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12 September 2011 13:47
Smoke rises from a marsh fire in New Orleans
Britons with asthma travelling to eastern New Orleans have been warned about the effects of smoke from a marsh fire following air quality concerns.
The areas is being closely monitored by Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which has declared an "air quality precaution" to handle the situation.
The smoke alert is now covering towns 100 miles from New Orleans as the levels of particulate matter 2.5 - particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter - have significantly increased.
This highlights the need for adequate medical travel insurance that covers expenses for pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma while travelling to New Orleans.
DEQ officials have urged people to cancel outdoor activities because of smoke which has spread across the area increasing possible health issues.
Rodney Mallett, from DEQ said: "Air monitors in the New Orleans area have had readings of particulate matter ranging from normal to unhealthy, according to the Air Quality Index scale. These readings vary from location to location because of wind direction."
Mr Mallett said the pollution from smoke is at "orange level", which is unhealthy for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly and people suffering from respiratory diseases.
He also said smoke that shrouded the city on Monday was so bad they had to issue a "red level" alert, which is considered unhealthy for everyone.
22 September 2017
A new computer code that can be applied to GP surgery data could be the answer to identifying those most at risk of developing bowel cancer.
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21 September 2017
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a warning over a growing resistance to antibiotics.
20 September 2017
Thousands of Ryanair flights have been cancelled over the next six weeks, as the airline says it "messed up" allocation of its pilots' annual leave.
19 September 2017
Manchester's Girlguides are being urged to help the elderly with a new badge incentivising youngsters to tackle senior loneliness.
16 September 2017
Holidaymakers are being evacuated as winds up to 200km per hour hit Central Vietnam, with Typhoon Doksuri damaging houses, roads and infrastructure.
15 September 2017
People in parts of East Anglia are eight times more likely to survive liver disease than Blackpool residents, according to new data by Public Health England (PHE).
14 September 2017
A non-invasive alternative to gastric bypass surgery that helps people with Type 2 diabetes lose weight is being recommended for widespread use by NHS experts.
13 September 2017
Almost half of UK adults travelling to areas at risk of malaria are not covering themselves by taking medication, despite recommendations made by the NHS and world health organisations.
12 September 2017
A new health warning has been issued by scientists in Sweden, suggesting e-cigarettes with nicotine could lead to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
09 September 2017
Researchers have developed a futuristic pen-like device that can tell whether someone has cancer much faster than current technology.
08 September 2017
A staffing crisis in the NHS is seeing cancer patients turned away from their GP surgery and instead visiting A&E, a report has claimed.
07 September 2017
Whether it's binge-watching box-sets, shopping for clothes, chatting to friends or picking up work emails, staying connected is pretty much essential to everyday life.