ALC Health News

Rising medical costs have prompted more Malaysians to take up multiple health insurance policies

A recent survey with several major insurance firms shows strong demand from the working population on extending their medical cover until at least the age of 80. 

Industry experts attributed the growing demand to healthcare costs escalating at between 13% and 15% annually, longer life expectancy and more patients turning to private hospitals to avoid long queues at public hospitals.

As most employers do not provide post-retirement medical coverage, more working people aged between 25 and 50 are taking up private medical insurance policies to avoid exhausting their savings should they be stricken with a major illness.

It’s better to buy cover when healthy and to have a medical savings plan in case of a rainy day. When an insured retires, this is the age that the health condition will already have changed and treatment will be needed most, the survey adds.

An insurance consultant with AIA concurred, saying it was important to take up an insurance policy when one was in good health. “This is because you may not be able to buy it when you need it most,” he said.

SOURCE :  The Star Online

Madeleine Davies, deputy editor of Health Insurance Magazine spends a day with ALC Health

“Behind the Scenes” at ALC Health 

click here to view the full article that appears in the September edition of Health Insurance Magazine

Take a holiday. It’s good for you

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal addressed two studies that show the health benefits of planning and taking a holiday.  According to the studies, wellness factors such as health status, mood, and tension, energy and satisfaction levels all improved before and during holidays.

Unfortunately, these factors all dropped back to their original levels or lower after returning to work.  On the other hand, the studies also showed that increased happiness can come just from the anticipation of having a planned holiday in the future.

Many health benefits from holiday have been shown through studies over time.  According to a past article in the New York Times, the Framingham Heart Study, which was published in 1992, found that women who took a holiday once every six years or less were almost 8 times more likely to have a heart attack or develop heart disease than women who took at least two holidays each year.

Over 9 years, the study also followed 12,000 men who were at risk of heart disease, and the men who went on more frequent holidays lived longer.  The article also stated that even two to three days of vacation can lead to more and better quality sleep.

Taking a holiday, however, means checking out mentally, not just physically.  According to a study done by professors at Tel Aviv University, the benefits of a holiday are not the same for people who are constantly checking their work phone or email.  People who are constantly connected to work while away are more likely to experience burn out.  For your health, put the Blackberry away, pick a destination, and start planning your next holiday !

Christie Erdman

Christie Erdman, a guest contributor to the Healthy Travel blog, is a recent graduate of the University of Richmond with a degree in Economics and Marketing.  She enjoys traveling, and had the opportunity to spend a semester studying at Universita Bocconi in Milan, Italy during her junior year.

SOURCE : HTH Worldwide : Healthy Travel Blog

An outbreak of melioidosis reported from Thailand

Whilst found mostly among farmers in the northeastern part of the country, tourists to Thailand need to take care as Melioidosis is caused by a soil bacterium which enters the body through cuts or other breaks in the skin. Travelers should wear waterproof gloves and shoes or boots whenever coming into contact with soil, especially during the rainy season.

Suffering from Stress ? Try these quick fixes . . .

There are many techniques for helping to relive stress, but here are a few that you may find useful. 

Slow, deep breathing
You can quickly bring down your heart rate and blood pressure by breathing deeply and slowly. Close your eyes and concentrate on breathing in to a count of three and then out for a count of six. The slow out breath is ‘nature’s tranquiliser’. Repeat for a minute or two. 

Don’t bottle it up
Talking to family and close friends is a good way to beat stress because it helps us see the problem more clearly – it may not be as bad as we thought, and other people may have different perspectives and solutions we hadn’t considered. 

Worries? What worries?
Worrying about the ‘what ifs?’ in a situation takes a lot of time and energy, and anxiety can quickly escalate. First, find out the facts about a situation – your worries may turn out to be unfounded. If you’re still concerned, plan your strategy, with a friend if necessary, so that you feel more in control of the situation. 

Glass half-full or half-empty?
Spend more time focusing on the positive things in your life and less time thinking negatively. The more you visualise a positive outcome, the more you’ll believe it and the more likely it is to happen. 

Enjoy the process
Remember, ‘good enough’ is OK, there’s no need to be perfect every time. Learn to enjoy the process rather than worry about the result – setting a time limit on tasks provides a reality check. If you do make a mistake, learn from the experience and move on. 

Take time out
Ring-fence time in your day to unwind and reflect – it will help you recharge your batteries and get things into perspective.

