Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
16 July 2013 09:31
The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice on Greece after increased numbers of jellyfish were reported
Britons have been advised to be on their guard for jellyfish to ensure they enjoy a trouble-free holiday in Greece this summer.
The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has updated its travel advice for Greece following reports of an increase in the number of jellyfish blooms around the country.
Britons are being urged to keep a close eye on local advice as regards jellyfish, while of course holidaymakers will as ever be wanting to ensure they have good quality travel insurance and medical travel insurance in place whatever their destination.
The development comes after officials issued warnings about jellyfish in the Mediterranean coastal waters of France and Italy.
"We have been alerted to large numbers of jellyfish in the Mediterranean this summer, especially in a number of key holiday destinations for UK tourists," an FCO spokeswoman told BBC News.
She said the key aim is to make the FCO travel advice as useful as possible for people travelling overseas.
However, an expert in Italy told BBC News there is no need for any undue concern about the risks posed by jellyfish.
Professor Piraino, a marine biologist at the University of Salento in southern Italy, said a project known as the JellyRisk programme has been closely monitoring jellyfish activity and its impact on humans since 2009.
The expert is a project co-ordinator on the scheme and he acknowledged there has been an increase in jellyfish but the risk they pose is manageable.
"Of course, as in any other ocean or sea in the world, there might be some problems," he said.
However, he added that resorts across the Mediterranean are fortunate because the sea is not home to any deadly jellyfish.
The team behind the JellyRisk programme has developed a smartphone app enabling people to find out about jellyfish numbers in their current location.
It also provides scientific information about how to treat jellyfish stings in view of the fact the appropriate treatment depends on the species involved.
Anti-jellyfish nets are also due to be installed at several popular beaches to assess whether they are effective.
16 February 2019
Holidaymakers were left fuming after a "lack of clarity" over Brexit led a Romanian airline to cancel flights from Liverpool's John Lennon Airport.
[more...]
15 February 2019
British Airways celebrated Valentine's Day with a special flight where all members of the cabin crew were couples who work for the airline.
14 February 2019
The "concerning" level of stigma surrounding the human papilloma virus (HPV) could be putting some women off going for vital check-ups, campaigners are warning.
13 February 2019
Older people living with depression should be given better access to community activities and therapy instead of being prescribed antidepressants, researchers have urged.
12 February 2019
The Government has been criticised for failing to act on warnings about the link between processed meats and cancer, by the scientist who co-authored the original advice.
09 February 2019
A grandfather who has battled three types of cancer is cycling from Twickenham to Tokyo in time for the Rugby World Cup - all in aid of charity.
08 February 2019
Lovers of traditional fish and chips are embracing a more health-conscious version of their favourite food, a new study suggests.
07 February 2019
Two thirds of UK adults don't know they're able to lower their risk of developing dementia, new research has shown.
06 February 2019
More than 600 people a day are quitting their jobs to care for relatives, a charity has warned.
05 February 2019
Millennials in the US face an increasing risk of developing an obesity-related cancer, a new study has revealed.
02 February 2019
More than 100 people sought refuge at a pub high on Bodmin Moor overnight after heavy snowfall hit the A30, leading many stranded motorists to abandon their cars.
01 February 2019
Smokers are almost twice as likely to quit with the help of e-cigarettes than if they rely on nicotine patches or gum, a study has found.