'I was left seriously ill on holiday with deadly disease after touching a cat'
A 26-year-old woman caught a potentially deadly infection while on holiday after she stroked a cat. Alysha, 26, from Leeds, who has asked for her full identity to be kept private, fell seriously ill after catching typhoid while on holiday.
Alysha was left unconscious and dangerously dehydrated on a remote island with no hospital access when she suddenly developed symptoms later diagnosed as salmonella and typhoid fever when her illness was triggered after touching and feeding stray cats. In Thailand alone, it's estimated that there are close to a million stray cats and dogs.
She said: 'It started with severe aches throughout my whole body, almost like my bones were bruised. Then came the fever – I was violently shivering in 34C heat, then vomiting constantly. I couldn't even keep water down – that's when I knew I needed urgent help.'
Alysha was staying on Gili Trawangan, a remote Indonesian island known for its party scene and no-motorbike policy – but also lacking any hospital, pharmacy or emergency medical infrastructure. The hostel staff had to call a doctor directly to Alysha's room because she was too weak to move.
She said: 'The first doctor was amazing and kind despite my phobia of needles. But after he left the island, the second one wasn't as kind. He barely spoke English and left me on a drip that was flowing way too fast.'
When Alysha stood up to go to the toilet, she passed out, later discovering the IV had been set to release three drips per second, a dangerously high rate that should be monitored by trained professionals.
Alysha said: 'I found out later that even one to two drips per second needs constant observation. At that rate, it could have caused a cardiac arrest. It was honestly terrifying.'
Despite being severely unwell, Alysha had to catch a flight to Thailand a few days later and received hospital treatment. Though the journey was 'horrific,' she is now on the mend and wants to share her story to highlight the hidden risks of casual animal contact in countries with lower hygiene standards.
'Everyone tells you to avoid dodgy food, but no one warns you that you can catch serious infections just by stroking stray animals. I hadn't even considered what I might catch – but typhoid is no joke.'
Shuban Kotwal, Product Director at Away Holidays, is urging UK tourists to take precautions when travelling to high-risk areas:
Avoid physical contact with stray animals, no matter how tame or friendly they appear
Get vaccinated for typhoid before travelling to regions where sanitation may be limited – this includes much of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America.
Take out comprehensive travel insurance that covers emergency medical evacuations
Pack a basic first aid kit including rehydration salts, antiseptic, and anti-diarrhoeal medication
Seek medical attention immediately if experiencing fever, stomach pain, or dehydration
Shuban said: 'While a beautiful holiday destination, many regions remain rural or under-resourced, meaning even minor illnesses can become critical without quick intervention. Alysha's experience is a stark reminder that even low-risk behaviours like petting cats can have dangerous consequences when combined with poor sanitation and a lack of access to professional medical care.'
Typhoid fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi (S. Typhi). It mainly spreads through the ingestion of food or water contaminated with an infected person's faeces. It causes prolonged fever, weakness, stomach pain, headache, loss of appetite and sometimes a rash.
Without treatment, it can lead to intestinal bleeding or perforation, which can be life-threatening - with mortality rates of between 10% and 30%. Some people can have recurring symptoms even after initial recovery and a small number of people become 'chronic carriers,' shedding bacteria for years.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I thought my traveller's tummy was just a hangover but I could have died of a bug that kills 100,000 every year
Find out the symptoms of the killer bug below BUG BEAR I thought my traveller's tummy was just a hangover but I could have died of a bug that kills 100,000 every year Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SPONTANEOUS trip around South East Asia took an unfortunate turn for Alysha Pyrgotis when she was left vomiting and with "extreme diarrhoea". A post-party hangover turned out to be a deadly infection which kills more than 100,000 people every year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Alysha Pyrgotis was travelling South East Asia when she was struck down with the illness Credit: SWNS 5 She was on the remote Indonesian party island of Gili Trawangan at the time Credit: SWNS Alysha, 27, was on the remote Indonesian party island of Gili Trawangan in June this year when she suffered the frightening symptoms. She said: "I was bed bound, in a lot of pain with my muscles and my bones. I was a bit delirious. "I couldn't concentrate at all, that's when I started to panic. "The guy I was travelling with at the time started to realise I was quite poorly, I wasn't hungover. "He spoke to the person at the hostel and we had a look online, there weren't any hospitals or anything. "I was on a very small island, there wasn't really healthcare, it was just really unlucky that I was there at the time." A local doctor came out to visit Alysha and tested her blood to discover she had typhoid - a bacterial infection which can kill one in five of those infected if they do