Latest news with #UKHSA
North Wales Live
16 hours ago
- Health
- North Wales Live
UK Health Security Agency issues travel advice for holidaymakers this summer
With summer now upon us, countless Britons are jetting off abroad for some much-needed relaxation. Yet before boarding that plane, it's crucial to stay informed about the latest health and safety recommendations. Dr Anjali Pai from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has championed this cause, creating an informative video packed with essential tips for travellers. As you look forward to your summer break abroad, Dr Pai emphasised that health remains paramount and shouldn't be overlooked. "My name is Anjali Pai, and I am one of the consultants in health protection and one of the border health leads of the UK Health Security Agency," she said in a post shared on X, reports Chronicle Live. Before we go on holiday, there are some things we can all do to reduce the risk of us becoming unwell. "First of all, you can check the Travel Health Pro website, which has got really good information on travelling and things to do before we travel. There are also government advisory websites on travel to other countries, if there are any health risks to be concerned with." With this in consideration, Dr Pai also highlighted the significance of immunisations in avoiding ailments both domestically and internationally. Certain nations require evidence of vaccinations, such as yellow fever certificates, for admission, reports the Mirror. Dr Pai added: "Things like hepatitis A and typhoid can be easily prevented by a vaccine." A further crucial suggestion from Dr Pai involves upholding proper hand and respiratory cleanliness. "A simple thing is hand hygiene," Dr Pai emphasised. "So, just washing your hands for 30 seconds with warm water and soap before you eat, after you go to the toilet, is a really simple measure that can prevent the spread of many infections. "Good respiratory hygiene, and by this, it's just about coughing and sneezing into a tissue, disposing of it sensibly and washing your hands afterwards. Our ChronicleLive Daily newsletter is free. You can sign up to receive it here. It will keep you up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from the North East. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now "There are also other things, such as preventing yourself from getting mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved clothing, using mosquito sprays and mosquito nets. "And finally, safe sexual health is something we should all be practising when we are abroad by using condoms." If you feel unwell after returning to the UK, seek medical attention, regardless of previous visits or where you've lived. NHS Inform offers additional advice: "You should seek medical help even if it's up to one month after you've been travelling. "Always make sure you tell the health professional that you've recently travelled abroad. This is especially important if you have been to a country where malaria is a risk."
Sky News
a day ago
- Health
- Sky News
Health warning issued after UK cases of life-threatening condition linked to Botox-like products
Health officials have issued a warning over botulism, a life-threatening condition that causes paralysis, as multiple people in the UK have developed it after having procedures involving Botox-like products. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said "a number of individuals" have presented with symptoms such as breathing difficulties after having cosmetic procedures involving botulinum toxin, which is best known by the brand name Botox. Investigations so far suggest the use of an unlicensed Botox-like product, the agency added. It is understood the practitioners involved are cooperating with the investigation and no longer offering the injections. The latest cases relate to procedures carried out in the East of England and the East Midlands, and do not relate to recent diagnoses in the North East. A total of 38 cases of iatrogenic botulism have been reported in the UK between 4 June and 14 July. The UKHSA is advising the public to make sure they take precautions with cosmetic procedures, such as making sure their practitioner uses licensed products. It has also told clinicians to look out for botulism in people who have symptoms and may have recently had a cosmetic procedure. Dr Gauri Godbole, consultant medical microbiologist at UKHSA, said: "Botulism related to aesthetic procedures is rare, but it can be serious. "It is caused by toxins produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum. These toxins (but not the bacteria) are the active ingredient in Botox and similar products." "Symptoms of botulism can take up to four weeks to develop," she added. They include drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision, facial muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, slurred speech and breathing difficulties. Anyone who has had a recent botulinum toxin treatment and is experiencing symptoms should contact NHS 111 for further advice. Treatments, including the use of an anti-toxin, should be administered in hospital, the NHS website states. Professor Meghana Pandit, co-national medical director secondary care at NHS England, said: "When these procedures go wrong, there is a risk of serious infections and permanent scarring, which is why only registered professionals like a doctor, a nurse or pharmacy prescriber should be prescribing these treatments. "If you decide to undergo a cosmetic procedure like Botox or lip fillers, there is advice on the website on the questions to ask, including making sure that the person administering it is trained to do it." A spokesperson for Allergan Aesthetics, the sole trademark owner and manufacturer of Botox in the UK, said the company "suspects that the product administered is counterfeit, further underpinning the importance of ensuring you are acquiring a genuine product through reputable and trusted channels. "Allergan Aesthetics' priority is the health and safety of patients and all reports of counterfeit product are thoroughly investigated by our team."
