The Travel Doctor TMVC News

Sumatra Volcano causes health problems, interrupts air services

Tue, 31 August 2010 11:30:00 +1100
Many of the 30,000 people evacuated after the eruption of Mount Sinabung on the Indonesian island of Sumatra to government emergency centres need urgent medical care, aid workers say. "They have started suffering diarrhoea and respiratory problems. Many villagers need immediate medical help," said Irsal, field coordinator for the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI).

Sinabung which became active on August 29, last erupted in 1600. Observers don't know its eruption pattern but there are fears it has the potential to be destructive. On successive days this week, the volcano has been shooting clouds of hot ash more than a mile into the air and forcing 30,000 people to flee. Some domestic airplanes had to be diverted because of poor visibility.

Dengue worldwide

Wed, 11 August 2010 10:30:00 +1100
In its latest update, the ProMED newsgroup, which is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases, lists newspaper reports from 13 countries commenting on dengue outbreaks within the past two weeks. The problem is widespread in the Philippines and in Central America and the Caribbean islands. It is also prevalent in southern Vietnam and Thailand as well as in Malaysia and India where authorities are concerned to try and reduce the risk for visitors to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. In Yemen a recent university study has uncovered more cases than have been reported officially and dengue has returned to Florida in the USA for the first timer in 40 years.

This latest report does not include South American countries but it is recognised that in Brazil it is a major problem in all tropical areas including the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. There are increasing numbers of reports from Africa showing that the virus causing the disease is circulating in countries like Tanzania and Senegal and in Australia sporadic outbreaks have occurred this year in Townsville and Cairns.

Vaccine manufacturers and research institutes have been working on the problem of producing an effective vaccine for many years and it does look as if one may become available within the next 3 – 5 years but personal protection currently involves precautions against mosquito bites and, for residents, strenuous efforts to eliminate breeding sites for mosquitoes.

Dengue fever must be regarded is the single most important infection facing travellers to tropical regions throughout the world.

Salsa and Guacomole? Think twice.

Wed, 21 July 2010 15:00:00 +1100
At an International Conference on emerging infectious diseases held earlier this month the USA Centers for Communicable Diseases told participants that the rate of food-borne illnesses has more than doubled for salsa and guacamole served at restaurants during the research period 1998 – 2008.

We have in the past warned against using salsa dips which are frequently seen on tables in Central American tavernas because they are likely to be contaminated by bacteria when they have been standing around for long periods. It appears that the risk is there even in countries like the USA Both these popular items are made in good restaurants from fresh ingredients but if these ingredients and foods are not properly stored and refrigerated –especially when large batches are made - they can spoil quickly and foster bacteria, such as salmonella. Cases of cholera in Ha Noi, Vietnam have been firmly linked to shrimp paste standing on tables for a long time and it is clear that partaking of pastes, sauces and suchlike items which are likely to have been exposed for long periods without refrigeration are highly likely to carry germs causing diarrhoea.

It is obvious that it is not possible to avoid such problems completely but it is wise to be circumspect about dips and sauces that have been sitting out for communal use.