ALC Health News and views from across the Globe

There have been moments over the last couple of years when we tiptoed right up to the edge of global hysteria over the so-called Avian or Bird Flu. The various strains of the virus – H1N1 two years ago, H5N1 now – are so powerful that there was concern that they could sweep through the population at an uncontrollable pace. Obviously, that has not happened, which is reason for optimism. And now, here’s another reason to think the virus might not live up to the hype. In a blog post at CNN, Stephanie Smith  writes that new data from the World Health Organization indicates the death rate of those infected with H5N1 isn’t nearly what was initially thought. WHO data suggests that when H5N1 jumps to humans, odds are that the person will die – of 586 people infected by H5N1 thus far, according to WHO data, 346 died. But hold on a second – researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine conducted a study of other studies, and it indicates that there have likely been millions of people infected with the Bird Flu, but the overwhelming majority of them have not experienced any flu-like symptoms. If that’s true, it appears H5N1 isn’t nearly as deadly as most of us have feared. More >

SOURCE : HTH Worldwide Healthytravelbog.com

The IHR National Focal Point in Indonesia has notified the ‘World Health Organisation’ (WHO) of one new case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus.

The case was a 12 year-old male from Badung, Bali. He had onset of symptoms on 11 February 2012 and was admitted to a private clinic on 16 February 2012. His condition continued to worsen, resulting in severe difficulty breathing.  He was referred to an avian influenza referral hospital on 20 February 2012 where he died on 21 February 2012.

Epidemiological investigation into the source of infection indicated contact with poultry, though no poultry deaths within the household or neighborhood have been reported. The risk factors are still under investigation.

Of the 186 cases confirmed since 2005 in Indonesia, 154 have been fatal.

The Ministry of Health and Population of Egypt has notified WHO of a new case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus.‪

The case is a one year-old female from Gharbeia governorate. She developed symptoms on 14 February 2012 and was admitted to a hospital on 15 February 2012, where she received oseltamivir treatment upon admission. She is in good medical condition.

Epidemiological investigation into the source of infection is ongoing.  Preliminary investigations indicate presence of backyard poultry in her area of residence.

The case was confirmed by the Central Public Health Laboratories; a National Influenza Center of the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network.

Of the 160 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 55 have been fatal

An outbreak of melioidosis, caused by a soil bacterium, has been reported from  the Northern Territory. Travelers are advised to wear waterproof gloves and  shoes or boots whenever coming into contact with soil in this area, especially  during the rainy season.

Prognosis

Without access to appropriate antibiotics (principally ceftazidime or meropenem), the septicemic form of melioidosis has a mortality rate that exceeds 90%. With appropriate antibiotics, the mortality rate is about 10% for uncomplicated cases but up to 80% for cases with bacteraemia or severe sepsis. Response to appropriate antibiotic treatment is slow with the average duration of fever following treatment being 5–9 days.

Recurrence occurs in 10 to 20% of patients. While molecular studies have established that the majority of recurrences are due to the original infecting strain, a significant proportion of recurrences (perhaps up to a quarter) in endemic areas may be due to reinfection, particularly after 2 years. Risk factors include severity of disease (patients with positive blood cultures or multifocal disease have a higher risk of relapse), choice of antibiotic for eradication therapy (doxycycline monotherapy and fluoroquinolone therapy are not as effective), poor compliance with eradication therapy and duration of eradication therapy less than 8 weeks.

Prevention

Person-to-person transmission is exceedingly unusual; and patients with melioidosis should not be considered contagious.  In endemic areas, people (rice-paddy farmers in particular) are warned to avoid contact with soil, mud and surface water where possible. Case clusters have been described following flooding and cyclones and probably relate to exposure. Other case clusters have related to contamination of drinking water supplies. Populations

An outbreak of rubella (German measles) has been reported from Salaj, Romania.
Signs and symptoms

Rash of rubella on skin of child’s back. Distribution is similar to that of measles but the lesions are less intensely red.
After an incubation period of 14–21 days, German measles causes symptoms that are similar to the flu. The primary symptom of rubella virus infection is the appearance of a rash (exanthem) on the face which spreads to the trunk and limbs and usually fades after three days (that is why it is often referred to as three-day measles). The facial rash usually clears as it spreads to other parts of the body.