Living Where it Hurts!

Living overseas as an expatriate can be an expensive experience, especially when it comes to your client’s healthcare.   According to the latest report from Xpatulator.com, the world’s most expensive city for medical care is Tokyo, closely followed by Hong Kong confirming that having the right medical insurance cover in place is more important than ever before.   The ten most expensive places to be ill.   Japan, Tokyo China, Hong Kong Kiribati, South Tarawa  Brazil, Brasilia Comores, Moroni Angola, Luanda Russia, Moscow Switzerland, Geneva Australia, Sydney Switzerland, Zurich

Before you leave don’t forget . . .

As it is the holiday season ALC Health’s Medical Director Dr Charlie Easmon has put together a guide to help you plan the perfect trip.   Vaccinations  Certain types of vaccination and preventive medicine have to be administered well in advance of your departure, so check our vaccination information to make sure you have your injections in good time. Both vaccinations and antimalarial medication depend on which countries you intend to visit and how long you will be away.  You should also ask your doctor about any side effects and how long the protection will last. Other guidelines apply in case of pregnancy.  For mandatory vaccinations, you will need to get an international vaccination card signed and stamped, and take it with you on your holiday. For yellow fever vaccine, you need to go to a World Health Organisation approved centre. You can get details of your nearest centre from your local health authority. Usually it is a local GP surgery.  Travel medicine chest  While you can’t insure against misfortune and accidents, you can foresee the minor surprises with some degree of probability. It’s always good to have something handy to relieve headache, diarrhoea and insect bites, so include such items in a first aid kit for travelling abroad.  HIV and sexually transmitted diseases are something you always have to guard against. Make sure you pack the necessary barrier contraception, i.e. condoms.  For more exotic journeys, you may need to add items such as antimalarial tablets and water sterilisation tablets to the medicine chest. The usual illnesses most holidaymakers get are not serious. But they can cause problems if you are a long way from medical help or you don’t speak the local language.  If you are planning a fairly long trip, it is often possible to get your doctor to prescribe products for the emergency treatment of everyday illnesses such as a sore throat, cystitis, colds, constipation and travellers’ diarrhoea. These ‘just-in-case’ prescriptions need to be bought privately – they can’t be issued on NHS prescriptions.  Daily medicine  You must make sure that you have enough of your usual medication for the whole trip. You should also take the name of your medicine and your doctor’s instructions with you.  Look into the medicine’s side effects and whether factors like the sun provoke them. Always keep vital medication in your hand luggage, particularly if you have diabetes and use insulin. Some medicines such as morphine products and stimulant medication have special restrictions if you want to take them abroad. For advice on your particular medicine, talk to your GP and check the Foreign Office website.  You may need to get your doctor to write an explanation in English, French or Spanish, stating that the relevant medication is for personal use. For further information, read Crossing borders with medicines at www.netdoctor.co.uk.  Sunblock cream  However lovely it may be to feel the warm rays of the sun on your body, close encounters can be deadly. It isn’t that difficult to enjoy the sun in a safe, healthy way. The rule is simple: always use a sunscreen with a high protection factor (SPF).  Follow these guidelines, and you can enjoy the sun with a clear conscience.  Insurance UK residents are entitled to free or subsidised healthcare when visiting countries in the EU, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You need to have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to be covered. You can get these free of charge by: Applying online through the EHIC website http://www.ehic.org.uk Picking up an application form from the Post Office. Each member of your family needs a card. You can also apply for a card for your partner and children up to the age of 16 (or 19 if they are in full-time education) at the same time. You will need to provide a name, date of birth and national insurance number for each person. The EHIC replaces the old E111 forms, which are no longer valid.   Always take out private medical travel insurance too, read the exclusions carefully. The insurance should pay for all or part of your treatment in all countries and repatriate you if necessary (costs without insurance would be thousands of pounds).  Your travel checklist  Here’s a list to help you remember essential items for a stress-free holiday.  Health     Travel insurance and proof of health insurance. Vaccines and updated international vaccination card. Travel medicine chest: painkillers plus products for diarrhoea, insect bites, travel sickness, sunburn and infection. First aid kit: plasters, bandages, tweezers and scissors. Insect spray or other mosquito repellent. Sunblock cream. Your daily medicine. Contraception.   General  Driving licence. Money and travellers’ cheques. Passports. Check the expiry date and whether you have appropriate visas. Copy of passport, driving licence, travellers’ cheques and travel insurance to be carried separately from the originals. Travel information and maps. Register with the FCO LOCATE service (www.fco.gov.uk) – let them know where you are and when.

