Traveling on a humongous ship from port to port with thousands of strangers is revered as one of the best ways to travel. But for better or worse, the term “cruise” has also become synonymous with the 24/7 access to extravagant buffets, endless supplies of pizza and booze, and the subsequent binge eating.
Yet in response to today’s increasingly health-conscious world, cruise lines have taken measures to improve the passengers’ experience by ensuring an amazing time without threatening your waistline.
If you’re joining in on the fun during the peak of cruising-season, you’ll definitely want to keep these tips in mind for a healthy vacation. Read more here…….
The World Health Organisation has been advised of another confirmed case of infection with the novel coronavirus (NCoV). This is the third case confirmed in the country this month and is in the same family cluster as the two recently confirmed cases.
The latest confirmed case does not have recent travel history outside the UK. The case is recovering from mild respiratory illness and is currently well.
The confirmation with NCoV in this case with no recent travel history indicates that infection was acquired in the UK. Although this new case offers further indications of person-to-person transmission, no sustained person-to-person transmission has been identified.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is following up on all close contacts
The United Kingdom (UK) has informed the World Health Organisation (WHO) of another confirmed case of infection with the novel coronavirus (NCoV). The patient is a UK resident and a relative of the case announced on 11 February 2013. The latest confirmed case does not have any recent travel history outside the UK and is currently hospitalized in an intensive care unit. It is understood that this patient has pre-existing medical conditions that may have increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. Continue reading Novel coronavirus infection update in the UK→
The Ministry of Health of Chad is launching an emergency mass-vaccination campaign against yellow fever from 22 February 2013, following laboratory confirmation of two cases in the country in December 2012. The two cases from Goz Beida and Guereda districts, were laboratory confirmation by a WHO regional reference laboratory for yellow fever, Institut Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal. They were identified through the national surveillance programme for yellow fever, following intensive surveillance which was triggered in response to the outbreak of yellow fever in neighbouring Sudan’s Darfur region. The intensive surveillance in Chad also reported 139 suspected cases and 9 deaths. Continue reading Mass-vaccination campaign against yellow fever in Chad→
We all seem to have stressfull lives nowadays, but there is an answer. Take a lesson from the following story, it may change your life. A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?” Continue reading Dealing with Stress – it may change your life→
Flu season is here, and all across America people are sneezing, coughing and calling in sick. Reuters reports that this is one of the worst flu seasons in years, and supplies of flu vaccine and Tamiflu are low. Continue reading The Flu Season is here→
As the January blues set in, many people look to up coming holidays to lift their mood. With winter breaks often incorporating sports such as skiing, skating, snowboarding and sledging, a robust insurance plan is essential. Snowboarding causes approximately 100,000 wrist fractures a year, and knee ligament injuries are the most common among both skiers and snowboarders. It isn’t just amateurs that are affected. At least 1 in 10 athletes at the 2010 winter Olympic Games was injured training or competing, according to a report published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The most common injuries occurred to the head, spine or knees. Continue reading Winter sports holiday? Make sure your insurance has you covered→
Expat workers in Gulf countries are increasingly limited in their options for affordable health care. Labourers from countries such as India are particularly affected as governments focus more on the local population. Dr Azad Moopen, speaking at the Global Healthcare Summit in Kochi, Kerala, warned that the GCC countries are facing huge challenges in accessibility as there aren’t enough health care facilities for expat workers. Continue reading Affordable health care challenges for expats living and working in the Middle East→
The activity of seasonal influenza continues to rise in some countries of Europe, especially western Europe. Experts advise there is still time to protect yourself and those around you by getting the flu vaccination. France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Norway have all reported a medium intensity of flu transmission. However, influenza was reported to be widespread geographically by five countries – Belgium, Denmark, France, Norway and England. Nine countries have reported increasing trends. Continue reading Increase in seasonal flu across Europe→
Despite plenty of uncertainty around the globe, 2012 has been a robust year for travel, with more than one billion people crossing international borders this year. It seems the era of the staycation is over. Continue reading Healthy Travel Trends for 2013→
International health and travel news from around the world
