My family’s crazy Gap Year – Channel 4

I watch many television programmes these days with a strong element of scepticism; travel and nature programmes are often the worst offenders of exaggeration


The emphasis of these programmes always seems to be about a ‘boast’, with the presenters (or increasingly the camera crews and support teams) becoming the focus; they talk again and again about how ‘they are the first’, ‘how dangerous’, ‘how difficult’, ‘how extreme’, ‘how remote’ and any number of other ‘I am cool and brave’ references. I sometimes wonder why the production companies bother sending teams out for the first few weeks to film nature programmes; after all don’t they always find the species they are looking for on the very last day / hour before they leave…


My point is that so many of these programmes are too stage managed; they are unrealistic and what is really going on behind the scenes (support teams etc.) would negate the emphasis of the programme in an age where sensationalism has dampened imagination and wonder.


I have to say I didn’t really expect Channel 4’s ‘My family’s crazy Gap Year’ to be much different, what concerned me was that many of these programmes send out very poor messages about travel safety and responsible travel. They portray a sense of invincibility and promote the impression that you must always go a step further, beyond what is sensible, to gain bragging rights.


For me travelling in order to gain ‘bragging rights’ is travelling for the wrong reason. If you can travel to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, Dive on the Barrier Reef, climb the Atlas or Rocky mountains, meet the people of the Pacific, see one of Africa’s ‘big five’ or any of another million incredible experiences which are out there and not be blown away, maybe that type of travel is not for you.


Why would anyone need to exaggerate further the experience or the privilege of a trip down the Amazon with tales of dangerous tribes and the impression that at any second a jaguar could jump out and attack them?


Is the fact that you are on the Amazon river, in the world’s greatest rainforest not amazing enough without having to lie / exaggerate?


…and it is an exaggeration; how many eminent scientists have spent months and years looking for jaguars in the Amazon, never to have actually seen one?


My point is that the Channel 4 show actually turned out to be more restrained than most of this genre. I was expecting to be writing about all the bad advice the show inadvertently given. At the start of the programme, when the family involved decided to take homeopathic remedies rather than pharmaceutical ones to ward off tropical disease, I thought my worst fears were going to be realised.


It might well have been a good idea for the programme to emphasise the other options available at this point and the risks involved with type of choice; rather than to ignore what is a vital part of the planning process.


However by the end of the show I was pleasantly surprised that there were only two points I wanted to bring up in relation to travel safety; with homeopathic remedies being one (and a very unwise choice). Later in the show, comments from the family (when they were in Papua) mentioned that they were worried about their choice in this respect and ‘they hoped that the homeopathic remedies would protect them’. Don’t rely on ‘hope’ when it comes to your health; get the best prophylactic drugs and vaccinations on the market.


The other big incident in the programme was the car accident in northern India and how lucky the family was that no one was more seriously injured.


Travel by car, bus and road traffic generally, remains one of the biggest risks during travel. Travellers have to be confident enough to say something when they feel uncomfortable.


Travelling at any speed on the type of dirt / gravel road they were on at the time of the accident, especially when there is a large drop on one side, is not a place to cross your fingers and hope for the best; you must stand up and be heard. It is your money which is funding the travel, the driver will follow your instructions if you tell him with enough confidence. Often local drivers drive faster than they might normally, because they assume western tourists are always in a hurry and want to arrive as quickly as possible.


If you are not confident enough to tell the driver directly, then make an excuse; tell the driver to slow down so you can enjoy the view, because you are feeling sick or tell him he’ll get a tip if he slows down.


However I can’t write about this programme without sharing my fondness for episode one. Some of this is because two of the highlighted parts of their trip (Mongolia and Papua) are very familiar to me and similar to experiences I have enjoyed myself in those parts of the world; they brought back great memories.