Dr Easmon’s Health News

Why the return to work after the holidays should include 2 days for email clearing….   Rest and sleep are both regarded as good for us. Too much of each can be a bad thing but how much is enough?  Mrs Thatcher was famous for only needing 4 hours sleep but most of us need a lot more than that to function. Some workaholics function very well – being busy all the time.  Some people on family holiday check their blackberries and argue that this is LESS stressful than NOT doing so. If we assume the standard UK holiday allocation is enough for most people you would wonder how on earth the Americans manage on so little (sometimes only one week per year).  However, travel itself can be stressful and sometime sour arrangements can only lead to disaster.  Two recent cases of drivers falling asleep whilst tired overseas illustrate this. In my day as a medical evacuation doctor I became convinced that many a heart attack was caused by the 3 am arrival and the unfit man lugging a heavy suitcase up the steps to the apartment in Spain! One concern I have for many people is that they dread their last day of holiday. Why? Because they know they will come back to hundreds or sometimes thousands of emails.  In my opinion employers need to adapt to this obvious fact and allow the first 1-2 days back for clearing up the backlog.  The stress caused by not having such a system is barely bearable for many people. My advice is enjoy the holiday and plan well, rest properly during the holiday, get insured and be safe.

Focus on….France

Andrew Apps writes  On the face of it there is little difference between the quality of private or public medical care in hospitals in France.  Being treated in private clinics in France does not mean avoiding waiting lists for the simple reason that, with a few specific exceptions, waiting lists do not exist. And going private does not mean you will have to foot the entire bill.  For anyone working in France, mandatory participation in the state system is funded through employment contributions, or in some cases paid directly by an individual household through the universal medical coverage program (CMU).  This is set at a rate of 8% of combined net income above a threshold and is revised quarterly (EUR 8,744 through 30 September 2009, then EUR 9,020 to 30 September 2010). The French state healthcare system is considered to be one of the best in the world.  However it is not entirely free to residents as it generally only 70% of medical charges are covered requiring the individual to purchase a supplemental or what is often referred to as a “top-up” insurance to cover the balance. French law does not currently allow for medical policies that supplement or fully take the place of the coverage provided by the state to which residents of more than 90 days are eligible. Retiree expat residents of France, whilst typically exempt from making contributions to the state system, often look to take out a basic additional expatriate medical insurance policy.  Most prefer insurance that will provide them not only with cover in France, but the option to seek treatment outside of the country, more often than not in their home country so that they can be close to family and friends should the need arise.  ALC Health’s PRIMA Premier and Classic plans offer a comprehensive range of flexible benefits to meet the demands of expatriates living both in France and worldwide. But for those for whom the traditional expatriate medical insurance programme is perhaps not appropriate, be it in terms of cost or simple scope of cover, who are looking for a low cost alternative to those offered through local providers, ALC Health has developed the PRIMA Europa plan. If you have clients who are located in France PRIMA Europe is designed to provide a package of out-patient benefits that cover private GP fees, medication, routine check-ups and specialist medical treatment.  PRIMA Europa compliments and works alongside the French Healthcare system and in addition to these already useful benefits, now offers cover for routine eye tests, prescription glasses, hearing tests, dental treatment and preventative screening for men and women to cater for ongoing health and wellbeing. The in-patient benefits provide valuable cover for non-urgent treatment and less serious medical conditions, at a realistic premium, and is exclusively available to residents of France.  To find out more, call ALC Health on + 44 1903 817970 or e-mail us at sales@alchealth.com

ALC Health Turns Techno

ALC Health is now posting regular medical updates on its blog at http://www.alchealth.com/blog.     We will adding up to date health and expatriate news so please do visit the pages where you can share the information with clients, colleagues or friends, set up an RSS feed or even make a comment ALC Health now has a page on Facebook and Twitter where we also post the news from our blog so if you prefer you can follow at http://www.twitter.com/ALCHealth or click on the links on our website. It’s worth bearing in mind that expats around the world are now using web technology to correspond with friends and family and for many expats using sites such as Facebook and Twitter as one of their main forms of communication alongside Skype and email.

Rabies reported in Bali

Fresh cases of rabies continue to be reported from Bali.