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
UK health agency issues update to anyone with summer holiday booked
The government agency has created an informative video with essential tips for travellers With summer now here, countless Brits are flying abroad for some much-needed holiday time. But before jetting off, it's crucial to stay up to date with the latest health and safety advice. Dr Anjali Pai from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has taken the lead in this effort, creating an informative video with essential tips for travellers. As you eagerly await your summer trip abroad, Dr Pai emphasised that well-being remains important and should not be overlooked. "My name is Anjali Pai, and I am one of the consultants in health protection and one of the border health leads of the UK Health Security Agency," she said in a post shared to X. "Before we go on holiday, there are some things we can all do to reduce the risk of us becoming unwell. "First of all, you can check the Travel Health Pro website, which has got really good information on travelling and things to do before we travel. There are also government advisory websites on travel to other countries, if there are any health risks to be concerned with." Bearing this in mind, Dr Pai also outlined the importance of vaccinations in dodging illnesses both at home and abroad. Some countries mandate proof of vaccinations, such as yellow fever certificates, for entry. Dr Pai contiinued: "Things like hepatitis A and typhoid can be easily prevented by a vaccine." Another key recommendation from Dr Pai is to maintain good hand and respiratory hygiene. "A simple thing is hand hygiene," Dr Pai said. "So, just washing your hands for 30 seconds with warm water and soap before you eat, after you go to the toilet, is a really simple measure that can prevent the spread of many infections. "Good respiratory hygiene, and by this, it's just about coughing and sneezing into a tissue, disposing of it sensibly and washing your hands afterwards. "There are also other things, such as preventing yourself from getting mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved clothing, using mosquito sprays and mosquito nets. "And finally, safe sexual health is something we should all be practising when we are abroad by using condoms." Seek medical attention if you feel unwell after returning to the UK, regardless of prior visits or residence. Further guidance from NHS Inform states: "You should seek medical help even if it's up to one month after you've been travelling. "Always make sure you tell the health professional that you've recently travelled abroad. This is especially important if you have been to a country where malaria is a risk."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Spain and Turkey travel warning over sickness affecting 1 in 10 tourists
UK holidaymakers heading abroad have been urged to take precautions as new data revealed the number of travel-related illnesses. According to the UK Health Security Agency, gastrointestinal (GI) infections remain the most common travel-related illness national - accounting for 65% of cases. And the UKHSA revealed that countries most associated with GI infections among UK tourists are: Turkey (16.2% cases), Spain (10.4%), India (7.9%), and Egypt (6.8%). READ MORE: Seven counties in England set to escape 30C heatwave arriving in weeks Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join Regionally, the West Midlands recorded the highest number of travel-related GI infections in England, according to the UKHSA. There were a total of 477 cases among travellers from the region - representing 17.6% of cases in England. The main bugs causing these infections include cryptosporidium, giardia and salmonella - generally picked up from infected water and food. As holidaymakers gear up for summer getaways abroad, the UKHSA has issued guidance to help tourists avoid travel-related infections: During your trip Practise good hand hygiene by washing hands regularly with soap and water Follow food and water hygiene advice, for example avoid undercooked food and drink bottled water when appropriate Avoid insect and tick bites – use insect repellent and mosquito nets in high-risk areas Practise safe sex If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a country where rabies is found then you should wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water and seek medical advice without delay in order to get post-exposure treatment to prevent rabies After returning Seek medical advice if you have symptoms such as diarrhoea, fever, rash or jaundice Avoid school or work for 48 hours after gastrointestinal symptoms resolve Complete the full course of malaria tablets when you get home Get tested for STIs if you have had unprotected sex
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
West Midlands named worst for common travel-related illness and reason why
The West Midlands has been named the worst place for cases of a common travel-related sickness bug. The region recorded the highest number of travel-related gastrointestinal (GI) infections in England, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). There were 477 cases in the West Midlands, representing 17.6% of the total cases in England. READ MORE: Tragedy as man's body found in West Bromwich canal Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join The UKHSA said the main bugs causing these infections include cryptosporidium, giardia and salmonella – generally picked up from infected water and food. However the region also recorded the second highest rate of enteric fever (typhoid/paratyphoid) nationally, with 67 cases. These illnesses are caused by things like salmonella bacteria, which is more common in countries with less developed sanitary facilities. They can be spread through food and drink, including shellfish affected by sewage entering drinking water. However infections are preventable in all of these cases. Meanwhile, malaria also remains a significant risk for people travelling to endemic areas, with the West Midlands accounting for around 9% of UK cases in 2023 (181 out of 2,106), an increase of 27% on 2022. The reasons for travelling cited by UK cases were visiting friends and relatives (74%), travelling for holiday (20%) and travelling for work (6%). Elsewhere, travel-related measles cases have increased significantly since 2022, reflecting global trends of the disease and increasing levels of travel following the pandemic, with children under 10 most affected. Recent outbreaks have been seen in several other European countries including Romania, France, Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands. Katie Spence, UKHSA Regional Deputy Director West Midlands, said: "The West Midlands is a central transport hub and has a diverse population, so there is a lot of international travel, increasing risk of travel-related infections. "The main infections we are seeing in the region are gastrointestinal and enteric fever, which are preventable, with risk greatly reduced by practicing good hand hygiene and making sure fresh food is rinsed well in clean water. "Measles remains an ongoing risk, both in England and abroad, particularly for children, so it's important to make sure everyone is up to date with their MMR vaccines. "Certain countries also require specific vaccinations, so you should arrange these with your GP surgery in good time before travelling. "The Travel Health Pro website, has detailed country-specific information, including what vaccines to get, any important medication such as malaria tablets, and how to avoid traveller's diarrhoea and other serious gastrointestinal infections. "We want everyone in the West Midlands to enjoy a safe and healthy holiday season, whether at home or abroad. "So whether you're visiting family and friends, taking a mini-break, going somewhere you know well or a more exotic location, there are simple steps you can take before, during and after travel to reduce your risk of picking up an unwanted infection, ruining your trip and having to take time off work or school when you get back. "From vaccinations to basic hygiene, practising safe sex, and being aware of symptoms, there are easy ways to stay well."