Other symptoms include low grade fever, swollen glands (sub occipital & posterior cervical lymphadenopathy), joint pains, headache and conjunctivitis. The swollen glands or lymph nodes can persist for up to a week and the fever rarely rises above 38 oC (100.4 oF). The rash of German measles is typically pink or light red. The rash causes itching and often lasts for about three days. The rash disappears after a few days with no staining or peeling of the skin. When the rash clears up, the skin might shed in very small flakes where the rash covered it. Forchheimer’s sign occurs in 20% of cases, and is characterized by small, red papules on the area of the soft palate.

Rubella can affect anyone of any age and is generally a mild disease, rare in infants or those over the age of 40. The older the person is the more severe the symptoms are likely to be. Up to two-thirds of older girls or women experience joint pain or arthritic type symptoms with rubella. The virus is contracted through the respiratory tract and has an incubation period of 2 to 3 weeks. During this incubation period, the patient is contagious typically for about one week before he develops a rash and for about one week thereafter.

ALC Health reports

The case was a 26 year-old pregnant female from Soc Trang province. She developed symptoms on 23 January 2012, and was admitted to hospital on 25 January. She was treated with Oseltamivir on 27 January, she died on 28 January. Confirmatory test results for influenza A (H5N1) were obtained on 30 January by Pasteur Institute, the WHO National Influenza Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. Samples from the newborn infant of the fatal case tested negative for H5N1.

The case had slaughtered and eaten sick chickens. MoH, the local health sector and Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City are conducting epidemiological investigation and strengthening surveillance and response activities. Close contacts of the fatal case have received prophylaxis and are being monitored; to date all remain well. The Department of Animal Health is collaborating with the human health sector.

The case is the 121st person in Viet Nam to become infected with the H5N1 virus. To date, 61 of these cases have died from complications of the disease. ALC Health reports.

Two cases of Lassa fever have been reported from Rivers state, in the extreme
south of Nigeria.

An outbreak of Bolivian hemorrhagic fever has been reported from Beni department. The disease is transmitted by exposure to infected rodents.

A case of African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) has been reported in a
German traveler. Travelers should keep themselves covered and avoid areas known
to harbor tsetse flies, which transmit the disease. Repellents are not
effective.

An outbreak of typhoid fever has been reported from Zimbabwe, related to poor
sanitation and a deteriorating sewage system. Typhoid vaccine is recommended for
all travelers.

Expats who are happier living abroad are potentially healthier, according to experts. Happiness has been linked to longevity and a decreased risk of certain diseases reports expathealth.org.

Researchers say expats who have the opportunity to socialise are better able to adjust. If you combine socialising with doing something you love do you hold the key to happiness abroad?

A recent survey by Lloyds TSB International and the Daily Telegraph said 68% of 1,000 Brits polled claimed they were happier abroad than at home. This figure rose in some areas, with 75.9% of expats in Spain being happier than at home.

Chris Marshall, expat writer for the Telegraph, said he and his wife are lucky enough to be able to “do something we both care passionately about” while living in Spain.

“People who have a purpose or something to do in their lives abroad tend to be happier than those who don’t. Those who are doing something they are passionate about are the happiest.”

All this happiness can only be beneficial to our health. A study in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being has revealed that happy people tend to live longer and be healthier than their counterparts. The long-term study found that general negativity, anxiety, stress and depression lead to an increased risk of disease and a shorter lifespan.

Some expats cited enjoying the free things, like great weather and trips to the beach, as making their lives happier. From the survey it seems that it isn’t just one thing that contributes to an expat’s happiness. Perhaps financial stability is a factor, but so is quality of life. Expats who move for financial or career reasons may sacrifice quality of life and therefore their overall happiness.

We can see expat happiness isn’t based on one factor but an all round package. Clearly doing something you love and occupying your time fully will mean a better chance of you being happier abroad.

ALC Helath SOURCE : www.expathealth.org

ALC Health in the trading style of à la carte healthcare limited and offers a comprehensive a range of flexible international health medical and travel insurance programmes for expatriates, individuals, companies and groups worldwide.

