Latest news with #TravelHealthPro
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
New alert as cases of typhoid that kills 1 in 5 hit record high in UK – are you at risk of the Victorian disease?
Typhoid is a bacterial illness that, without swift treatment, can lead to fatal complications such as internal bleeding or ruptured organs BUG BEAR New alert as cases of typhoid that kills 1 in 5 hit record high in UK – are you at risk of the Victorian disease? TYPHOID fever, a disease that notoriously claimed the life of Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, has hit record levels in Britain. With most new cases linked to travellers returning to the UK, health officials are urging Brits to get vaccinated when visiting countries where the disease is rife. 2 Experts have warned cases of typhoid are on the rise in the UK Credit: Oxford Martin School Some 702 imported cases of typhoid and paratyphoid fever, deadly bacterial infections that can kill one in five if untreated, were reported in 2024, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). This marks an eight per cent increase from 645 cases the previous year, and the highest ever recorded. Typhoid is a bacterial illness that, without swift treatment, can lead to fatal complications such as internal bleeding or ruptured organs. It is caused by salmonella bacteria, typically spread through food or water contaminated with infected urine or faeces. Read more on typhoid GLOBAL THREAT Millions at risk as untreatable typhoid strains threaten new health emergency Most British cases are linked to travel to South Asia, including India, Bangladesh, or Pakistan, which has poor sanitation and limited access to clean water Officials have also raised concerns over a troubling rise in antibiotic-resistant typhoid in Pakistan. The mutant strain known as XDR, resistant to standard treatments, has been spreading since 2016, heightening the risk of severe complications. Globally, around a fifth of typhoid cases are fatal, though deaths are less common in countries like the UK. Symptoms of typhoid infection typically appear one to two weeks after exposure. Early signs include flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, cough, and constipation. Cases of Victorian disease that causes 'sandpaper rash and killer complications' surge 42% in a week - is your area affected As the illness progresses, symptoms worsen, with nausea, diarrhoea, and occasionally a rash. At this stage, the risk of life-threatening complications increases significantly. With prompt treatment, such as antibiotics, the infection usually resolves within three to five days. While the NHS offers a free typhoid vaccine for travellers to high-risk countries, no vaccine exists for paratyphoid, which is caused by a related but distinct bacteria. "It is important that travellers remain alert and plan ahead of going abroad – even if you're visiting friends and relatives abroad or it's somewhere you visit often," Dr Philip Veal from UKHSA said. He urged people to visit the Government's Travel Health Pro website for information on what vaccines or medications tourists may need before travelling to an overseas destination. Dr Philip added this was especially important for pregnant people or those hoping to have one in the near future as they could be at heightened risk. 2 Typhoid Mary, nearest, lies in bed at the hospital on North Brother Island around 100 years ago Credit: CORBIS "If you are pregnant or trying to conceive there are special precautions you should take, so please speak to a healthcare professional before planning your trip," she said. While most cases are now contacted abroad, typhoid was once a major public health issue in Britain, killing roughly 16,000 people every year in the 1800s. The disease struck people from all walks of life, from overcrowded slums to royal palaces. Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, succumbed to typhoid fever at just 42 years old. 'Typhoid Mary' Typhoid has long crossed borders, with its most infamous carrier, Irish cook Mary Mallon, who emigrated to the United States in 1884 and settled in New York. She was detained after unknowingly infecting the American families she cooked for through the food she served them. It was believed she carried the disease silently, with no symptoms, infecting between 51 and 122 people with the disease - three of which died. Dubbed "Typhoid Mary," she spent 26 years in quarantine until her death. The nickname has since become a term for someone who spreads disease or other misfortune.
South Wales Guardian
6 hours ago
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
Record number of travel-linked typhoid cases
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has urged people to make sure they have done all they can to prevent infections linked to travel after seeing a rise in cases. New provisional figures from the health body show that there were 702 cases of typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2024 – an 8% rise on the previous year and the highest number ever recorded. Summer holiday planned? Whether you're off somewhere new or returning to a familiar favourite, Dr Anjali Pai shares how to stay safe while travelling, so you can prepare early and beat the summer rush. ✈🔗 Find country-specific advice and vaccine info at — UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) May 12, 2025 Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection and without prompt treatment it can cause serious complications and can be fatal. It is caused by a salmonella bacteria and usually spread through contaminated food and water. A free vaccine is available for some patients at their GP surgery before travel, with travellers urged to check the Travel Health Pro website for information before they go abroad. There is no vaccine for paratyphoid. Meanwhile the UKHSA said that imported malaria cases remain at 'concerning levels' in the UK, despite a slight decrease from the previous year. There were 1,812 cases diagnosed in 2024. The number of dengue cases also appears to have decreased. Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: 'We are seeing high levels of infections such as malaria and typhoid in returning travellers. 'It is important that travellers remain alert and plan ahead of going abroad – even if you're visiting friends and relatives abroad or it's somewhere you visit often. 'The Travel Health Pro website has information on how to keep yourself and family healthy, including what vaccines to get, any important medication such as anti-malaria tablets, and how to avoid gastrointestinal infections such as typhoid and hepatitis A. 'If you are pregnant or trying to conceive there are special precautions you should take, so please speak to a healthcare professional before planning your trip.'