However the great success of this programme was down to the family who were the subject of episode one. I thought they were charming, very British (in all the right ways), with a fantastic balance of humour and a sense of adventure; maybe qualities the experience brought out in them. What they seem to have gained from their travels above all, is a better understanding of the world around them, an appreciation of the magnificence the world offers and memories that even the youngest child will remember for a lifetime; no need to ‘brag’ when you have gained all of that.


It also just goes to prove that Gap Years are no longer the preserve of school and university leavers, but open to all.


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.


Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.


For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.


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Source – Channel 4
Date – 6th September 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Newlyweds stranded after fall

If ever there was a story to reaffirm the point I made in my recent news blog entry (Warning tourists of the dangers of ‘Balconing’) here it is.


Now I’m not suggesting that this incident in Corfu was anything other than an accident, but it does once again demonstrate two things; balconies are dangerous places and more importantly the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) scheme is no substitute for comprehensive Travel Insurance.


The EHIC will only get you the same treatment as local people. In some parts of Europe this treatment will be better than in the UK, but in others it will be less good. The point is most people who suffer illness or accident want to be treated in the UK and want access to the specialist treatment we are all automatically entitled to.


More to the point an accident like the one suffered by Carrie-Anne Dudbridge can result in injuries which require months of hospital treatment and rehabilitation, people need the support of friends and family at these difficult times and for that you need to be at home.


The EHIC will not cover repatriation costs, which if you cannot leave hospital and board an aeroplane in the normal manner can cost upwards of £15,000 even from Europe; and significantly more from other parts of the world. In addition to this travel partners and friends will also need to fund their ‘extended’ stay.


The EHIC is a good additional measure to take when travelling in Europe, but it is the BACK-UP to travel insurance, not the substitute.


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.


Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.


For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.


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Source – The Evening Standard
Date – 19th August 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Peru declares emergency over cold weather

Peru has experienced a torrid year, which has negatively impacted on travel to the country and highlights the need for effective preparation for independent travel.


The current extreme cold spell has been devastating for local people up and down the country; 65% of the country has declared a state of emergency, in order to free up much needed emergency funding.


The extreme temperatures in the south of the country which have reached -24C are proportionately just as severe as the lows of 9C which have been experienced in the normally hot and humid Amazon region. The people who live in both these areas will experience similar consequences to these relative temperatures; with people living in the south being used to below zero temperatures, but not -24C and those from the Amazon basin being used to 20C - 30C but not single digits.


Travellers need to prepare effectively for the variance in temperatures which can be experienced across the country normally and these extremes, which in Peru, seem to be more and more frequent occurrences.


Due to its long coastline and reliance on the effect of the offshore currents for its climate, Peru is more susceptible to the effects of global warming than most. The country is still recovering from the devastating floods which closed its most popular tourist attraction earlier this year; Machu Picchu only re-opened in April.


To add to these ‘climate’ problems, Peru is also still suffering after the a devastating 2007 earthquake.


However travel to Peru should not be discounted, the country has too much to offer for that.


Effective planning is the key to safe independent travel and a significant part of this planning should involve understanding the conditions at your destination(s). This will help you to decide the best time of year to travel and the type of equipment you might require.


Your equipment choices need to be versatile, it is simply not possible to take more than one set of equipment, yet travellers to Peru will need to prepare for both extreme heat and extreme cold…. The key is to make sure your equipment is multi-purpose and works well when combined to meet all your requirements.


If you are going to visit southern Peru at this time of year (the southern hemisphere winter), you need to expect and prepare for cold in any year. This year your preparation needs to be even more effective, otherwise you could find yourself with inappropriate equipment in extreme cold.


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.


Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.


For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.


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Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 24th July 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Deaths as dengue fever grips Caribbean

There is no vaccination for Dengue fever; the only option is prevention and treatment.


Fatalities from Dengue are rare in travellers because they are generally fortunate enough to have access to good healthcare if infected,. However it is a very debilitating disease and contracting a serious case of the fever will ruin most trips at the very least and can lead to further complications, especially if left untreated.