not get treatment. The backpacker, from Bradford, West Yorks., believes she caught the infection from something she ate. She said: "I thought I was going to die, to be honest. It was that bad, I was literally like 'this is it'. "I was so annoyed as I was so close to the end of my trip. I'd been ill before, but not that ill before. Tropical virus turned out ot be brain tumour "I was really worried about telling my family - I didn't tell them, actually, because they were having a lot of stress at work at the time. I didn't tell them until after I'd been poorly. "I just thought it was not going to end well for me. I was panicking as I knew I had to leave the country soon, I was really, really scared." Alysha added: "It was just like my body didn't want anything inside it, it was trying to get rid of everything. "I didn't eat anything for the whole time I was really ill - probably five or six days. "Even water, I would sip water and it would come straight back up. I just thought it was not going to end well for me Alysha Pyrgotis "It was a very, very extreme sickness." After six days on a drip in a small, cramped medical shack, Alysha received a negative typhoid test and had to get out of the country. She said: "I had to get out of Indonesia because my visa would run out. I'd spent almost my whole time in Indonesia being sick. "I had to get out, I had a flight to Thailand. "They took me off the drip and the next day I had to fly to Bangkok. "I still was very sick, the flight was horrific. "Even the next few days in Bangkok were very difficult, I couldn't do anything. "The lasting effects of it were still a couple of weeks of not feeling quite right." Symptoms of typhoid fever SYMPTOMS of typhoid fever usually begin within three weeks of being infected but sometimes can take up to six weeks to appear. They can include: high temperature, which may slowly get worse over a few days headache coughing chills, aches and pains feeling tired or sick not pooing as often as normal or finding it hard to poo (constipation) not feeling hungry Tummy ache and diarrhoea are also common, but these usually happen after the other symptoms. Some people also get a rash of light-pink spots, usually on the upper body. This can be hard to see on black or brown skin. If typhoid fever isn't treated, it can lead to serious problems like internal bleeding or an infection in the lining of the tummy (peritonitis). If you suspect you have typhoid fever you should immediately seek medical attention from your GP or by going to the nearest A&E department. It's crucial to inform the doctor about any recent travel, as typhoid is often contracted abroad. Source: NHS The former social media marketing executive was in the middle of a seven-and-a-half-month trip abroad when she came down with the fever. Following a breakup, Alysha made the spontaneous decision to fly out to south Thailand in December 2024. She then visited Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and the Philippines before going to Indonesia. Now, she's urging anyone who visits these countries to ensure they wash their hands and watch what they eat. Alysha said: "I'm not going to say 'nobody pet the stray animals', because that's one of my favourite parts of travelling. "I think washing your hands is really important afterwards, because that's something I really didn't do. "I was in the middle of nowhere petting stray animals and then going about my day for hours and hours without access to any water to wash my hands in, I didn't bring any sanitiser either. "I think general hand washing, being careful with what you eat out there. "A lot of street food you eat isn't kept in clean conditions, it's in a hot country on the street. "Chicken is sat out for hours and the cleaning utensils are probably not cleaned to the standard you would in the west. "I just wasn't careful where I ordered my food from. "I was just eating everything that looked good and smelled good at the time - and that's probably not the wisest thing to do." 5 Alysha initially thought she had a hungover until her symptoms became more severe Credit: SWNS 5 A local doctor tested her blood and told her she had typhoid - which is spread through unclean food or water Credit: SWNS 5 She's now urging others travelling to similar countries to regularly wash their hands and be careful what they eat Credit: SWNS According to the NHS, typhoid fever is spread through unclean food or water. If left untreated it can be fatal due to severe complications like intestinal perforation, internal bleeding, or sepsis. Those travelling in areas where there's a risk of catching it are advised by the health agency to get a vaccination against the illness. Treatment is through antibiotics. But some people who recover from the disease can become carriers who can still spread it for months or even years after. The NHS says regularly washing your hands with soap and warm water, or using sanitiser gel if they're unavailable, as well as using bottled or boiled water and eating thoroughly cooked foods can help to prevent catching or spreading the infection. And you should avoid having ice in drinks and eating raw or lightly cooked meat or seafood and unwashed salad. Dairy products made from unpasteurised milk and food that has been left uncovered can also pose a risk. Typhoid vaccines are recommended for anyone age over one year old when travelling to an area where there is a high risk of catching typhoid. Travellers should try to see a GP six to eight weeks before travelling. The vaccine lasts for three years and comes as an injection or tablets.