Evidence suggests that children who suffer sun damage at a young age have a higher risk of developing melanoma later in life reports Bryony Ashcroft. A group of scientists at the National CancerInstitute in Maryland found that young mice, whose skin was engineered to mimic human skin, developed melanoma as adults when exposed to UV radiation as young mice MORE >

ALC Health SOURCE : www.expathealth.org

It’s no secret that a lot of people have switched to a gluten-free diet, whether or not they have Celiac Disease. The benefits are great for many people, but there’s a question that can be a significant obstacle for gluten-free dieters who want to venture beyond the outskirts of town.

Most people assume that you can’t. They assume that the restaurant in Rome is going to fill your plate with pasta no matter how vehemently you tell them you’re intolleranza al glutin. But fear not; there are plenty of resources to help you stay gluten-free all around the globe.

Most people who maintain a gluten-free diet know which foods to avoid and which foods to ask for. When traveling to a foreign country, it’s simply a matter of being a little more vigilant and prepared so that you can relax and enjoy. More >

SOURCE : HTH Worldwide Healthytravelblog.com

An outbreak of Legionnaires’s disease has been reported among travelers who
stayed at an unidentified hotel in Calpe, Costa Blanca. Any traveler to Calpe
who develops fever, cough, or trouble breathing should seek immediate medical
attention

Legionnaires’ disease in Spain – 01/21/2012

An outbreak of Legionnaires’s disease has been reported among travelers who
stayed at an unidentified hotel in Calpe, Costa Blanca. Any traveler to Calpe
who develops fever, cough, or trouble breathing should seek immediate medical
attention.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Kingdom of Cambodia has announced a confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus.

The case was a 2 year-old male from Banteay Meanchey Province. He developed symptoms on 3 January 2012 and was admitted to hospital on 9 January 2012. He is on Tamiflu and has been ventilated.

There have been reports that the boy was exposed to sick poultry in his village. He is the 19th person in Cambodia to become infected with the H5N1 virus; to date, 16 of these cases have died from complications of the disease.

The National and local Rapid Response Teams (RRT) are conducting outbreak investigation and response following the national protocol. Hospital staff who had contact with the case have been offered oseltamivir. To date, none of the human contacts have tested positive for A (H5N1).

18 January 2012 -The Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Kingdom of Cambodia has announced that the case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus reported in the Disease Outbreak News posting of 16 January 2012 died on 18 January 2012.

The boy is the 19th person in Cambodia to become infected with the H5N1 virus; to date, 17 of these cases have died from complications of the disease.

SOURCE : World Health Organisation (WHO) – ALC Health News

In March 2010, Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP) silicone implants were withdrawn from the European Union (EU) market following an observed increase in implant ruptures, and confirmation of the use of substandard silicone in the manufacture of the implants by French regulator AFSSAPS (Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits de Santé). Regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions were also notified, leading to product withdrawal from a number of non-EU countries. PIP implants have also been sold under the trade name of M-Implants and in April 2010 the Dutch Health Care Inspectorate prohibited all trade and usage of both products in the Netherlands.

On 23 December 2011, the French authorities published a recommendation that French residents with PIP breast implants should consider having these removed as a preventive measure. Following this, other national health authorities have issued their own recommendations that have ranged from preventive removal of PIP silicone breast implants, to close monitoring and follow up of persons with these implants.

Adverse events of approved breast implants include implant rupture and leakage. While the rupture rate of PIP prostheses was observed to be higher than expected in France, rates reported by other national authorities vary.

Testing of PIP implants carried out by AFSSAPS found that the quality of implants varied, therefore increasing the risk of rupture. AFSSAPS also found that the gel containing non-approved silicone was an irritant to tissue, and when leaking could give rise to inflammation and pain.

More information is needed about the risks associated with these implants and how they compare with other implants on the market, and on product distribution, use and surveillance.

PIP and M-Implants silicone breast prostheses have been distributed to many countries around the world. Both standard and substandard silicone has been used to produce PIP implants.