People I know who have had Dengue fever tell me it is an incredibly painful and frightening experience, symptoms include pain behind the eyes which can feel like you are going blind, skin rashes and extreme pain in the bones and joints; it can take weeks of hospitalisation to recover. It should also be noted that people who catch Dengue once are at far greater danger if they contract a different strain of the disease at a later date; contracting dengue fever may give you a level of immunity from the strain you caught, but makes you more vulnerable to the other strains which are out there.


So the key is in making sure your bite prevention methods are up to scratch. With no vaccine and no cure these are the only forms of protection. Don’t fall into the common misconception that mosquitoes bite at night and more in rural areas. The Aedes mosquito which carries the virus is active mainly during the day and are actually more common in urban areas.


Areas like the Caribbean where this latest outbreak has occurred are perfect locations for the mosquito and thus outbreaks of the disease, which seems to be on the increase across the world, are not uncommon. Due to the short life-cycles of these mosquitoes, even a short period of ideal conditions can lead to an explosion of the number of carriers.


The solution is bite avoidance day and night; cover up; insect repellent; insecticide; avoiding attractants like scents and scented soaps and even smelly feet & cheese; avoiding stagnant water, even small puddles can be breeding grounds; knowing the symptoms and seeking immediate medical care if any occur.


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.


Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.


For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.


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Source – The Independent
Date – 18th July 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

British Behaviour Abroad – Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) 2009-10 Report

The report highlights the problems Britons encounter during travel which require assistance from the FCO and their in-country representatives. These include the consequences of;


• 944 Britons being arrested for drug related offences
• 19% of Britons travel without insurance
• Britons spend only an average of 25 minutes researching local laws and customs of the country they are travelling to
• The FCO dealt with a staggering (almost) 2 million consular enquiries.
• Although Spain had the highest number of consular assistance cases with over 14 a day (5283 a year), Thailand had the highest percentage of consular assistance cases per visitor / resident with over 2.6 a day (957 a year).
• Spain had the highest number of arrests (2012) but once again Thailand had the highest percentage of arrests (249 of which 68 were for drug related offences) followed by UAE (265) and USA (1367).
• Of the 3689 Britons hospitalised abroad, Spain has the highest number (3689) with Thailand having the highest percentage (199) with Greece second (471) and Egypt third (235). Many of these cases were due to motorbike accidents and drink related incidents.
• A total of 5930 Britons died abroad with Thailand (292) again the country with the highest percentage of deaths to visitors / residents.
• 27,272 passports were lost or stolen. For once Thailand (827) only comes third on the list of frequency per visitor, with New Zealand (1662) coming top and South Africa (832) coming second.


The complete report can be downloaded from the Foreign Office website (British Behaviour Abroad).


It should be noted that the figures given above are those for cases where consular assistance was sought or where incidents were reported to the FCO; they do not take into account the many people who fail or choose not to do so. We can therefore assume that to one degree or another, the actual numbers may be significantly higher.


It is highly recommended that if you get into any kind of difficulty when travelling you seek consular assistance. Even in cases where you think you don’t actually need their immediate help we would strongly advise people to make contact, as even seemingly innocuous situation can quickly spiral into serious ones.


The British embassy / consulate / high commission in the country you are visiting will be more than happy to offer assistance in whatever form you believe to be necessary (providing it is within their power / remit to do so). This means they will also be more than happy for you just to touch base with them and let them know the situation you are in.


For example if you fall ill and require hospitalisation, you may be very comfortable with the level of medical treatment you are receiving (many countries round the world have health care which easily matches that which we enjoy in the UK) and your insurance may cover your costs. The benefit of contacting the FCO representative in the country you are visiting is that if your condition suddenly deteriorates, they will already have a knowledge of your case, which will allow them to more quickly contact your family or advise you on other local medical opinions you may wish to seek.