The outbreak has been caused by bites from infected dogs. Travelers should avoid touching all animals, including pet dogs and cats and wild animals such as monkeys.

Rabies vaccine is recommended for travelers at risk for animal bites.

SOURCE : mdtravelhealth.com

Leptospirosis in Malaysia

An increase in leptospirosis has been reported from Malaysia. Leptospirosis is acquired by exposure to water contaminated by the urine of infected animals. Travelers should avoid exposure to lakes, rivers, and other bodies of fresh water.

SOURCE : mdtravelhealth.com

Expatraite numbers fall in Russia

The recent crisis has pushed upward of 30% of expats working in Russia back to their respective countries. Their numbers are on the decline – and many are choosing not come to Russia.

Russia for foreigners has always been a country of perceived risk – but it has always been a risk with potentially huge rewards. Big salaries and low taxation have been a draw for many.

In addition, Russia is a relatively undiscovered country for people in the West and offers a sense of adventure. Although, Luc Jones, Partner at Antal Russia says that sense of strangeness works both ways.

“In Russia there is very much the concept of expat and local we are now seeing in central and eastern Europe much less of this. Because, if an American works in the UK or a German works in Italy – this isn’t an expat – this is just somebody working in a different country and I think eventually that will happen here.”

The recent crisis spelt the end for many expats working in Russia as local companies cut costs by letting go high paid staff. With the recovery has come renewed demand for outside expertise and the ability to pay for it.

But head hunters caution against the idea that foreign is necessarily better.

“On the whole, I am a little bit skeptical about how successful foreigners have been when working for Russian companies, because far too often they are brought in for window dressing purposes, you know, ‘Hey, we’ve got this guy, let’s wheel him out for the investors because he’s got a big name’ “

Clearly it’s a question of hiring the best person for the job. But Russia presents its own set of challenges for business, where George Abdushelishvili, Senior Partner at Ward Howell local knowledge is often of paramount importance.

“The vast majority of expatriates are not great as general managers, as CEOs of corporations, not because they are bad, but because the state dominates. GR (government relations) as a function is vital here, so you shouldn’t hire expatriates for this difficult role. As first deputy, heading up marketing, heading up operations – Russians cannot concentrate on details, expatriates can and in those businesses where competition is high and margins are low, expatriates are great.”

Russia isn’t such a unique and unknown place and many approaches to conducting business are familiar. The key to its appeal is that there is still so much to do and accomplish – something that foreigners from a saturated and developed West sense – and want to be a part of. 

SOURCE : www.RT.COM Russian Business

Beware Counterfeit Medicines : WHO report

Counterfeit medicines are found everywhere in the world. They range from random mixtures of harmful toxic substances to inactive, ineffective preparations. Some contain a declared, active ingredient and look so similar to the genuine product that they deceive health professionals as well as patients. But in every case, the source of a counterfeit medicine is unknown and its content unreliable. Counterfeit medicines are always illegal. They can result in treatment failure or even death. Eliminating them is a considerable public health challenge reports the World Health Organisation (WHO).

BUT defining the extent of counterfeiting is difficult. Counterfeiting is greatest in regions where regulatory and enforcement systems for medicines are weakest. In most industrialized countries with effective regulatory systems and market control (i.e. Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, most of the European Union and the United States of America), incidence of counterfeit medicines is extremely low – less than 1% of market value according to the estimates of the countries concerned. But in many African countries, and in parts of Asia, Latin America, and countries in transition, a much higher percentage of the medicines on sale may be counterfeit.

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs275/en/index.html

Avoiding Jet Lag – Things you should know

Jet lag is the curse of modern jet travel, but it doesn´t have to spoil your trip.

Pre-flight

This is one of the most important aspects of combating jet lag. Before departing, make sure you have all your affairs, business and personal, in order. Ensure you are not stressed-out with excitement or worry, and not tired or hungover from a function the night before. Get plenty of exercise in the days prior to departure and try to avoid sickness such as the flu, colds and so on. If you have a cold, flying will probably make it worse – ideally you should delay the trip. Get a good night’s sleep just prior to departure.

East or west?

There is much debate about whether it is better to fly eastward or westward. It may be largely a matter of personal preference, but there is some evidence that flying westwards causes less jet lag than flying eastwards.

Night or day flight?

Again it is largely a matter of personal preference based on experience. Most travelers think daytime flights cause less jet lag. We note that more daytime long haul flights are being added by major airlines.

