Pertussis ( Whooping Cough) in Australia

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Jane Bell RGN

Over the past 3 years there have been a large number of outbreaks of pertussis in Australia. In 2011 37,880 cases were reported, an increase of more than 3000 from those reported in 2010.  In 2011 most cases have occurred in four states:New South Wales(12,930),Queensland(8,819),Victoria(8,568) andWestern Australia(3,763). [1]. The Western Australian Health Authority is warning that the state may be facing an epidemic.

 

What is whooping cough?

Whooping cough is a highly infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella Pertussis. Transmission is through the respiratory route and symptoms include: severe coughing spells, breathing difficulties, vomiting and sleep disturbance.

Sussex Travel Clinic has been having some enquiries from concerned travellers who are concerned either because of risk of contracting pertussis themselves or because, if infected, they may put young children at risk. (e.g. grandparents visiting new grandchildren who are not  yet vaccinated)

In the UK children under the age of 10 are routinely immunised against pertussis. Adults and those over the age of 10 are not routinely offered boosters, although some countries, Australia included, do offer a booster dose to adolescence as part of their immunisation programme.

Immunity following infection or vaccination against pertussis wanes over time and there is no test to check immunity.

Advice for Travellers

  •  Evidence of immunisation against pertussis is not an entry requirement forAustralia
  • If you are travelling with children make sure that they are up to date with all of their routineUKimmunisations.
  • If you are going to do medical work inAustraliayou may be required to produce evidence of pertussis immunisation- speak to your employer before you travel.
  • If you are likely to have close contact with children less than 12 months of age and you are not immune practice routine respiratory precautions such as good hand hygiene and avoiding persons known to be infected.
  • Adult boosters of pertussis vaccine are not recommended for theUK. [2]. If you are planning a long stay trip to risk areas you should consider receiving a pertussis-containing vaccine formulated for adults and adolescents at your destination.

To discuss this further please call our nurses on 01273 749100.

References

  1. http://www.nathnac.org/pro/clinical_updates/pertussis_au_130112.htm
  2. http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/australasia–pacific/australia.aspx
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Sussex Travel Clinic – Results of our Annual Customer Survey

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Jane Bell RGN

Sussex Travel Clinic carried out our annual client survey during February 2012.

Here are the results.

Over a 2 week  period 68% of all clients seen  completed a survey form.

100% of our clients would recommend our service to a friend.

87% rated the expertise of our staff as excellent.

86% rated the overall service as excellent.

 

 What can we do to improve our service?

 1 client said they found it difficult to get through on the telephone.

 Our response.

Our phones lines are answered during the following times:  Monday to Friday 9 am till 5 pm and till 7 pm on a Monday and Thursday, 10 – 1 pm on a Saturday. Unfortunately, during our busy periods it may be difficult to get through. To address this Sussex Travel Clinic now offers an online booking service and hopes that this will reduce the amount of call volume through the clinic.

 Comments

 ‘ Very efficient staff, no complaints’

 ‘ Very kind and helpful staff’

 ‘ Very polite and helpful staff’

 ‘ Your service has been extremely useful and supportive re: my travel plans and queries. I cannot think of any improvements’

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FCO Locate- Staying Save on your Travels

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Jane Bell RGN

If you are planning a trip abroad it is a good idea to register with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) LOCATE service. Registraion is simple and free. Your details will be saved so that you can simply log in and change your details for future trips.

The FCO Locate service is for British nationals only. If you are planning on travelling abroad, even for a short trip, register your details so that in the event of an emergency such as a terrorist attack or tsunami, British embassy staff will be better equipped to offer you assistance.

Benefits of registering with LOCATE?

  • in the event of  a major catastrophe the FCO will have an instant record of your details. They will be able to make contact and offer assistance.
  • if  your family and friends need to get in touch with you , FCO can help them to find you.
  • the simple registration process means it only takes a few minutes to register your travel or residence information  and the local British Embassy will know you are coming. You do not need to contact embassies directly.
  • you only need to register once. Any future trips can then be updated by logging in to your account. You can register planned trips up to a year ahead of travel.
  • LOCATE improves the FCO’s ability to provide help in an emergency and reduce delay and worry in times of stress for family and friends at home.

Before you travel.

