Health Department: “Notice To All Travelers”
The Department of Health is advising all travelers to make themselves aware of current travel health issues and learn about how they can remain safe at this time of heightened international public health threats.
A spokesperson said, “The Department wishes to direct potential travelers to the The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] website [www.cdc.gov/travel] where they can learn what steps to take if they are planning on traveling to, or returning from a region where there is a current outbreak.
“The WHO designated diseases of significant public health interest, at this time, are Ebola, MERS-CoV or Chikungunya.
The designated diseases of significant public health interest are summarized below by the Department of Health:
Ebola:
In keeping with WHO guidance, the Department of Health urges all residents to avoid non-essential travel to Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone because of unprecedented outbreaks of Ebola in those countries. If you plan on going to West Africa you should check travelers’ health updates at www.cdc.gov/travel. For more information, call 800-CDC-INFO.
There is currently an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease, or EVD, affecting five countries in Western Africa (Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria and Senegal) to varying extents. Separately, there is an (unrelated) outbreak of a different strain of EVD in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The CDC recommends that travelers to these countries protect themselves by avoiding contact with the blood and body fluids of people who are sick with Ebola.
If you are arriving back into Bermuda from a country with an on-going Ebola outbreak, you should watch for fever, headaches, and body aches in the next three weeks and for the next 21 days take your temperature every morning and evening, and watch for symptoms of Ebola which include: fever, severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, severe weakness, fatigue, or unexplained bleeding or bruising.
Call a doctor if you get a fever and have any other symptoms, and tell the doctor where you have traveled and that you might have been exposed to Ebola. A ‘fever’ is when your body temperature is 101.5oF / 38.6oC or higher.
For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/travel or call 800-CDC-INFO; or http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/en/ or www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/
The Ebola Virus is one of a group of viruses which cause illnesses associated with high fevers, severe debility and often bleeding complications and death. EVD is transmitted through direct contact with blood or bodily fluids from infected persons or animals.
High-risk activities for contracting Ebola virus include caring for ill persons with EVD, especially outside a healthcare facility; traditional funeral practices which involve handling of bodies of persons who have died of EVD; or contact with items or surfaces contaminated with the bodily fluids or blood of EVD patients. Ebola Virus can also be transmitted in semen up to seven weeks after a patient’s recovery from EVD.
There are no licensed Ebola-specific therapies available at this time. The treatment of EVD is, therefore, largely supportive and focuses on replacement of fluids lost through bleeding, vomiting and diarrhoea, provision of adequate nutrition and the alleviation of discomfort.
There is currently no vaccine available to prevent the transmission of EVD.
The virus is easily inactivated by common disinfectants. Surfaces and reusable objects that have been contaminated with infectious bodily fluids may be cleaned by appropriate concentrations of diluted bleach to prevent transmission.
MERS-CoV:
If you are going to the Arabian Peninsula, the risk of MERS-CoV to most travelers is low, but you should take these steps to prevent the spread of germs: wash your hands often; avoid touching your face; and avoid close contact with sick people.
Symptoms of MERS include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you get sick within 14 days of being in the Arabian Peninsula, call a doctor and tell them where you traveled.
For more information or to learn which countries are affected, call 800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) or visit www.cdc.gov/travel.
Chikungunya:
If you are going to the Caribbean, be cautious about getting bitten by mosquitoes, which spread diseases such as chikungunya and dengue. Mosquitoes bite during the day and night. You can prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellent.
For more information or to learn which countries are affected call 800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) or visit www.cdc.gov/travel
If you were recently in the Caribbean, watch out for fever with joint pains or rash in the next two weeks. If you get sick, see a doctor and tell them that you have traveled to the Caribbean.In December 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) received reports of the first cases of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in the Americas on the island of Saint Martin. Soon afterward, additional cases were reported in other countries in the Caribbean Region.
As of September 6, 2014, cases of chikungunya had been confirmed in twenty CARPHA Member States (CMS). The total number of confirmed/probable cases stands at 9,640 in the Region of the Americas with 1,157 of these being in CARPHA Member States (CMS).
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) continues to test for the Chikungunya virus and has scaled up its capability to meet the increased demand for testing in the Caribbean, in light of the evolving epidemic. CARPHA has the only public health laboratory in the English-speaking Caribbean that conducts tests for the Chikungunya virus.
The Department of Health continues to monitor for these diseases in Bermuda, but to-date we have not seen any confirmed cases.
The WHO reported just last year that Lung Cancer (also trachea, bronchus cancers) caused 6million deaths in 2012.. and in England the five big killers being stroke, heart disease , cancer of lung and liver disease accounted for more than 150,000 deaths in England alone!! England also has the highest rate s of asthma prevalent in the world. Health Secretary jeremy Hunt had planned to address the U.K lagging behind on progress by similar countries on many indicators from ill-health…Just curious how these diseases are being dealt with recently as smoking continues on the rise there and as of 2008 from the GP registers suggested that 6% of Englands population has asthma…Although these may not be communicable, the number of deaths are far more astounding than the reported, alleged 2 1/2 thousand deaths from Eboli, which has now resulted in a three day lock down.in Siere Leone. Can anyone explain, why people are being held at gunpoint in their own countries and are being searched door to door to find out who has or doesn’t have the alleged eboli? The reports are so inconsistent and ambiguous, hard to actually get an idea of its reported emergence.But facts have been reported of thousands of people dying daily from either stroke, heart disease, cancer lung and liver disease(due to alcohol consumption)in England alone.
Does lung cancer, heart disease, or stroke spread from person to person? NO it doesnt. You people gave no idea the magnitude that this disease has the potential to threaten society. Most of the diseases you speak of are self inflicted sue to poor lifestyle choices and preventable to a degree. Its like comparing apples to oranges. Ebola is no light hearted issue. Please don’t travel to these countries as you are taking a huge risk with your life.
The WHO reported just last year that Lung Cancer (also trachea, bronchus cancers) caused 6million deaths in 2012.. and in England the five big killers being stroke, heart disease , cancer of lung and liver disease accounted for more than 150,000 deaths in England alone!! England also has the highest rate s of asthma prevalent in the world. Health Secretary jeremy Hunt had planned to address the U.K lagging behind on progress by similar countries on many indicators from ill-health…Just curious how these diseases are being dealt with recently as smoking continues on the rise there and as of 2008 from the GP registers suggested that 6% of Englands population has asthma…Although these may not be communicable, the number of deaths are far more astounding than the reported, alleged 2 1/2 thousand deaths from Eboli, which has now resulted in a three day lock down.in Siere Leone. Can anyone explain, why people are being held at gunpoint in their own countries and are being searched door to door to find out who has or doesn’t have the alleged eboli? The reports are so inconsistent and ambiguous, hard to actually get an idea of its reported emergence.But facts have been reported of thousands of people dying daily in England from five big killers!
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