Drinking fluids

The dry air in aircraft causes dehydration. Drinking plenty of non-alcoholic fluids counters this. Water is better than coffee, tea and fruit juices. Alcohol not only is useless in combating dehydration, but has a markedly greater intoxicating effect when drunk in the rarefied atmosphere of an airliner than it does at ground level.

Sleeping aids

Blindfolds, ear plugs, neckrests and blow-up pillows are all useful in helping you get quality sleep while flying. Kick your shoes off to ease pressure on the feet (some airlines provide soft sock-like slippers, and many experienced travellers carry their own).

Exercise

Get as much exercise as you can. Walking up and down the aisle, standing for spells, and doing small twisting and stretching exercises in your seat all help to reduce discomfort, especially swelling of legs and feet. Get off the plane if possible at stopovers, and do some exercises or take a walk. This also helps to reduce the possibility of blood clots and associated trauma.

Showers

During extended stopovers on a longhaul flight, showers are sometimes available. A shower not only freshens you up but gets the muscles and circulation going again and makes you feel much better for the rest of the flight. Trans-Pacific pilots have told us taking a shower in Hawaii helps them recover more quickly from the general effects of jet lag after the flight.

Melatonin

This is a controversial and complex treatment for jet lag involving the manipulation of a hormone in the body, starting in the days preceding travel. Research shows that if you miscalculate the right time to take it, melatonin will actually make jet lag worse! And for research that casts doubt on whether melatonin does counter jet lag

Anti jet lag diet

Another complicated method is the anti jet lag diet. Like melatonin, this is for people with lots of time on their hands who can devote several days before and after a trip to preparing. Although it has some passionate devotees it is complicated and there is little evidence that it works.

Sleeping pills (don’t!)

Some people use sleeping tablets to try to alleviate jet lag. This is a dangerous approach as sleeping pills induce a comatose state with little or no natural body movement, and it is well known that prolonged immobility during flight can lead to fatal blood clots (deep vein thrombosis). This was reported as far back as 1988 in the Lancet, which said it was estimated “that over three years at Heathrow Airport, 18% of the 61 sudden deaths in long distance passengers were caused by clots in the lungs.” Picture the leg veins as bags of blood. When this blood doesn’t circulate there is a risk that it will clot. In addition, many so-called sleeping pills are variants on anti-histamines and they tend to dehydrate significantly, adding to the already significant problem of in-flight dehydration

Dubai : No deportation for expats with ‘hepatitis B’

New expatriate workers who are found to have Hepatitis B when they undergo their medical test will not be deported but will be given treatment, according to the Ministry of Health.

Resident expatriates will not be asked to undergo the test for Hepatitis B, while tests for Hepatitis C will no longer be needed under the new rules.

Those already in the UAE also will not have to undergo tests for TB. New arrivals will be tested only for pulmonary TB and those having the disease will not be granted a residence visa.

Dr Mahmoud Fikri, executive director of health policies, told the media that the new rules are to protect both the people and the society and make UAE a disease-free place to live.

Earlier, Dr Hanif Hassan, Minister of Health, said the changes in the medical checkup system for expatriates will cover any gaps in the system, specially with the growing number of foreign workers coming into the country.

He said the ministry plans to increase the number of medical centres if needed.

Those tested positive for Hepatitis B will have to take three doses of vaccinations and show proof that they have taken them. Workers have to show the vaccination certificate at the time of renewal of the visa. The first dose of vaccination will cost Dh 50 and the two others are free of charge, the minister said.

The category of workers, which include nannies, housemaids, nursery and KG supervisors, beauticians and barbers, health club workers, and food handlers, will have to undergo tests for Hepatitis B and also for syphilis. Treatment will given for syphilis, Dr Fikri said and the person will not be deported.

Women workers, specially maids, nannies and drivers, will be asked to undergo a pregnancy test.

In case the test is found positive, it is left to the sponsor to either allow her to work or send her back home.

All expatriates coming to the UAE for work, studying or residence have to undergo medical tests.

Tests for Aids, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, is still mandatory for new arrivals or resident expatriates at the time of renewal of the resident visa.

SOURCE : GULF News

Malaria – be prepared and know what to do

Malaria is a serious and occasionally fatal disease. It is caused by a parasite which is spread to humans by infected mosquitoes. One species of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, can in some cases cause very severe illness and may even lead to death. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine currently available against malaria.

If travelling to any of these areas, you may be at risk.