When planning a trip abroad it is important to plan so that you have a safe and healthy trip. Things to consider include:

  • Make sure you have had any necessary vaccinations.
  • Make sure you have malaria tablets if they are required for your trip.
  • Don’t travel without insurance and make sure it covers you for all activites you wish to do on your trip.
  • Get any VISA’s that may be requied for the countries you plan to visit.
  • Check that you passport is in date. Some countires require that your passport is valid for six months after the date of travel.
  • Make a note or a secure online copy of your passport number and any other important documents.
  • Driving abroad- make sure you take your driving license and make yourself aware of any driving laws in the country you are visiting.

To book travel vaccinations or discuss malaria requirements call 01273 749100 or book online.

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Food and Water Hygiene – Avoiding Traveller’s Diarrhoea

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Jane Bell RGN

Traveller’s diarrhoea (TD) can be very unpleasant and ruin a holiday or business trip. It is estimated that as many as 60% of all travellers will experience a bout of TD when they travel overseas. Many illnesses such as Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Cholera are spread through eating and drinking contaminated food and water. Thankfully, there are vaccinations that can offer some protection against these illnesses. However, many other bacterial infections such as E.Coli and parasites such as Giardia cannot be vaccinated against. It is extremely important to follow strict food and water hygiene to avoid infection.

 

Advice for Travellers

  • Drink bottled water. Beware of fake bottled water- in many countries seals have been tampered with and the bottle actually contains unsafe tap water.
  • Avoid ice in your drinks, unless you are sure it has come from a safe supply of water.
  • Don’t clean your teeth with tap water- use bottled or boiled water.
  • Boiled water is safe to drink- bringing water to the boil and boiling for 1 minute is enough to purify it.
  • Use chlorine tablets or a water filter if you haven’t got access to clean drinking water.
  • Avoid salads that may have been washed in unsafe water.
  • Avoid raw fruit and vegetables- these are ok if you can peel them.
  • Avoid buffet food that may have been left out for a number of hours or been exposed to flies.
  • Avoid unpasteurised dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese.
  • Always wash your hands well before you eat and if you don’t have access to washing facilities carry an alcohol hand gel.
  • Avoid street food, unless it is cooked freshly in front of you.
  • Don’t assume food served in a 5* hotel will be safe- staff may not have practiced strict food. Water and personal hygiene.

Prevention

Bimuno is a pre- biotic powder or pastille that can keep your tummy healthy on a trip abroad. Clinical studies have shown it to be effective in reducing your risk of TD. It works by sustaining a healthy level of good bacteria in the gut, helping to prevent bad bacteria from becoming established.

Ask your nurse about water purification products – Bimuno, Chlorine Tablets and Water Filters or purchase online in our shop.

 

 

 

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Avoiding Mosquito Bites

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Jane Bell RGN

Mosquitoes are the vector of malaria which is spread at night. They also spread other diseases such as; Dengue fever, Yellow fever, Japanese B encephalitis, St Louis encephalitis and Bancrofti and Filariasis. Some of these diseases are spread by daytime biting mosquitos. The best advice is to avoid mosquito bites.

Insect Bite Avoidance

  •  To avoid bites wear clothing that covers as much of the body as possible.
  •  Wear long-sleeved clothing and long trousers when going out at night.
  •  Protect feet with appropriate footwear.
  •  Use insect repellents on exposed skin.
  •  Insect repellents are available in various forms and concentrations.
  •  Many skin preparations are available, mostly containing di- ethyltoluamide  (DEET)
  • For those allergic to DEET, alternatives include Lifesystems Natural repellent.
  • Use a mosquito net when sleeping in unscreened accommodation. Mosquito nets should be impregnated with a long lasting insecticide. It can be helpful to practice erecting nets before departure.
  • Use air conditioning in your hotel room, if available.
  • If possible, avoid going out between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes spreading malaria commonly bite.
  • Use anti-mosquito insecticide dispensers (mains or battery operated that contain tablets impregnated with pyrethroids or burn pyrethroid mosquito coils in bedrooms at night) Electronic buzzer’s do not work.

MALARIA – REMEMBER MALARIA CAN BE A FATAL ILLNESS

It is essential to complete your course of malaria tablets to get full protection. Keep taking them when you get home as prescribed.

Initial symptoms of malaria can often be mild, difficult to recognise and can be confused with flu. If you develop flu-like symptoms once you return home, seek medical advice immediately and tell them you have recently returned from a malaria- risk zone. This will enable a speedy diagnosis and could potentially save your life.

We stock a full range of mosquito nets, insect repellents and other travel related equipment – ask your nurse for more details.

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