For air-travellers there appear to be many annoyances, particularly during the crowded holiday period. Nearly half of people (39%) surveyed said a kicking or screaming baby near them on the flight would be their top annoyance. Nearly a fifth (17%) of people said watching other passengers squash their hand luggage bothers them the most. Sitting next to someone who gets up multiple times to use the toilet and loud music coming from a neighbour’s headphones came third and fourth on the list of things most likely to annoy people. Continue reading Biggest travel irritations this holiday season →

The Ministry of Health in Uganda reported 7 cases (6 confirmed, 1 probable)  with Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Luweero and Kampala districts.  Of these cases, 4 died. Field teams continue to investigate cases alerted to them from the communities.  The major challenge faced in some communities is the belief that witch-craft and not Ebola was the cause of deaths, despite ongoing  intensive awareness campaigns.  Social mobilization teams are working closely with traditional healers and religious leaders to raise awareness on prevention and control of the disease. Continue reading Ebola in Uganda →

As of 4 December, a total of 732 suspected cases of yellow fever, including 165 deaths have been reported in 33 out of 64 localities in Darfur.  Laboratory results have confirmed yellow fever by IgM ELISA test and PCR in 40 clinical samples. Tests were conducted at the National Public Health Laboratory in Khartoum, with support from the US Naval Medical Unit 3 (NAMRU-3), WHO Collaborating Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases. Continue reading Yellow fever in Sudan update →

A new study has shown exercise can make middle-aged people not onlyhealthier but also smarter. The data from the Montreal Heart Institute comes from participants who all had a BMI between 28 and 31 (overweight) – someone with a BMI of over 30 is considered obese writes expathealth.org Continue reading What links the Cayman Islands, sport and brainpower? →

There is a rising tide of opposition against the Dutch coalition government’s plans for income-dependent health insurance. Changes to the system will see high-earners paying up to €482 per month for health insurance, according to the national Nos television station. This will affect those who earn more than €70,000 a year writes Bill Cariker of expathealth.org Continue reading Dutch health insurance costs see sharp increase →

As we all know, traveling can be nasty business; sometimes getting there can be half the fun, but getting there seems to cause more than half of the health issues. A significant number of travelers who go abroad for more than two weeks fall ill – an estimated 10 million travelers every year get “traveler’s diarrhea.” Continue reading A week in Travel & Health →

Sudan has notified WHO of a yellow fever outbreak affecting 23 localities in Greater Darfur. As of 11 November 2012, a total of 329 suspected cases including 97 deaths were reported from this outbreak. Central and South Darfur have reported most of the suspected cases. Continue reading Yellow fever outbreak in the Sudan →

There’s a growing concern about the rapid spread of dengue fever in India, and international experts say the Indian government isn’t doing enough to tamp it down. An article this week in the New York Times raises serious questions about how the Indian government is handling the outbreak reports the healthytravelbolog.com Continue reading Is India Taking Dengue Fever Epidemic Seriously ? →

Almost one in three private medical insurance patients in England who are receiving hospital treatment have it supplied and financed by the NHS – even though they are able to claim from their policy. Cancer treatment and emergency procedures worth up to £1 billion are being provided by the NHS to patients who are privately covered, according to a new study by health economists, Laing and Buisson, on behalf of private hospital group, HCA International. Continue reading One in three UK Private Health Insurance plans not being fully used →

So let’s be real, the world isn’t pre-designed for people with restrictions such as food allergies. As a food allergy sufferer and a travel extraordinaire, I have come to realize this the hard way. I have also come to realize that if I am proactive about managing my dietary restrictions, most places are more than willing to work with me and often have options for me!  This sure makes a gal feel special! Continue reading Traveling with Food Allergies →