Leader Live
6 hours ago
- Health
- Leader Live
Record number of travel-linked typhoid cases
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has urged people to make sure they have done all they can to prevent infections linked to travel after seeing a rise in cases. New provisional figures from the health body show that there were 702 cases of typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2024 – an 8% rise on the previous year and the highest number ever recorded. Summer holiday planned? Whether you're off somewhere new or returning to a familiar favourite, Dr Anjali Pai shares how to stay safe while travelling, so you can prepare early and beat the summer rush. ✈🔗 Find country-specific advice and vaccine info at — UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) May 12, 2025 Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection and without prompt treatment it can cause serious complications and can be fatal. It is caused by a salmonella bacteria and usually spread through contaminated food and water. A free vaccine is available for some patients at their GP surgery before travel, with travellers urged to check the Travel Health Pro website for information before they go abroad. There is no vaccine for paratyphoid. Meanwhile the UKHSA said that imported malaria cases remain at 'concerning levels' in the UK, despite a slight decrease from the previous year. There were 1,812 cases diagnosed in 2024. The number of dengue cases also appears to have decreased. Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: 'We are seeing high levels of infections such as malaria and typhoid in returning travellers. 'It is important that travellers remain alert and plan ahead of going abroad – even if you're visiting friends and relatives abroad or it's somewhere you visit often. 'The Travel Health Pro website has information on how to keep yourself and family healthy, including what vaccines to get, any important medication such as anti-malaria tablets, and how to avoid gastrointestinal infections such as typhoid and hepatitis A. 'If you are pregnant or trying to conceive there are special precautions you should take, so please speak to a healthcare professional before planning your trip.'
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
New 'high infection' warning issued to Brits planning on travelling abroad
The UK's health authority has issued a warning to Brits planning to travel abroad this summer and beyond, following a surge in cases of enteric fever - typhoid and paratyphoid fever - across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In 2024, there were 702 reported cases, marking an 8% increase from the previous year (645 cases). The data comes courtesy of the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA), which noted that these figures represent the highest number of annual cases recorded thus far. Typhoid and paratyphoid fever are serious illnesses caused by Salmonella bacteria, typically contracted through contaminated food or water. The UKHSA explained that most cases of enteric fever in the UK are acquired overseas, particularly in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene standards. It also highlighted a worrying rise in antibiotic-resistant typhoid in Pakistan, which diminishes the effectiveness of commonly used antibiotics, thereby complicating treatment and increasing the risk of complications. For some travellers, a free typhoid vaccination is available at GP surgeries, although no vaccine currently exists for paratyphoid. The UKHSA also shed light on the latest data concerning imported malaria cases, which it described as "remaining at concerning levels in the UK despite a slight decrease in diagnoses to 1,812 in 2024 from 2,106 in 2023". Malaria and dengue cases It added that the figures "significantly exceed the levels seen in recent years". Most cases were reported during peak summer travel months between July and October. Malaria is potentially fatal, but almost entirely preventable when antimalarial tablets are taken correctly. There were fewer imported dengue cases reported in the first quarter of 2025 compared to last year in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with 65 cases in the first three months of 2025 compared to 254 cases in 2024 – mostly linked to travel to Thailand, Brazil and Indonesia. Dengue cases have increased substantially globally over the past five years, with exceptionally high levels in 2023 and 2024, and the sustained transmission of dengue is an ongoing global health challenge, the UKHSA said. Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: 'We are seeing high levels of infections such as malaria and typhoid in returning travellers. It is important that travellers remain alert and plan ahead of going abroad – even if you're visiting friends and relatives abroad or it's somewhere you visit often. "The Travel Health Pro website has information on how to keep yourself and family healthy, including what vaccines to get, any important medication such as anti-malaria tablets, and how to avoid gastrointestinal infections such as typhoid and hepatitis A. If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, there are special precautions you should take, so please speak to a healthcare professional before planning your trip.'
Glasgow Times
6 hours ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Record number of travel-linked typhoid cases
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has urged people to make sure they have done all they can to prevent infections linked to travel after seeing a rise in cases. New provisional figures from the health body show that there were 702 cases of typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2024 – an 8% rise on the previous year and the highest number ever recorded. Summer holiday planned? Whether you're off somewhere new or returning to a familiar favourite, Dr Anjali Pai shares how to stay safe while travelling, so you can prepare early and beat the summer rush. ✈🔗 Find country-specific advice and vaccine info at — UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) May 12, 2025 Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection and without prompt treatment it can cause serious complications and can be fatal. It is caused by a salmonella bacteria and usually spread through contaminated food and water. A free vaccine is available for some patients at their GP surgery before travel, with travellers urged to check the Travel Health Pro website for information before they go abroad. There is no vaccine for paratyphoid. Meanwhile the UKHSA said that imported malaria cases remain at 'concerning levels' in the UK, despite a slight decrease from the previous year. There were 1,812 cases diagnosed in 2024. The number of dengue cases also appears to have decreased. Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: 'We are seeing high levels of infections such as malaria and typhoid in returning travellers. 'It is important that travellers remain alert and plan ahead of going abroad – even if you're visiting friends and relatives abroad or it's somewhere you visit often. 'The Travel Health Pro website has information on how to keep yourself and family healthy, including what vaccines to get, any important medication such as anti-malaria tablets, and how to avoid gastrointestinal infections such as typhoid and hepatitis A. 'If you are pregnant or trying to conceive there are special precautions you should take, so please speak to a healthcare professional before planning your trip.'