Wales Online
5 hours ago
- Wales Online
Welsh farmers given boost after deadly disease outbreak
Welsh farmers given boost after deadly disease outbreak Movement of livestock from England into Wales is still restricted without a negative test Bluetongue virus restrictions in Wales are set to be relaxed permitting vaccinated livestock to cross the border for sale at English markets. From Monday livestock that have completed their bluetongue vaccination course (BTV-3) will be allowed to travel to markets within 12 miles (20km) of the Welsh border. Wales' chief veterinary officer Richard Irvine described bluetongue, a virus spread through midge bites that affects cattle, sheep, and goats, as "a potentially devastating disease". Bluetongue is a viral disease that causes ulcers around the animal's mouth and face. Mr Irvine continued: "As part of keeping our commitment to review of our bluetongue policy we have held regular stakeholder discussions. "From these a phased approach to facilitate autumn sales has been agreed that balances industry needs against the risk of disease incursion. "It is important that we all recognise the implicit and cumulative risk in progressively removing livestock restrictions and the balance that must be struck between the ability to trade and the increased risk of disease incursion. Article continues below "Through discussions the industry also fully recognises their responsibilities, including the need to ensure compliance with the requirements to attend sales and markets, the fundamental role of bluetongue vaccination – and the shared risk and consequences should bluetongue enter Wales. "With the autumn sales approaching we are considering further adjustments to our policy including facilitating breeding sales at bluetongue-approved green markets located in Wales for the sale of BTV-3 vaccinated livestock from England and Wales. "These sales will be able to apply to become bluetongue-approved green markets from mid-September." The movement of livestock from England into Wales remains restricted without a negative test as does transporting unvaccinated animals across the border. English markets would need to organise separate sales exclusively for vaccinated Welsh livestock and comply with stringent conditions. The Welsh Government stated the objective was to halt the virus' spread but those within the farming sector cautioned it could prove "catastrophic" for cross-border commerce. Markets eligible to hold dedicated sales of vaccinated Welsh-only livestock include Bishops Castle, Hereford, Kington, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Ross-on-Wye, and Shrewsbury and they must adhere to specific conditions. Animals attending these markets and returning to Wales must also complete the movement within the same day and are subject to the conditions of a general licence. Animals cannot remain at the market overnight and these animals will not be subject to any pre- or post-movement testing requirements where all conditions have been met. Article continues below Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice .
Sky News
16 hours ago
- Sky News
Waiting for the bailiffs but nowhere to go: Sharp rise in number of disabled homeless people
Chrystal Hendry finished her psychology degree in 2021 and was excited to move to the next phase of her life - working towards becoming a counsellor - when she first became homeless. Chrystal, 30, has spinal muscular atrophy and uses a wheelchair. She needs round-the-clock care, as well as home adaptations, such as a bed hoist and wet room, to live comfortably. Several months after being evicted in 2021, and following a "really awful" period in inappropriate housing, she managed to find somewhere to rent in a different town, where she now lives. It has never been the ideal home - the temporary ramps are a struggle. But it was better than the alternatives suggested by her council, including moving her live-in care team and equipment into one bedroom in an elderly dementia care home. Four years on, she's being evicted again. Chrystal is one of the 70,000 households with a physical disability in England now facing homelessness. Her landlord wants to redevelop the home she lives in and has issued a 'no fault' eviction notice, which has progressed to a court repossession order. Now, she's waiting for the bailiffs to arrive. "It just never ended, it's still not ended four years later. I still can't even think about building a career or giving back to anybody because I'm so consumed with it," Chrystal told Sky News. "At this moment in time, I have no idea where I'm going to go," she said. "For anybody a bailiff knocking on your door is scary, but when you've got fundamental pieces of equipment that you cannot live without it's even scarier." Chrystal's experience is not unique. Among households who approached their local council for homelessness assistance in the latest year, one in five had physical ill health and disability support needs. It's a growing issue - there were nearly 70,000 such households in 2024/25, up from around 40,000 four years earlier, according to Sky News analysis of government data. This represents a 72% increase, more than three times the 20% rise in the overall number of households seeking homelessness support. The number of homeless or at-risk households with a physical disability support need increased more than any other demographic over the period. They now represent 21% of households, up from 13% of households in 2020/21. Councils 'not taking it seriously' Sky News and housing campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa sent Freedom of Information requests to English councils asking how many people were waiting for accessible social housing, and how long they wait on average. Their responses reveal a troubling lack of understanding of accessible