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Tribune News Network
Doha
WHILE the global incidence rate for 'Zika' virus has decreased when compared to this time last year, Dr Muna al Maslamani, medical director of Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) Communicable Disease Center (CDC), said residents planning to travel to countries with active transmission of the virus should continue to take precautions.
"The Zika virus, along with malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever and West Nile virus are primarily spread through mosquito bites. These are preventable diseases. If you are travelling to a country where Zika or any of these mosquito-borne diseases are endemic, it is important to speak with a travel specialist and have a proper risk assessment," said Dr Maslamani.
Dr Maslamani said an individual's risk of contracting a travel-related illness is dependent on the destination and the individual. She added not all vaccinations are required for every individual and that personal medical history, duration of travel and planned activities will determine an individual's risk. She said while there is no commercially available vaccine for vector-borne diseases such as malaria and Zika, travellers can take precautions.
"A travel specialist can help determine if it is appropriate to take malaria prophylaxis pills and can provide advice on steps that can be taken to help avoid mosquito bites, such as wearing long sleeved tops and trousers, applying anti-insect cream (containing a 30-50% DEET concentration) and using anti-mosquito nets during sleep," said Dr Maslamani.
She recommended visiting a travel clinic and meeting with a travel medicine expert at least four weeks prior to travel. She said this is especially important for individuals with pre-existing health conditions, in particular, chronic diseases.
Dr Maslamani said each year only a small number of residents receive medical attention at HMC for serious travel-related illnesses, with most patients being treated for minor conditions such as respiratory infections, fever, diarrhoea and skin rashes. However, she said it is important for residents to know what to do should they become ill while travelling.
"Getting injured or becoming ill while travelling in a foreign country can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. Taking a few simple steps such as checking with your medical insurance carrier to determine if you are covered while travelling abroad and knowing the location of reputable medical facilities and your country's embassy or consulate can help you to be prepared for a personal medical emergency," said Dr Maslamani.
Dr Maslamani recommended individuals, who have a pre-existing medical condition, to carry a letter from their primary healthcare provider describing the condition and any prescription medicines they are taking. She said all medications should be clearly labelled and in their original containers.
She also said while rest and proper hydration and nutrition are generally sufficient for illnesses that have mild symptoms, immediate medical attention may be necessary if an individual experiences bloody diarrhoea, diarrhoea and a fever that goes above 102 degrees Fahrenheit, or experiences flu-like symptoms while visiting a malaria-endemic country. She said immediate medical attention is also required if scratched or bitten by an animal, if injured as a result of a car accident, or if an individual is sexually assaulted.
Dr Maslamani said the incubation period for different viruses and illnesses varies and the symptoms of most mild travel-related illnesses last only 24 hours. She also said there are steps travellers can take to help lower their risk of becoming ill.
"The key to minimising your chance of getting sick is to combat risk factors. Good hand hygiene is essential and can dramatically reduce your chances of developing diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, flu and even hepatitis A. Many travellers carry small bottles of hand sanitising gel but this should not replace hand washing. When possible, wash your hands with soap under hot water for at least 30 seconds before and after eating and always after going to the toilet. When you can't be sure of the purity of drinking water, opt for bottled water, ensuring the bottle seal is intact," said Dr Maslamani.
Food contamination is one of the biggest causes of traveller's diarrhoea and gastrointestinal problems. Dr Maslamani recommended being mindful when eating raw fruit and vegetables, food that has been left out, food that is shared, such as in buffets, and undercooked, raw, or reheated food, especially meat, fish, or rice.
If travelling to a country or region with a hot or tropical climate, she recommended drinking up to eight glasses of water a day to prevent dehydration. She said it is also important to protect yourself from the sun, using a minimum of SPF30 sunscreen and covering up with loose clothing, sunglasses, and a hat.
"Dehydration can set in very quickly, and that can lead to more serious conditions such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which if left unattended can become a medical emergency," added Dr Maslamani.