• Areas in South and Central America as well as the Caribbean including parts of Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti

• Limited areas in the Middle East and Eastern Europe

• Large areas of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and some parts of East Asia

• Most of sub-Saharan Africa and limited areas in Northern Africa; most malaria cases and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa

• Papua New Guinea and other small islands in the South Pacific/Oceania region

Risk can change based on season (rainy/dry), location (rural/urban), and altitude.

Things to think about before you go . . . .

Consult a doctor, nurse or health care provider, or visit a travel health clinic at least six weeks before you travel.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites and discuss the benefits of taking anti-malarial medication with a health care provider before departure

• Discuss your risks with a health care provider, at least six weeks before travel, to determine whether to take antimalarial medication and which one to take.

• Antimalarial medication is very effective but does not protect 100% therefore travellers should always follow protective measures to avoid mosquito bites.

Know the symptoms of malaria and see a health care provider if they develop.

• Seek medical attention immediately if a fever arises during or after travel (even for up to many months after your return) to regions at risk of malaria.

• Be sure to tell your health care provider that you have travelled to a region where malaria is present.

SOURCE : PHAC

Polio outbreak reported in Angola and Tajikistan

The Ministry of Health in Angola has reported 15 cases of polio since the beginning of 2010.  Cases have been reported from previously polio-free provinces of Bie, Bengo, Huambo, Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul, and one case in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which borders Angola.

Since January 2010, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tajikistan has reported 430 cases of polio, 19 of which were fatal.  This is the first outbreak since the region was certified polio-free in 2002

SOURC : WHO

Dengue fatalities rise in Philippines : Measles outbreak hits Kudarat village

Local health authorities placed a community in Palimbang town in Sultan Kudarat under quarantine following a measles outbreak that already downed at least 70 children in the area.

Palimbang Mayor Abubakar Maulana said personnel from the Department of Health (DoH) and the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Health Office sealed off a portion of Barangay Poblacion in a bid to control the spread of the virus that caused the disease.

“The outbreak has so far slowed down and our health personnel are working double time to stop it from further spreading,” he said.

Maulana said they initially monitored the outbreak late last week and confirmed at least 47 cases last Monday.

He said the number of confirmed measles infection rose to at least 70 cases during the last three days but they have not recorded any casualties so far.

“I think the problem is now almost solved and we expect the patients to fully recover within the next few days,” the mayor said.

Meanwhile, the local health department in Zamboanga City Friday admitted that cases of dengue continue to increase as it has already claimed 20 lives, mostly children in the City of Flowers.

In Midsayap, North Cotabato, four more kids died of dengue, increasing the death toll to 11 of the highly preventable killer disease in North Cotabato this year.

Seven more dengue cases were reported in the province in July, according to the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU).

The Zamboanga City Health Office has recorded the highest number of dengue cases in July with 428 – a figure which had almost led health officials here to declare an outbreak of the disease.

Almost all hospitals in Zamboanga City are filled with patients mostly experiencing dengue symptoms, City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos said Friday.

As this developed, Agbulos warned local residents that if nothing is done in the household level, cases of dengue will continue to rise during this rainy season.

Agbulos reminded local residents to help in the fight against dengue “for this is a concern not only of the local officials and the health office but rather a concern of every Zamboangueño.”

“Let us not wait for the city to declare a dengue outbreak before we act. We have to put our acts together in order to fight this health menace by giving it a share in the maintenance of cleanliness in their respective surroundings,” Agbulos appealed.

SOURCE : NONOY E. LACSON, PNA

Cholera confirmed in flood hit Pakistan

THE United Nations has confirmed at least one case of cholera in flood-hit Pakistan and is stepping up efforts to treat people suffering from acute watery diarrhoea, a spokesman said Saturday.

 ”There has been at least one cholera confirmed case in Mingora,” said Maurizio Giuliano, spokesman for the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs, referring to the main town in the northwestern district of Swat.

“Given that there are concerns about cholera, which is a very deadly disease, what we’ve started to do instead of testing them for cholera is to treat everyone for cholera.”

Mr Giuliano said at least 36,000 people are reportedly suffering from acute watery diarrhoea.

“We’re not suggesting that everyone who has acute watery diarrhoea has cholera, but cholera is certainly a concern and that’s why we’re stepping up our efforts to treat cholera,” he said.