housing needs in their areas. Two in three couldn't say how many people with disabilities were waiting, while four in five weren't able to estimate how long they could expect to wait. Kensington and Chelsea Council disclosed one of the longest waits among those who did respond. It said people waited more than six and a half years for accessible social housing, a year and three months longer than for one-bedroom properties. But we don't have the full picture, as most simply couldn't provide figures. "The fact most didn't provide data on this issue shows the lack of seriousness shown towards those with disabilities and their needs," Mr Tweneboa said. "All it takes is for any of us to have an accident and we may need those services. "We also have an ageing population; no doubt more and more people are going to have additional needs," he added. There are five million more people in the UK with a disability than there were a decade ago, according to the government's Family Resources Survey. Mobility issues are most common, affecting just under half of those with a disability. Home builders bypassing 'very simple things' "We currently do not have enough accessible homes here in England," Millie Brown, deputy director for the homes team at the Centre for Ageing Better, told Sky News. "We know that 20% of people are currently living with a disability, but only 13% of homes across England are built to accessibility standards which support them to live healthy and independent lives. "Things such as step-free access to the home, a toilet on the ground level, doors that are wide enough to fit wheelchairs, for example. "Very simple things that make it so disabled and older people can live in their homes independently." These criteria, alongside a 'flush threshold' - where the floor on either side of doorways are level - are outlined as the four basic criteria for accessibility, which 13% of homes in England meet as of the latest data for 2022. It's not always possible to retrofit existing homes to these standards, but campaigners argue they should be mandatory for new-build properties. Plans under the previous government to raise accessibility standards for new homes never materialised and there has been a "lack of action from both the previous government and the current government", said Ms Brown. 'Couldn't even get through the door' Many councils told us they operate a "choice-based letting system" - meaning people waiting for social housing can bid for properties that suit their needs - but that they don't actively monitor applicants' accessibility requirements. Constantly bidding for properties can be an exhausting process, especially for someone like Chrystal. After her first eviction, when she was on North Hertfordshire's housing register, she said she bid for over 100 properties but only secured viewings at six. "None of them were accessible in any shape or form," she said. "In five of them I couldn't get through the front door. Only one of the properties was adapted, but they told me my needs weren't enough, so I was turned down." Now, she doesn't even have the luxury of joining a housing register. Because she moved to a different local authority in 2022 in search of housing, she is now ineligible for support in either her old area, where she hasn't lived recently enough, or her new one, where she hasn't lived for long enough. 'Affordability problems compounded' "The picture across the board is that it's a struggle for everyone at the moment to find a suitable rented home," Deborah Garvie, policy manager at Shelter, told Sky News. She said the biggest difficulty is affordability, especially for those relying on housing benefit, which has been frozen and not kept up with inflation. People with disabilities, or those caring for them, may be particularly affected as they are less likely to be working full time. "There's that big affordability problem which is likely to be compounded for people who either have disabilities themselves or have a household member with disabilities," added Ms Garvie. "And then on top of that you have the physical access problems as well." A parliamentary inquiry into disabled people in the housing sector ended earlier this year and the government has said it intends to set out policies on the accessibility of new homes soon. A Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: "Cases like Chrystal's are unacceptable and is why we are taking urgent and decisive action to ban section 21 evictions, build 1.5 million new homes and give people housing security. "Through our Plan for Change, we will build more accessible housing so everyone has a home that meets their needs, alongside delivering the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation backed by £39bn investment." Broxbourne Council, which is responsible for housing in Chrystal's area, responded: "At present, there are more than 1,600 households on the Housing Register. "Ms Hendry has been provided with a personalised plan to support her to resolve her housing situation which acknowledges that specialist accommodation is required. "It sets out what the council is doing to support Ms Hendry and also details other housing options that she can pursue." Chrystal acknowledges the council has given her a plan, but argues it doesn't provide any real solutions. "I've been told numerous times that they have no housing in the area," she said. "They have told me to look for places to rent, but finding private rentals that I can live in is like finding a needle in a haystack - and even if I do, housing benefit won't cover it. "I'm lucky enough that I can advocate for myself, but there are loads of people in my position that can't do that. "Trying to wade my way through these broken systems is upsetting and frustrating. I get angry because it seems like nobody wants to fix the problem."