Persons with PIP or M-Implant prostheses should consult their doctor or surgeon if they suspect rupture, have pain or inflammation or any other concerns. Affected persons and physicians should take note of their national health authority recommendations and act accordingly. It is, furthermore, important to consider strengthening adverse event reporting of medical devices.

SOURCE : World Health Organisation – ALC Health News

Specific recommendations by national regulatory authorities can be found at the following websites (listed by country):

• Argentina
• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Chile
• China
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Ecuador
• Estonia
• France – Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits de Santé (AFSSAPS)
• France – Ministère en charge de la santé
• France – AFSSAPS Nouvelles recommandations de suivi des femmes porteuses d’implants PIP
• Germany
• Hungary
• Italy
• Ireland
• Japan
• Malaysia
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Peru
• Portugal
• Spain
• United Kingdom

There have been demonstrations and rallies in a number of Nigerian towns and cities against the removal of the petrol price subsidy, which took effect on 1 January 2012. Some of these have resulted in clashes between the police and demonstrators, with fatalities reported. You are advised to avoid all such demonstrations

• A number of curfews are being enforced. In the city of Kano, a curfew is in force between 18:00 and 08:00, following protests. In the city of Kaduna a curfew was put in place at 21:00 on 10 January and will continue (although it was lifted for a short while on the afternoon of 12 January).  On 11 January a 24 hour curfew was put in place in Niger state. During this time of heightened tension we advise British citizens in Kano, Kaduna and Niger state to stay inside and restrict movements to an absolute minimum.
• In Abuja protests are presently limited to two main areas: the Berger roundabout and the junction of IBB Way and Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent. In Lagos the main concentration of protests have been the Lekki-Epe Expressway; Third Mainland Bridge; the areas around Falomo Bridge in Ikoyi; Awolowo Road in Ikoyi; Tafawa Balewa Square and environs; Oiota and the roads near and routes to the airport. In both Abuja and Lagos however, demonstrations have and may continue to take place in other areas. Visitors to all parts of Nigeria should follow standing advice to avoid large gatherings.
• Nigeria’s two main trade unions, the Trade Union Congress and the Nigeria Labour Congress, have called an indefinite general strike, starting from Monday 9 January 2012, to protest against the removal of the subsidy.  The declared aim of the strike is to close all offices, airports and seaports, banks, markets and petrol stations.
• Flight schedules have been disrupted by the general strike, even though international flights to and from Lagos and Abuja have operated in recent days, you should check with your airline ahead of any travel to, from or within Nigeria, and are urged to make contingency plans in the case of disrupted travel. You are advised to check your insurance policy to determine cover in the case of a strike. It remains possible that there may be disruption to ground services at the airports, or on main roads between airports and cities, which in turn may cause airlines to cancel flights. There is also limited availability of public transport or taxis between airports and city centres. If you intend to fly, you should carefully consider whether you can safely travel to and from airports in Nigeria. Domestic flights in Nigeria have been grounded as a result of the strike. All airlines have confirmed that if there are disruptions to flights, they will inform passengers about cancellations and rescheduled flights. Non-essential journeys by British officials to and from airports in Lagos have been suspended for the time being.
• As part of their strike announcement, the trade unions have advised people to stock up on food and water, and also warned that banks and petrol stations will be closed.  You may wish to consider stocking up on food, water, fuel and cash before Monday.  Should political tensions mount, we advise you to keep a low profile, stay alert to local developments, and stay away from areas of sensitivity, including large gatherings of people.
• A significant number of our staff in Lagos have been unable to get to work due to the general strike. As a result the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos is unable to offer routine consular services for the time being. We regret that we cannot currently process applications for passports, or for naturalisation or registration as a British Citizen. We will continue to offer support in cases requiring genuine emergency assistance.
• On 31 December, following the recent bombings claimed by the Islamist group, Boko Haram, the Nigerian Government declared a State of Emergency in some areas of the country. The State of Emergency covers the following: Five Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Borno State – Maiduguri, Gamboru-Ngala, Banki-Bame, Biu, Jere; Five LGAs in Yobe State – Damaturu, Geidam, Potiskum, Buniyadi-Gujiba, Gasua-Bade; Four LGAs in Plateau State – Jos North, Jos South, Barkin-Ladi, Riyom; Suleja LGA in Niger State (which includes Madalla). The exact ramifications of the state of emergency remain unclear but it is reported that the international borders of these states have been closed.
• There is a high threat from terrorism in Nigeria.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places such as markets, hotels, shopping centres, places of worship and other areas frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  Government and security institutions as well as international organisations have been attacked by Boko Haram.
• 25 December 2011 A series of bomb attacks took place in Nigeria on two churches in Madalla (Niger State) and Jos (Plateau State) resulting in a reported 32 deaths and many other injured. Three separate attacks also took place in northern Yobe State which left four other people dead. The Islamist group, Boko Haram, has claimed responsibility. Reprisal attacks cannot be ruled out so extreme vigilance is advised especially in the Jos area.
• December 2011 has also seen an increase in terrorist incidents in Kano State. We advise extra caution and vigilance in the region.
• Localised outbreaks of civil unrest can occur at short notice.  You are advised to avoid large crowds, demonstrations and obvious political gatherings.  Trouble on the streets can be spontaneous, and can quickly lead to violence.  Details and advice are circulated via the British High Commission’s Community Liaison Officers’ network.  We advise British nationals staying in Nigeria for three months or more to register with the British High Commission.
• There is a threat of kidnapping throughout Nigeria. Westerners have been the target of kidnaps. On 12 May 2011, a British national was kidnapped alongside an Italian national in Kebbi State.
• In recent months the Movement of the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has threatened to carry out attacks on oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta. The latest such threat was issued on 6 June 2011.
• Curfews are used on a regular basis in Nigeria following incidents and unrest, and can be imposed with short notice.  You should be aware and take notice of any curfews. We advise that you pay attention to local media to find out about curfews that are being enforced.
• SOURCE : Foreign & Commonwealth Office 13 Jan 2012

