Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
26 April 2012 08:54
Vaccinations and medical travel insurance are vital with measles back on the agenda
Health authorities have reported that there were four times more cases and outbreaks of measles than usual in the United States last year.
The highly infectious illness appears to be making an unexpected comeback, with 222 cases and 17 outbreaks recorded in 2011 compared with an annual average of just 60 cases and four outbreaks over the past decade.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention in America is said to have received reports of 27 cases of measles so far in 2012 but Dr Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, says it is too early to tell how bad the situation will be this year.
"In 2011, we had the most number of reported measles in the US in 15 years," she said.
"It is too soon in the year to know whether this year will be as bad or worse than last year."
Measles had been declared eliminated in the United States in 2000 after public health measures successfully interrupted the transmission of disease from person-to-person.
However, despite a high vaccination rate of 90%in the country, the disease is still endemic in many other parts of the world and has now returned to the US, making it an important medical travel insurance issue again.
"Measles is extremely infectious and very good at finding those few people who aren't vaccinated," warned Dr Schuchat.
22 February 2019
Just half an hour of exercise every morning could be as effective as drugs at lowering daily blood pressure, research suggests.
[more...]
21 February 2019
A British man accidentally used the wrong passport to fly from Prague to the UK, leaving his friend stranded in the Czech capital.
19 February 2019
Hundreds of passengers have had their travel plans cancelled following the collapse of airline flybmi.
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.
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.