The following are some point worth considering in relation to above snapshot of this report:


Drugs – Avoid illegal drugs at all costs and avoid association with others who may be using / dealing illegal drugs. Availability does not indicate legality and it can generally be assumed that those drugs which are illegal in the UK are illegal in all other parts of the world (in places such as the UAE even many drug which are sold under prescription in the UK are illegal). Do not believe those who tell you that drug use is tolerated; they are either kidding themselves as a drug user; kidding you to ‘impress’ you; or involved in marketing (selling) illegal drugs. In many countries the penalties for drug possession can be significant and even association with drug users can land you inside a very unpleasant prison cell.

Alcohol – Alcohol plays a significant part in many injuries, accidents and fatalities in travellers. When travelling we tend to have a more care-free (invincible) attitude then when at home; which considering the risks in most other countries are higher than in the UK, is actually the exact opposite of the approach we should be taking. Alcohol plays a part in many social activities and there is no particular problem with this in itself; however you should take significantly more care and be aware of the relative strengths (sizes of measures) of alcohol and moderate your consumption when abroad. Avoid mixing alcohol with: unfamiliar locations / people; drugs (illegal & prescription); driving / traffic; especially driving scooters / motorbikes; water (being in or on); heights; cultures & countries where it is illegal or not tolerated; ‘extreme sports’ (skiing, diving, riding etc.); confrontation; more alcohol… Be aware that being under the influence of alcohol or drugs is likely to invalidate your insurance.

Driving - Road accidents continue to be a significant cause of injury and death abroad, with insufficient care being taken by many travellers in regard to safety equipment which they would routinely use in the UK; these are often ignored on roads where the risks are significantly higher and where local road rules / conditions may be unfamiliar. Make sure you are insured and use the appropriate protective equipment even if locals don’t; over 1.2 million people die on roads around the world each year with over 70% of fatalities being in resource poor countries.

Travel Health – Ensure you visit your GP or travel clinic at least six to eight weeks prior to departure in order to allow enough time to complete any course of vaccinations they recommend. For malaria areas always use prophylactic drugs prescribed by your doctor and ensure you finish the course (this may be up to 4 weeks after travel, but is the most dangerous time as far as contracting malaria goes). Take bite avoidance measures as viruses like Dengue Fever cannot be vaccinated against and no vaccination is 100% full-proof; it is vital to have a combination of vaccinations and proactive prevention measures to ensure the best possible protection. Take out comprehensive travel insurance and make sure you are covered for the areas you intend to visit, the activities you intend to take part in and that your insurance will pay out if you need to be repatriated; make sure you tell the insurance company of any existing medical conditions as these may invalidate your insurance if not disclosed.

Rape & Sexual Assault – the FCO reports 132 cases of rape and 140 cases of sexual assault of which were notified. The numbers reported will certainly significantly misrepresent the actual number of such cases in travellers. Although drink / food spiking will be used in a significant number of cases of sexual assault, this is certainly not the only methodology and such assaults are often accompanied by violence or the threat of violence. It should also be noted that a significant number of these assaults will be carried out by ‘fellow travellers’ and that the drug most commonly used in ‘drug assisted sexual assault / rape’ is alcohol. Stick with people you trust and be careful who you trust; it is better to be self-reliant than to rely on someone you have only recently met.

Documentation – Copy all vital documents, take two copies with you, keep them separate from the originals (I keep a copy in the lining of my daypack and backpack) and leave a copy with someone you trust at home; so that if everything goes missing you can be faxed / emailed a copy. Never allow your passport to be used as a form of security against hire / rental or to secure your accommodation.

FCO – The Foreign & Commonwealth Office can and will provide very useful advice and guidance both prior to and (through their representatives in-country) during travel. However travellers must be self-sufficient and should not rely on the FCO for material assistance. They cannot intervene or supersede local laws and law-makers; they can’t fund you even in the case of serious emergencies; they can not issue ‘get out of jail free cards’. They will help you and your family and friends help yourselves and offer you vital support and advice to assist you in resolving your predicament.