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth office have advised against all travel to the Preah Vihear (Khaoi Pra Viharn in Thai) temple area and the Ta Krabey/Ta Moan temple area located on the Thai-Cambodian border due to the presence of troops in the area and the risk of outbreaks of fighting.

Remain alert to the local situation when travelling in other border regions and at land crossings between Thailand and Cambodia.

The FCO also advise against all but essential travel to the provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla on the Thai-Malaysia border.

• Large areas of central, northern and eastern Thailand were affected by flooding between September and December 2011. The National Travel Health Network and Centre has issued advice and information about the possible increased risk from illness and disease in areas that have been affected by flooding. Contact your GP for further advice and information before travelling.
• It is not uncommon for political demonstrations to take place in Thailand, including in central Bangkok. You should avoid demonstrations and any other protests.
• By law, you must carry your passport with you at all times in Thailand. Tourists have been arrested because they were unable to produce their passport.
• There is a high threat of terrorism. Bomb and grenade attacks have been indiscriminate, including in places visited by expatriates and foreign travellers. Sporadic attacks continue in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. There were reports that bombs were defused in three locations on the outskirts of east Bangkok on 16 December 2011 and there was a bomb scare in the Phra Nakon area of Bangkok on 6 December 2011. Exercise caution, especially in the cities of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani.

SOURCE : FCO – ALC Health Global Medical Insurance

11 January 2012 -The Ministry of Health of Indonesia has announced one new confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus.

The case is a 23 year-old male from Jakarta Province. He developed symptoms on 31 December 2011, was admitted to hospital on 6 January 2012 and died on 7 January 2012.

An epidemiological investigation conducted by the Ministry of Health and local health officers indicated that he raised pigeons, and there was a sick pigeon he nursed that subsequently died.

Laboratory tests have confirmed infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus. Of the 183 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 151 have been fatal.

SOURCE : World Heath Organisation . ALC Health Global Medical Insurance

In response to international criticism, with much of it coming from the United States, the Chinese government announced on Friday that it would initiate stricter air pollution standards for Beijing by the end of the month.  Residents of Beijing, foreigners and natives alike, have long complained that the Chinese government routinely understates the severity of the problem, with many relying on the United States embassy’s official figures instead.

