01/07/09, 21:15:57 UTC

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Typhoid brought back by tourists

telegraph.co.uk

Thousands of people holidaying in exotic locations without being vaccinated or taking the proper medicines are fuelling a rise in dangerous diseases, doctors will warn today.

There has been a 69 per cent rise in the number of cases of typhoid in the UK and malaria remains a big problem.

Experts said low-cost flights and a fashion for exotic holidays in south-east Asia and Africa means more people are bringing infectious diseases home with them.

An analysis of figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) showed a 69 per cent increase in recent years in typhoid cases, with most acquired abroad.

In 2002, 147 typhoid cases were reported in England and Wales, with 101 of those acquired abroad.

In 2006, this had leapt to 248 cases, of which 122 were picked up overseas.

A milder strain of the disease called paratyphoid has shown a 78 per cent jump, rising from 152 cases in 2002 to 270 cases last year.

Between 2001 and 2006 there were a total of 10,889 cases of malaria in the UK and 58 people died.

The figures have prompted health experts to launch a new campaign to spread the message about vaccines, called Valuing Vaccines.

A poll of more than 1,000 people for the launch revealed that one in three were not aware of the types of diseases that could be prevented by vaccination.

Dr Jane Zuckerman, director of the Centre for Travel Medicine at the Royal Free Hospital in north London, who is backing the campaign, said: "The level of public ignorance exposed by these results is extremely worrying.

"If enough of us decide not to inoculate, we run a real risk of spreading disease.

"We have seen vaccine-preventable diseases like typhoid on the increase because people travel abroad to endemic areas without being vaccinated and return sick to the UK."

Five UK health experts are giving their time free of charge to launch the campaign which is being fronted by TV presenter and actor Tony Robinson. His aunt died of diphtheria, which can be prevented with a vaccination.

The survey also found that nearly two thirds did not know that typhoid could be prevented by vaccination. Two out of five incorrectly believed there was a vaccine for malaria. According to the World Health Organisation, around two million deaths each year are prevented by vaccination globally.

Symptoms of typhoid include loss of appetite, joint pain, constipation and fever. Although the disease can be fatal it can be treated with antibiotics if detected early.

Holidaymakers should book an appointment with their GP to discuss precautions for particular countries.

Vaccinations such as hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculous, diphtheria, yellow fever and encephalitis may be needed up to three months in advance or repeat jabs may be required. GPs can also advise on the different types of malaria drugs for particular countries.

 Printable Version  | published Aug 31, 2007