The report contains very useful information and case studies on individual locations and offers a great insight into the problems other travellers have encountered in the countries featured; Australia, Canada, China, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, New Zealand, Pakistan, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (UAE), USA. If you are visiting any of these countries it is worth a few minutes of your time to read the information on the countries you will be visiting, otherwise see the FCO Country Information page of their website, for more information on every country / territory in the world.


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

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Source – FCO

Date – 16th July 2010

Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Cheryl Cole being treated for malaria in hospital

Despite taking anti-malaria drugs Cheryl Cole seems to have contracted Malaria following her recent trip to Tanzania.


With proper medical care Malaria is not normally a fatal disease and it is the lack of medical care which means that in excess of 1 million people die from the disease worldwide every year. How quickly Cheryl recovers and what the long term effects are will be depend to a degree on which strain of the disease she has caught.


According to her agent, it does seem that Cheryl Cole / Tweedy (I’m not sure what the latest etiquette is in regard to her name…) was taking prophylactic (anti) malaria drugs; I can only surmise that she followed the correct dosage for the drugs she was on; dosages will vary from drug to drug.


Alongside taking the correct dosage, it is just as important that anyone on a coarse of prophylactic drugs, sees it through to the end; this will often mean taking the drugs for between 1 and 4 weeks after you return from an area of the world where there is a malaria risk. We can only assume that she also did this.


Whatever the reason for Cheryl Cole contracting malaria, it may eventually come down to the simple fact that although prophylactic malaria drugs are very effective and should always be taken when visiting areas of malaria risk, they are not 100% effective.


Malaria may not necessarily be a killer for those of us fortunate enough to have access to the excellent medical facilities such as those we have here in the UK, but it should never be taken lightly. It can be incredibly debilitating disease both in the short term and the long term; I have no doubt we will hear exactly how bad it is from Cheryl herself when she has recovered…


Preventing Malaria is about more than simply visiting a travel clinic or GP and obtaining ‘anti-malaria’ drugs, which should be just the first step of the process, in addition effective bite prevention measures should be employed.


Bite prevention sounds straight forward, slap on some repellent and off you go; but there is more to it than this if you want it to be really effective.


A knowledge of the right mosquito repellent to use; treating your equipment and clothing with insecticide; making yourself unattractive to mosquitoes with the colours and smells you give off; moving your shoes away from your bed (yes mosquitoes are attracted to smelly feet); all reduce the chance of being bitten.


The less often you get bitten, the less often your malaria medication will be tested.


It is not sufficient to just use bite prevention methods, they alone are not full-proof. It is not sufficient just to use prophylactic (anti) malaria drugs, they alone are not full-proof. It is the combination of both which offers the best protection.


Having an understanding of the various bite-prevention techniques adds a layer of protection which GP’s and Travel clinics rarely have the time to explain adequately; during Our Workshops we do.


Even when you have taken the strongest precautions, if on your return from a malaria risk area you experience flu like symptoms or lack energy, as Cheryl Cole / Tweedy did, make it a priority to visit your GP and tell them you have recently returned from a malaria risk area of the world. Malaria can remain dormant in the body for many months, so mention it even if is many months since you returned.


Cheryl’s name will now be added to the estimated 2000 British tourists who return to the UK every year with malaria; fatalities from malaria in the UK average about 9 every year.


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.


Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.


For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.


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Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 6th July 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Mosquitoes are old sweats at detection

Mosquitoes bites are more than just an irritation when travelling, they carry everything from malaria to dengue and from yellow fever to Japanese encephalitis; well worth avoiding.


Protection against these diseases involves a combination of prophylactic drugs, vaccinations and bite avoidance. All of these measures must be taken together, as alone they are not 100% effective.


Bite avoidance is a very important part of this prevention strategy, as not getting bitten in the first place means you don’t have to rely on the pharmaceutical barriers to do their job.