Under the more “U.S. like” standards, Beijing officials will begin reporting on the level of tiny floating particles — 2.5 micrometers in diameter or less, known as PM 2.5 — that doctors warn can more easily settle in the lungs and cause respiratory problems and other illnesses.  China has only reported on the levels of much larger particles—10 micrometers or more. MORE >

Source : HTH Worldwide Healthytravelbog.com  ALC Health Global Health Insurance

One of the ways in which traveling can impact your life is to improve your overall mental health. Research has shown that keeping your brain stimulated and challenged can help ward off degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Travel presents a unique set of obstacles and unexpected situations that tourists must learn to sort out. From learning to overcome the language barriers in foreign countries, to finding your way when lost in an unknown city, traveling helps keep your brain alert and functioning writes Nisha Sharma

In addition to the mental health benefits travel can provide, getting out of your comfort zone will likely expand your global perspective in ways you never before thought possible. Seeing foreign concepts, ideas, cultures, and customs first-hand can seriously impact how you see and interpret the world around you. Furthermore, many travelers report deeper levels of compassion and understanding towards others after spending time traveling, as this unique activity seems to draw many tourists closer to their fellow mankind.

Traveling is also a perfect way to continue learning, no matter what your age! Some tourists choose to spend a few months studying the language of a destination they plan to visit, while others learn the geography of the region where they will be staying. From young kids to grandparents alike, traveling is a perfect way to flex those learning muscles; resulting in greater knowledge and wisdom about the world we call our own.

At the end of the day, most individuals agree that travel is also really fun. Spending all of your time in one place can quickly become rather boring, but travel helps tourists shake off the old and enjoy some time away from the people and places they see every day. Whether you are looking to explore the world around you, discover more about other people and cultures, or help change your overall perspective on life, travel can be a perfect way to improve yourself and have a great time in the process!

Source : HTH Worldwide healthytravelblog.com

5 January 2012 -The Ministry of Health of China has notified WHO of a human case of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection.‪

The case is a 39-year-old male from Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. He developed symptoms on 21 December 2011 and was admitted to hospital on 25 December 2011. He was in critical condition and died on 31 December 2011. The case was laboratory diagnosed by Guangdong CDC on 30 December 2011 and confirmed by China CDC on 31 December 2011. Investigation into the source of infection is ongoing. Close contacts of the case are being monitored and to date all remain well.

Of the 41 cases confirmed to date in China, 27 have been fatal.

5 January 2012 -The Ministry of Health and Population of Egypt has notified WHO of a case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus.‪

The case is a 42 year-old male from Menofia Governorate. He developed symptoms on 16 December 2011 and was admitted to hospital on 21 December 2011, where he received oseltamivir treatment. He was in critical condition and died on 22 December 2011.

The case was confirmed by the Central Public Health Laboratories, a National Influenza Centre of the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network, on 24 December 2011.

Investigations into the source of infection indicated that the case had exposure to sick and dead backyard poultry.

Of the 157 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 55 have been fatal.

You don’t have to look far to find self-improvement tips, but I wanted an international perspective, so I dug back into The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner, who captures certain secrets of longevity from natives of Sardinia, Okinawa and Costa Rica. Despite being separated by thousands of miles, these distinct and ancient cultures are based on very similar, simple principles that can be distilled into resolutions:
» Wake up with a plan–in Okinawa it’s an ikigai, in Costa Rica a plan de vida. Start each day with a clearly articulated purpose.
» Include the grandparents—put three generations of family at the center of life to broaden perspective and pass down traditions and meaning.
» Exercise outside—the combination of sunshine and activity that raises cardiovascular function is an unbeatable way to lift your spirits.
» Make meat a special occasion—whether it’s lamb in Sardinia, pork in Okinawa or chicken in Costa Rica, it’s traditional to eat meat once or twice a week and for celebrations.

Of course, there is also plenty of local color when it comes to longevity tips. If these cultures ring in the New Year with a favorite tonic, here are the beverages of choice:
» Sardinia—red wine (Cannonau) or goat’s milk
» Okinawa—miso soup
» Costa Rica—hard water (full of minerals)

As you raise your glass, you may want to borrow from the Italians and say “Cent ‘anni!”–shorthand for “May you live 100 years!” A very Happy New from everyone at ALC Health.

