Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
October 14, 2007
Caribbean on dengue fever alert
Chris Haslam
Latin America and the Caribbean are facing one of the worst outbreaks of dengue fever in decades � but some UK tour operators seem unaware of the increased danger their clients are facing.
The Pan American Health Organisation has warned that cases of the mosquito-borne illness, nicknamed ?breakbone fever? for its agonising symptoms, could reach epidemic proportions this winter. The US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention have issued a dengue-outbreak notice for destinations including Mexico, Brazil, Guadeloupe and Martinique.
In the Dominican Republic, 5,400 people have been hospitalised and up to 60 new cases are being reported every day. Health authorities in Puerto Rico and Jamaica have issued alerts, and the government of St Lucia warns that, although there has been no reported case of dengue on the island, advisers believe that current conditions can sustain a dengue epidemic.
So far this year, 630,356 cases of the disease have been reported across Latin America and the Caribbean � 11% more than in the whole of 2006. The flu-like symptoms include severe pain in joints and behind the eyes. Most victims recover after a few days, but 12,147 have developed haemorrhagic fever � internal and external bleeding � and 183 have died.
The Pan American Health Organisation warns that warm, wet conditions this winter, caused by the climatic aberration known as La Ni?a, could push total cases over 1m.
Yet some tour operators seemed not to be aware of the seriousness of the situation. When questioned by The Sunday Times, Thomas Cook admitted it had not heard about the epidemic, and had thus issued no warnings or advice to travellers. ?We advise customers to consult the Foreign Office website,? it said.
Thomson told us it was a matter for health and safety, which had been outsourced to a separate firm: at the time of going to press, it was unable to tell us what action had been taken. Kuoni said: ?We constantly monitor the situation with regard to dengue fever, and should it become necessary to take further precautions, we would certainly do this.?
?There is no vaccine and no cure for dengue fever,? says Dr Ron Behrens, of London?s Hospital for Tropical Diseases. ?About 5% of those infected go on to develop either haemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome � both are extremely serious and require hospitalisation.
?Travellers should take precautions against being bitten, using insect repellent day and night, and check that hotels provide mosquito nets.?
http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/article2642753.ece
Caribbean on dengue fever alert
Chris Haslam
Latin America and the Caribbean are facing one of the worst outbreaks of dengue fever in decades � but some UK tour operators seem unaware of the increased danger their clients are facing.
The Pan American Health Organisation has warned that cases of the mosquito-borne illness, nicknamed ?breakbone fever? for its agonising symptoms, could reach epidemic proportions this winter. The US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention have issued a dengue-outbreak notice for destinations including Mexico, Brazil, Guadeloupe and Martinique.
In the Dominican Republic, 5,400 people have been hospitalised and up to 60 new cases are being reported every day. Health authorities in Puerto Rico and Jamaica have issued alerts, and the government of St Lucia warns that, although there has been no reported case of dengue on the island, advisers believe that current conditions can sustain a dengue epidemic.
So far this year, 630,356 cases of the disease have been reported across Latin America and the Caribbean � 11% more than in the whole of 2006. The flu-like symptoms include severe pain in joints and behind the eyes. Most victims recover after a few days, but 12,147 have developed haemorrhagic fever � internal and external bleeding � and 183 have died.
The Pan American Health Organisation warns that warm, wet conditions this winter, caused by the climatic aberration known as La Ni?a, could push total cases over 1m.
Yet some tour operators seemed not to be aware of the seriousness of the situation. When questioned by The Sunday Times, Thomas Cook admitted it had not heard about the epidemic, and had thus issued no warnings or advice to travellers. ?We advise customers to consult the Foreign Office website,? it said.
Thomson told us it was a matter for health and safety, which had been outsourced to a separate firm: at the time of going to press, it was unable to tell us what action had been taken. Kuoni said: ?We constantly monitor the situation with regard to dengue fever, and should it become necessary to take further precautions, we would certainly do this.?
?There is no vaccine and no cure for dengue fever,? says Dr Ron Behrens, of London?s Hospital for Tropical Diseases. ?About 5% of those infected go on to develop either haemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome � both are extremely serious and require hospitalisation.
?Travellers should take precautions against being bitten, using insect repellent day and night, and check that hotels provide mosquito nets.?
http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/article2642753.ece