During our workshop we provide a list of methods for avoiding bites, they add up to provide a high level of protection, each layer adding to the protection provided.


If mosquitoes are proven to be attracted to sweat, then taking an extra shower may be another way of reducing the risk; be careful though, mosquitoes are also attracted to the scents in some shampoos and deodorants, so you may be replacing one attractant with another…


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.


Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.


For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.


Source – Evening Standard
Date – 4th February 2010

Encephalitis toll approaches 130

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Title – Encephalitis toll approaches 130Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 17th August 2009

Japanese encephalitis is one of those vaccinations which some travellers ‘sacrifice’ in order to make a ‘cost saving’. It is a rare disease in travellers, which is why some people choose not to get the vaccination; which is not available for free on the NHS.

However it is important that cost is not a factor in this decision making process.

Every time you travel you need to carry out a travel risk assessment and ‘cost’ should never be a factor in this equation. Sensible risk reduction is always cost effective, as the consequences of ignoring risk can often not be calculated purely in monetary terms.

In regard to the risk assessment for Japanese encephalitis, there are a number of different factors to take into account; the region you are travelling to; the type of activities you intend to take part in; rural or urban travel; the type of accommodation you will using; if you will be staying, working or visiting farms; the duration of your stay in the area; the time of year; and recent ‘outbreaks’ in the region.

This latest outbreak in a poor and remote part of India (Uttar Pradesh) is certainly something that any traveller to the region should be aware of. It makes vaccination of anyone travelling to the area, a fundamental part of the risk assessment process; tightening up on mosquito bite avoidance measures, will also help considerably.

At

Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Health, alongside sessions on Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

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China tries to contain plague after second death

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Title – China tries to contain plague after second deathSource – The Independent
Date – 4th August 2009

Just the very mention of ‘plague’ fills people with horror and conjures up images of biblical times; not a modern world in 2009. In the 14th century the ‘black death’ (plague) killed a third of Europe’s population; some 25 million people perished.

However for the average traveller, plague need not be near the top of the list of concerns. There are no known incidences of plague in travellers returning to the UK since 1918. However ‘awareness’ is a useful tool in developing preventative strategies.

The main strategy for preventing the contraction of plague is to avoid endemic areas / outbreak areas and to be aware of those animals which act as a vector for the disease.

This particular outbreak should not affect travellers unless they are already in the area; which is very remote and rarely visited. The Chinese have become very effective at controlling outbreaks of infectious diseases by isolating infected people and infected areas; something made easier when the government has so much control over its people…

Outbreaks of plague are not as isolated as they may seem and not always confined to these remote parts of the world. Although Africa accounts for 80% of cases, central Asia is also high on the list of the endemic areas; some 2000 cases and 180 deaths reported annually (figures from 2003). Worldwide there are also occasional large outbreaks, such as the 5000 reported in India in 1994. There have also been isolated cases in rural

USA, Peru, Vietnam and Mongolia.

In Mongolia it is relatively well known that the Marmot, a common sight on the open steppe, can and do sometimes carry plague They are also hunted as a source of protein and for their skins by the local nomadic people. The Marmot is a representative of the type of animals which can carry plague, including rats, rabbits, prairie dogs, gerbils, guinea pigs and other rodents. Needless to say contact with these animals is not advisable in areas where plague is endemic.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Health, alongside sessions on Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

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River blindness ‘can be beaten’

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Title – River blindness ‘can be beaten’Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 21st July 2009

Onchocerciasis or River Blindness is another of the terrible afflictions which local populations face in parts of the world, which can affect travellers and for which protective measures should be taken.

Once again Africa and particularly Sub Saharan Africa is badly affected by this terrible disease with it’s debilitating symptoms.

With 37 million people affected by River Blindness the news that there is hope for successful treatment is very welcome and let’s hope the funding is found to extend the work already being done.