Pakistan says 14 to 20 million people face direct or indirect harm as a result of unprecedented floods that have triggered the country’s worst humanitarian disaster.

The UN believes 1600 people have died, while Islamabad has confirmed 1384 deaths.

H1N1 pandemic over – or maybe not !

The pronouncement last week by WHO Director General Margaret Chan that the H1N1 pandemic is officially over apparently ignores the latest reports from India.  Health officials in the world’s second most populous nation say that the number of new H1N1 cases for the week of August 2-8 reached a new peak for the current season with 942 cases resulting in 83 deaths, writes Dr Frank Gillingham of HTH Worldwide.

One of India’s leading health officials stated “Many would say the virus has now settled down to replace the seasonal influenza strain. But there is no doubt that H1N1 continues to infect Indians in large numbers. A majority of those who died were pregnant women and the elderly — the vulnerable group.”  The state of Maharashtra saw the most victims, recording 400 confirmed cases and 51 deaths. Karnataka was second with 200 cases and 12 casualties, while Andhra Pradesh, with 105 cases and six deaths, was third. Overall, India has been one of the countries hit hardest by the H1N1 virus, with nearly 37,000 cases and 1,833 deaths since the outbreak began in May of last year. To put these numbers into perspective, seasonal flu historically has a death rate of 1 per 1,000. Worldwide the H1N1 virus has killed nearly 1 in 100. In India, H1N1 has killed about 1 in 50.

WHO’s Chan has responded to criticism that her announcement was premature, saying “Based on experience with past pandemics, we expect the H1N1 virus to take on the behavior of a seasonal influenza virus and continue to circulate for some years to come.” She added that isolated outbreaks are likely to occur, given the extreme virulence of the virus.  Others have pointed out that the H1N1 virus may not have finished mutating, and could become even more deadly over the next several years.

As HTB reported earlier, millions of H1N1 vaccine doses have expired and already been destroyed, with millions more set to expire over the next few months.  The reports from India should remind us that although the pandemic may have faded, the virus has not.  The Centers for Disease Control indicates that the 2010-2011 seasonal flu vaccine scheduled for shipment next month will include immunization to the 2009 strain of the H1N1 virus. Anyone travelling overseas not previously immunized against H1N1 should avail themselves of the seasonal flu vaccine.

SOURCE: The Healthy Travel Blog, sponsored by HTH Worldwide

It’s expensive to be an Expatriate

Living overseas as an expatriate can be an expensive experience, especially when it comes to your health.

According to the latest report from Xpatulator.com, the world’s most expensive city for medical care is now Tokyo, closely followed by Hong Kong confirming that having the right medical insurance cover in place is more important than ever before.

The ten most expensive places to be ill.

1    Japan, Tokyo
2    China, Hong Kong
3    Kiribati, South Tarawa
4    Brazil, Brasilia
5    Comores, Moroni
6    Angola, Luanda
7    Russia, Moscow
8    Switzerland, Geneva
9    Australia, Sydney
10 Switzerland, Zurich

Off to the Caribbean ? Beware of Dengue Fever

Major outbreaks of dengue fever, a flu-like illness sometimes complicated by hemorrhage or shock, have been reported from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and other Caribbean islands. Travelers should apply insect repellent and keep themselves covered to prevent mosquito bites, which transmit the disease.

SOURCE : mdtravelhealth.com

Chikungunya fever hits India

Cases of Chikungunya fever continue to be reported from India, most recently Karnataka and Maharashtra. Chikungunya fever is a viral infection, transmitted by mosquito bites, which causes fever and joint pains. Travelers should apply insect repellent and keep themselves covered to prevent mosquito bites.

West Nile virus reported in Greece

An outbreak of West Nile virus infections has been reported from Greek Central Macedonia. All travelers to Central Macedonia should protect themselves from mosquito bites by applying insect repellent and keeping themselves covered.

Britons prefer to retire abroad

Britons are the least likely to retire at home, according to a new survey revealing that more than half of us plan to desert the UK in favour of a sunnier climate. Better weather and a fiesta lifestyle have obvious appeal, but does this come with any nasty surprises ?asks Chiara Cavaglieri.

Only 43 per cent of Britons see the UK as their preferred retirement location, according to survey of more than 7,500 European workers. In contrast, the vast majority of Spanish workers, 87 per cent, intend to retire in their home country, followed by 81 per cent of French workers. Spain is a firm favourite for British retirees with almost one in four picking it as their preferred retirement destination. In second place came the US, with Australasia and France filling the next two places.

