Whooping cough scare 'false alarm'
A suspected outbreak of whooping cough in the US was a false alarm, according to experts.
An investigation into the events, which took place in mid 2009, was carried out by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC found that rather than being an outbreak of the highly contagious bacterial infection, the numerous cases reported were more likely to have been a "pseudo-outbreak", experts having been misled by contaminated samples.
Despite the conclusions, it is vital for travellers planning to visit areas where the disease has been reported to arrange appropriate
medical travel insurance.
However, the investigation also concluded that an outbreak the previous winter was likely to have been a genuine threat.
Lead researcher at the CDC Sema Mandal told Reuters Health that her team had found "strong evidence of other outbreaks".
Whooping cough causes uncontrollable coughing in victims, and infects up to 50 million people each year. If untreated, the disease can be fatal.
Olympics to test airports to limit
The London Olympics is set to be the pinnacle of many athletes' careers but it seems as though it could be the biggest challenge for British airports too.
The day after the closing ceremony, August 13, looks set to be the busiest 24 hours in Heathrow's history. Estimates suggest that Britain's largest airport will have to process 35% more departing baggage than normal, with a 45% increase in the number of departing passengers.
Similar increases are predicted for the day before the opening ceremony, July 26. Heathrow's owner BAA expects its costs to rise by £20 million as a result of the Olympics and Nick Cole, Heathrow's head of Olympic and Paralympic Planning, described the London 2012 Games as a massive challenge for the airport.
Special services will be laid on for athletes, including a dedicated Games terminal, set to open on August 13-15. Facility upgrades, including extra lifts for Paralympians, are also part of ongoing plans to deal with the extra pressure of increased passenger numbers.
With Heathrow set to be jam-packed with tourists and sports fans, travellers are advised to take out
travel insurance to protect themselves and their luggage.
Flu-virus linked to climatic change
Flu pandemics may be more likely after a climatic phenomenon known as La Nina has occurred, new research has suggested.
In the US, scientists have found that several outbreaks have occurred after changes in precipitation and humidity around the world.
During a La Nina event cool water is brought up to the surface of the eastern Pacific, causing these changes.
The last four pandemics - the Spanish Flu that began in 1918, the Asian Flu of 1957, the Hong Kong Flu of 1958 and the swine flu of 2009 - were all preceded by periods of La Nina conditions.
Despite this, Jeffrey Shaman from Columbia University in New York says that because the effects are very varied, there is not yet a "coherent picture."
Flu-carrying birds can change their migration pattern during the La Nina conditions. This means that it is difficult to predict which areas are safe from the virus, so when travelling abroad you should always have comprehensive
medical travel insurance.
Doctors call for compulsory helmets
An association of doctors has become the latest group to call for it to be illegal to ski without a helmet.
The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) spoke to the government in Canada on Tuesday, calling for new laws to be passed which would force skiers and snowboarders to wear helmets.
CPS chairwoman Dr Natalie Yanchar said: "People think that because they are experienced on the slopes they won't get injured, but they can't control external factors like terrain or less experienced skiers.
"Through mandatory helmet legislation, governments can send a strong message that helmets are important."
Skiing and snowboarding are two of the fastest growing holiday activities among UK tourists, and cheap flights to Canada are making it an increasingly popular destination.
However, skiing and snowboarding injuries are extremely common among people of all abilities, and anyone going on a skiing holiday is strongly advised to arrange sports
travel insurance before travelling.
Fake malaria medication risks lives
Counterfeit malaria medication is risking millions of lives in Africa and elsewhere around the world, according to medical experts.
As well as failing to prevent the disease, the fake medications could also cause the condition to become resistant to existing treatments, it is feared.
The worrying findings were published as part of a study by researchers at the Wellcome Trust, Mahosot Hospital and Oxford University. Scientists looked at fake and poor-quality anti-bacterial malaria medicines that could be bought in 11 African countries between 2002 and 2010.
Many of the fake treatments are believed to have been produced in China, the study published in the Malaria Journal indicates.
The report's findings will serve as a stark reminder of the importance of comprehensive
medical travel insurance for tourists looking to travel to malaria hotspots in Africa and elsewhere.
Delaware golf course set to reopen
A historic hotel and golf course in Delaware, USA is looking for new owners as the National Park Service announces plans to seek a new lease for its operation.
The historic Cliff Park Inn and Golf Course is situated in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, a protected 40 mile stretch of the Delaware River. National Park staff have completed assessments of the facility and are now preparing a Request for Proposals for its management and operation.
The course is located in a beautiful landscape where the Middle Delaware River cuts through the area's low forested mountains to form the famed "Water Gap". The reservation area is also home to several significant Native American archaeological sites.
Golfers could soon be able to enjoy this fantastic setting once again should the National Park Service find new management swiftly for the Inn. If you are thinking of booking a golfing holiday, whether to Delaware or elsewhere,
travel insurance can be tailored to your activity, making sure any injuries suffered are covered so you're not left stranded.
Quarantine in British Columbia
A suspected outbreak of norovirus in British Columbia has left dozens of students in quarantine in their hotel rooms.
Around 60 of the 360 people at the student journalism conference in Victoria are in voluntary isolation at the Harbour Towers Hotel and Suites, one delegate reports.
A source said that paramedics attended the hotel early Sunday morning, with several students taken to hospital overnight with what is believed to be norovirus.
With millions of visitors travelling to British Columbia a year it remains as important as ever to get full cover and reliable medical
travel insurance when going abroad.
One student at the conference said that five out of 10 of the paper's staff at the conference have symptoms of norovirus, which include vomiting, diarrhoea, cramping, headaches and muscle aches.
Moon Is Top Destination For Kids
Children are quite literally looking for something out of this world when it comes to holiday destinations, as a survey reveals nearly half of them want a trip to the moon.
The list of desired destinations, which names more regular (and easier to reach) hotspots such as a visit to Disney World in Florida, also features many fantasy worlds such as CS Lewis's world of Narnia, Hogwarts - the school in the Harry Potter stories - as well as the village of Hogsmeade from the same series.
The online poll found that children aged between three and eight in Britain also fancied trips to Hundred Acre Wood, home to AA Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh; Pride Rock, from the Lion King; and Lapland.
More realistic youngsters fancied a trip to Australia, which, like Disney World, parents would certainly find easier to get
travel insurance and tickets for.
Advice for pregnant travellers
The NHS has released advice for women wanting to travel while pregnant.
Although many women try to avoid travelling during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy due to nausea and exhaustion, for those that feel well enough there is no reason not to travel.
NHS consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Sarah Reynolds says that while travelling while pregnant often worries women, if there are no complications and precautions are taken, travel can still be an option.
Restrictions for pregnant women do vary depending on how they are travelling. Ferries for example may refuse admission to heavily pregnant women such as those beyond 32 weeks, while cruises ships often have onboard facilities which can deal with pregnancies.
Before any journey, women should check with their travel operator to see if any restrictions are in place, and if they have any concerns they should always discuss them with their midwife or doctor.
While travelling, they should always check if tap water is safe. They are advised to try to avoid any food and water-borne conditions which can often affect travellers, such as stomach upsets, as some medicines for treating these issues cannot be taken during pregnancy.
Becoming ill while pregnant and away from home can be very stressful, so people should ensure they have good
medical travel insurance in place before they go.