For independent travellers the key is prevention. Bite protection is the key, so avoiding the Black Fly habitats (river banks and lakes), wearing appropriate clothing, use of insect repellent and insecticides and sleeping under a mosquito net are all essential. Make sure that if any symptoms occur (even some years after infection) you inform your doctor of your travels and where appropriate seek specialist advice and treatment.

At

Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Health, alongside sessions on Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

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Killer parasites’ genes decoded

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Title – Killer parasites’ genes decoded
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 16th July 2009

I put these articles into the blog sometimes, not because such an in-depth knowledge of diseases is important for independent travellers, but because highlighting these diseases and making people aware of them provides a degree of protection.

Those diseases which attract the most attention are those which have vaccinations or for which prophylactic drugs are available. This is because the drug companies spend a vast amount of money promoting their drugs by providing information about the diseases themselves.

This means that diseases like Dengue Fever or in this case Bilharzia (Schistosomiasis) get largely left behind and tend only to be highlighted by government departments and then only when travellers actually seek out information.

If anything these are the ones we need to take more care with, because there is no vaccination or prophylactic drugs to provide ‘easy’ protection, so it is knowledge and our behaviour which offers the only protection.

Bilharzia is an incredibly debilitating and potentially fatal disease and is frighteningly common with over 200 million cases reported every year. London’s Hospital for Tropical Diseases sees an average of 200 cases a year in returning travellers.

Local advise is especially important in understanding bodies of water which are not safe to wade or swim in. For example reports suggest that 50% of swimmers in Lake Malawi test positive for Bilharzia; those are odds simply not worth contemplating, no matter how hot it is.

At

Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Health alongside sessions on Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

The holiday bug with a lethal sting

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Title – The holiday bug with a lethal stingSource – Independent
Date – 7th July 2009

I have written before about Malaria in this blog and I don’t really want to retrace those words at this point. During our workshop we go on and on about taking a co-ordinated approach to protecting against malaria and in practice the steps are relatively simple; add to these a few tricks and tips we have learnt along the way and the protection becomes even more complete. Even though it is never going to be 100% full proof, it seems logical to me that the closer you get to 100% the better. Too many travellers seem to take the bizarre attitude, that if the pills are not 100% proof why take them at all…

Our approach is fourfold:

1. Planning
2. Prophylactic drugs & Vaccinations
3. Bite prevention
4. Awareness & Diagnosis

The good thing about this approach is that malaria is just one of many diseases spread by mosquitoes and this simple strategy goes a significant way to assisting with protection against these as well. Bite prevention adds significant protection from diseases including:

· Dengue Fever
· Yellow Fever
· Encephalitis
· Rift Valley Fever

The experience of people who have contracted malaria should be enough to get anyone thinking. The 2000 people diagnosed with malaria every year in the UK, not to mention the 10 – 12 fatalities a year, should be enough to make anyone take those measures required in order to protect themselves.

In addition to the fact that getting malaria is a devastating and life threatening experience, the added pressure put on local services & resources when you require treatment in-country because you have failed to take the appropriate prevention measures is very unfair; especially when many countries can’t even look after their own population. The hospital bed you as a foreigner will undoubtedly be given is a bed which a local person will be turned away from.

I always ask people how many people in Sub-Saharan Africa would refuse a mosquito net or prophylactic drugs if they were offered them; the answer is obviously none. When you leave your mosquito net at home or ignore the doctor’s advice, you do rather rub salt in their considerable wounds.

At

Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Health, alongside sessions on Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Drugging Danger on Indian Trains

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Title – Drugging Danger on Indian Trains
Source – Sunday Times
Date – 31st May 2009

That the Indian police are warning travellers about the risks of ‘spiked’ food and drink on Indian trains, means that people should really be paying attention…

Drugged food and drink on trains in many parts of the world has been an increasingly common problem, especially on the Indian Sub-continent. This warning seems to be directed at female travellers and although they should be taking as much care as anyone, the implication given is not entirely correct.

