following resources:
Rabies chapter of the book CDC Health Information for International Travel 2012
CDC’s Rabies homepage

Monday, July 16, 2012

WHO Western Pacific Region: Dengue situation , update July 13, 2012


Dengue activity is variable. While Australia, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia and Philippines have reported more cases in 2012 than 2011 for the same time period, the trend is declining in Australia and Philippines, and remains overall low in Malaysia and Singapore.
 
Cambodia continues to see high activity and activity has also been increasing in Lao PDR.
 
Detailed information on the recent weekly or monthly trend in the reported number of cases:
Australia: 1 049 cases up to 30 June in 2012; 486 cases reported for the same time period in 2011. Number of reported cases has been decreasing since Jan 2012.
Cambodia: 11 037 cases (45 deaths; CFR 0.4%) up to 19 June in 2012 with sustained high and increasing activity compared to historic seasonal baseline; 3 183 cases (16 deaths; CFR 0.5%) in 2011 for the same time period.
Lao PDR: 1 638 cases (3 deaths; CFR 0.2%) up to 30 June in 2012; 899 cases in 2011 for the same time period. The numbers of cases for the last 4 weeks were above historic average for the last 5 years.
Malaysia: 11 430 cases (22 deaths; CFR 0.2%) up to 23 June in 2012 with continuing low activity; 9 879 cases (15 deaths; CFR 0.2%) in 2011 for the same time period. Number of cases has remained low.
Philippines: 34 232 cases up to 9 June in 2012 with recent increase in activity; 32 238 cases in 2011 for the same time period.
Singapore: 1 982 cases up to 30 June in 2012. The weekly number of cases has been increasing during the last 3 weeks. 2 325 cases reported in 2011 for the same time period.
Viet Nam: 18 052 cases (9 deaths) up to 31 May in 2012, which is 13% higher compared to the same period in 2011 (16 004 cases [12 deaths]).
 

Comments: It is imperative that all International travelers talk to a travel physician or visit their nearest travel clinic before embarking on these journeys. They would be best geared to help alert travelers regarding latest disease outbreaks / epidemics.
In India, TravelSafe Clinic is the first & only multi-city branded, ISO certified travel clinic that is a member of most elite International travel organizations like ISTM, BGTHA, ASTMH, IAMAT and we would be happy to assist you in all your travel health needs and International vaccinations including Yellow Fever. Please contact us for any further questions.

Friday, July 13, 2012

WHO / Cambodia / Severe complications of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) / conclusion of the joint investigation


The investigation into the illnesses and deaths in Cambodia, which mainly affected very young children, concluded that a severe form of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) was the cause in the majority of cases reported to the Ministry of Health.
 
The investigation revealed that most of the cases were under 3 years of age, from 14 different provinces, with some suffering from chronic conditions. A significant number of cases had been treated with steroids at some point during their illness. Steroid use has been shown to worsen the condition of patients with EV-71.
The Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and partners, which included Institut Pasteur du Cambodge and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conducted the investigation following reports from Kantha Bopha Children’s hospital of unusual numbers of illness and deaths among children hospitalised since April 2012.
In response to this event, health centers have been instructed by the Ministry of Health to report all patients with HFMD. In addition, the Ministry of Health, assisted by WHO, has begun enhanced surveillance for neuro-respiratory syndrome, a key syndrome observed among patients with severe HFMD caused by EV-71. It is expected that the enhanced surveillance will identify occasional new cases of the severe form of the disease in the coming months.
In addition, the Ministry of Health is developing guidelines and training courses for staff to manage patients with mild and severe forms of HFMD.
 
A campaign to raise awareness on the prevention, identification and care of children with HFMD is underway.
 
World Health Organization: Global Alert and Response (GAR) , July 13, 2012

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Where can I get Yellow Fever Vaccination in Bangalore (Bengaluru) ?


I have gotten a few queries regarding Yellow Fever Vaccination Center in Bangalore. Since this is not mentioned in the list of government centers in India that appears on many websites, I am posting the details here
Bengaluru (Kamataka State, India):
Public Health Institute (Opposite: S.J.Polytechnique college),
Near Atria Hotel/ K.R Circle, Bangalore-560001, Kamataka state, India.
Telephone Number from India: 080-22210248 (very near to Maharani College).
Days: Wednesday or next working day, if it is a Government Holiday.
Note:
(1) At Public Health Institute in Bengaluru, you need to register your name at least a day or two
advance by phone.
(2) Please carry your (i) Original passport (as the passport number is to be entered in the yellow card
and register).
(ii) One 2 ml Disposable Syringe (No. 24 gauze).
(iii) Yellow fever booklet (if you have got from recognized travel agency if not, will be provided at
PHI.
(iv) Fees ofRs. 400-00 (Rupees Four hundred) only, for which a receipt will be issued.
(v) Vaccination will be given only for a group of 10 people as it contains 10 doses or else it is not
possible for them to open a vial for one or two persons.

Source

Comment: In my opinion the main problems are two fold. It is inconvenient since the center is open only once a week. No one answers the phone usually, so you are never really sure if you would actually be able to get the injection if you are coming from a far off place.
The use of multi-dose vial, and the use of a generic non standard Yellow Fever vaccine are other issues that you need to be aware of.
Unfortunately, I am not aware of any private centers doing the same in Bengaluru.
Any feedback from people taking the vaccination at this (or any other center) would be appreciated