ALC Health SOURCE : HTH Worldwide www.healthytravelblog.com

From everyone at ALC Health, may we wish you the very best for 2012. We look forward to supporting you wherever in the world you may find yourself through our range of comprehensive international medical insurance plans www.alchealth.com. Contact your local ALC Health office or call your specilaist health insurance advisor for more information.

The Ministry of Health in Senegal notified the WHO of three cases of yellow fever in Kédougou  and Saraya Health districts, near the border with Mali and Guinea Conakry on 26 October 2011.

The index case was a 25 year-old female who developed symptoms of fever, headache and vomiting, with no history of yellow fever vaccination. She consulted the health military post of Kédougou on 23 July 2011. The case was detected as part of a surveillance project for dengue and chikungunya conducted in the region. The WHO reference laboratory for Yellow Fever at the Institut Pasteur in Dakar confirmed the case  (IgM by ELISA test and Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test or PRNT) on 10 October 2011.

Two other cases – 29 year-old female and 3 year-old male – were reported on 10 and 11 August 2011.  All three cases have fully recovered. An outbreak investigation team assessed the situation in the Kédougou and Saraya districts from 8 to 29 August 2011, where a total of 76 people (suspected cases and their contacts, including 10 deaths) were identified. Laboratory tests conducted showed no evidence of recent yellow fever infection among the 76 people.  However, the tests (IgG) indicated that 20 of them had previously been exposed to yellow fever virus or yellow fever vaccine.

The health districts of Kédougou and Saraya benefited from a preventive mass vaccination campaign in December 2007, where the vaccination coverage was 94.9% and 94.8% respectively.

The Ministry of Health of Senegal plans to organize a vaccination campaign in mid-December 2011, targeting the non-vaccinated individuals aged nine months and above, excluding pregnant women in Kédougou, Saraya and Salémata health districts. The mass vaccination campaign aims to protect the susceptible population living in the area, which appears to have increased due to recent migration from neighboring countries. A total of 159,626 doses of vaccine from the GAVI-funded yellow fever emergency vaccine stockpile has been released by the International Coordinating Group on Yellow Fever Vaccine Provision (YF-ICG) for the campaign

The Ministry of Health and Population of Egypt has notified WHO of a case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus.‪

The case is a 29-year-old male from Dakahlia Governorate. He developed symptoms on 8 December 2011 and was admitted to hospital on 15 December 2011, where he received oseltamivir treatment. He was in critical condition and died on 19 December 2011.

The case was confirmed by the Central Public Health Laboratories, a National Influenza Centre of the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network on 18 December 2011.

Investigations into the source of infection indicated that the case had exposure to backyard poultry.

Of the 156 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 54 have been fatal.

With the festive season almost upon us, I would like to take this opportunity to say a very big thank you to everyone who has supported ALC Health throughout the past year.

2011 has seen ALC Health continue to grow and, with the recent change of underwriting capacity to AXA PPP International, we are extremely excited about the year ahead and the new opportunities to come.

We look forward to continuing to work closely with you to protect your health wherever you may live or travel and, on behalf of everyone at ALC Health, may I wish you and your loved ones a restful and a relaxing holiday.

Sarah Jewell (Managing Director) ALC Health

Wait times are the boogeyman of public health systems all over the world. They cut to the very heart of the debate over costs versus access to care.

Hardly a week goes by where we don’t see a story on the world’s ever-lengthening patient queues (and trust us, we make it our business to keep up on these things). Fortunately, a new OECD study has shed some additional light on the subject.

In Health at a Glance 2011, researchers investigated wait times across 11 countries using data from a 2010 Commonwealth Fund Survey. They found more patients waiting longer for specialist appointments and elective surgery in Canada, Sweden and Norway. MORE>

SOURCE : expathealth.org

An outbreak of Chikungunya fever has been reported from Bangladesh. Travelers
should protect themselves from mosquito bites by applying repellent and keeping
themselves covered.