By suggesting that women in particular should be wary of drugged food, the natural conclusion is that the reason for the ‘spiking’ is to enable the perpetrator to sexually assault the victim. Although sexual assault or drug assisted rape is certainly one possible motive and is still predominantly directed at women, the use of drugs to disable a victim is probably used more as a way of incapacitating a person in order to facilitate theft or robbery.

In the case of theft, the threat is clearly directed at male and female travellers, so I wanted to extend the warning given by the Indian police to all travellers. Be careful when offered hospitality by strangers, especially on trains in India where these ‘scams’ are known to happen. The consequences of being ‘spiked’ can be much more serious than simply being robbed, apart from the potential of sexual assault the effects of the drugs themselves can have serious consequences to health.

It is about finding a balance; hospitality of local people is one of the joys of travel and to avoid it completely is to miss out on a fundamental aspect of the travel experience. The use of good judgement is key; a knowledge of where and when it might be appropriate to accept hospitality and mitigating the risks by travelling with people you trust (and where there is doubt one member of your group foregoing the hospitality offered) will reduce the risks faced from this particular threat.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Health, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more. During our workshop we look at many of the ‘common scams’ and the threats faced by travellers from criminals in the countries they intend to visit.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Malaria parasites ‘resist drugs’

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Title – Malaria parasites ‘resist drugs’
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 29th May 2009

I have written about malaria prophylactics in this blog before and I don’t propose to revisit the arguments for travellers making sure they take the appropriate prophylactic drug when they visit areas of the world where Malaria is endemic; it’s really a ‘no-brainer’ don’t play Russian roulette with a loaded gun…

The point I want to extract from this story is two-fold;

The first point is that you should seek the latest medical advice and not rely or hearsay or what a doctor told you last year (or the last time you travelled); the situation with the appropriate drugs to use for a particular area of the world can change rapidly. Try not to get caught up in the myths and folklore about which are the ‘best’ malaria drugs or the scare stories about side effects. Go and see your doctor get their advise, if you feel unsure about it, then seek a second opinion (undoubtedly some doctors are more up-to-date than others).

Once you have been told what particular prophylactic is suitable for the area you are visiting, buy the quantity you will require for your whole trip (and include extra if there is any chance you will be extending your stay) in the UK before you leave.

This takes me nicely on to my second point; buying drugs (prescription that is) at your destination.

There are a phenomenal quantity of counterfeit drugs on the market and no where is this more prominent than in Asia; as China and India are by far the worlds largest producer of ‘fake drugs’

The problems with these is two fold; firstly they can be ineffective and therefore lull the user into a false sense of security and even mask symptoms. The second problem is that many of them are actually harmful. Fake drugs are believed to be responsible for over 200,000 deaths annually; a recent report suggested this is nearer 700,000 if you include those victims who die from the diseases they are being ineffectively treated for with fake drugs.

It is really a different problem to other fake items which may fall apart soon after purchase but generally cause disappointment rather than harm. Fake drugs have been found to be carcinogenic, to contain anything from lead to rat poison, to mask symptoms while condition deteriorates and to kill those taking them.

It turns out now they may be playing a part in an even more serious problem. Some of these drugs contain a little of the actual drug in order for them to pass rudimentary tests. Because the doses are so low they don’t kill the malaria parasite, but in much the same way as when we recover from the common cold and develop immunity from catching that particular strain again in the future; this small dose allows the Malaria parasite to develop immunity from the drug.

The difference is Malaria already kills a million people a year and resistant strains have the potential to kill many more than that if immunity develops more quickly than science can.

Fake drugs kill at every level. Like so many fake products these days, fake drugs look almost identical to the real thing. The most effective way to avoid them is to buy your drugs in a country such as the UK where drugs are strictly controlled. If you have to buy them (or top up) while you are away, go to a reputable source, like a proper licensed pharmacy, ask a local doctor and if they seem excessively cheap there is probably a reason…

At

Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Health, alongside sessions on Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.