While the benefits of retiring in another country often speak for themselves, the dangers may not be so obvious. In some instances, many living costs will be lower but these savings can quickly be swamped by increased healthcare costs and unexpected tax bills. One of the biggest challenges British expats face is currency exchange. If the main source of your income is in sterling, its strength, or lack of it, will have a big impact on your standard of living.

Failing to investigate exactly what type of healthcare is available to foreign residents is another mistake expats often make. Although many countries operate a national health service, these won’t necessarily cover the total cost of healthcare. There are so many variables affecting your entitlement – how long you’ve been living there, whether you’re pre or post retirement. Every individual is different so we advise everyone to investigate what their own entitlement is.

Kuwait : expats expected to have to pay for own PCR medical tests

The Ministry of Health is expected to approve a proposal on requiring expatriates to pay for the PCR medical test soon, reports Al-Shahid daily quoting sources.

Sources have affirmed Health Minister Dr Hilal Al-Sayer has instructed Undersecretary Dr Ibrahim Al-Abdulhadi to take the necessary measures for the implementation of the proposal, which is still under study but it is expected to be approved soon

SOURCE : Arab Times

US & European Countries issue warning against non-essential travel to Moscow region.

The failure to contain the fires around Moscow has spawned a wave of concern that the conflagration may yet spread to the Bryansk region in western Russia where the soil is still contaminated by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. It’s not clear that the fires will produce radioactive smoke, but fears remain.

Russian authorities are also worried about the fires around the city of Sarov in central Russia which houses the country’s main nuclear research center.  Satellite images have shown the fires are easily visible from space, and NASA has said the smoke has at times reached over six miles into the atmosphere.

This situation has led the United States, France, Germany and other European countries to issue travel warnings discouraging all non essential travel to the region. 

Russian officials are advising residents to stay inside their homes, hang wet blankets in rooms to catch dust particles, wear masks and rinse out noses and throats as much as possible, and leave the area if suffering from a chronic lung disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For additional tips and resources, visit hthbusiness.

Visitors to Moscow and environs should check with embassy staff to learn the latest on the availability of flights and the advisability of other modes of transit

SOURCE: The Healthy Travel Blog, sponsored by HTH Worldwide

Beware of the Spanish Jellyfish

Sightings rolled in this week that the number of swimmers on Spain’s Costa Blanca reporting jellyfish stings has leaped from a typical five to nearly 400 per day.

Marine scientists do not expect these numbers to drop soon or the trend to reverse. Fishing boats are working to haul large masses of the creatures away from swimmers, and the Spanish government is taking steps to educate beach goers to the risk of stings and the art of post-sting care. But as long as water temperatures continue to warm and excessive numbers of natural jellyfish predators are pulled from the waters, there is no sure way to stem the wave of stinging blobs.

Jellyfish can pop up anywhere so whether you’re at the Jersey Shore or the Costa Blanca, be aware of who is sharing the ocean with you.

SOURCE: The Healthy Travel Blog, sponsored by HTH Worldwide

Why return to work after the holidays should include 2 days for email-clearing!

Rest and sleep are both regarded as good for us.  Too much of each can be a bad thing but how much is enough?  Mrs Thatcher was famous for only needing 4 hours sleep but most of us need a lot more than that to function. Some workaholics function very well being busy all the time.  Some people on family holiday check their blackberries and argue that this is LESS stressful than NOT doing so, writes Dr Charlie Easmon.

If we assume the standard UK holiday allocation is enough for most people you would wonder how on earth the Americans manage on so little (sometimes only one week per year).  However, travel itself can be stressful and sometime sour arrangements can only lead to disaster.  Two recent cases of drivers falling asleep whilst tired overseas illustrate this.

In my day as a medical evacuation doctor I became convinced that many a heart attack was caused by the 3 am arrival and the unfit man lugging a heavy suitcase up the steps to the apartment in Spain!

One concern I have for many people is that they dread their last day of holiday. Why? Because they know they will come back to hundreds or sometimes thousands of emails.  In my opinion employers need to adapt to this obvious fact and allow the first 1-2 days back for clearing up the back-log.  The stress caused by not having such a system is barely bearable for many people.

My advice is enjoy the holiday but plan well, allow proper rest within the holiday, get insured and be safe. 

SOURCE : Dr Charlie Easmon is ALC Health’s Medical Director