Nomad Travel is urging travellers to Egypt and India to take extra precautions due to an outbreak of two types of flu in the destinations.
The operator’s medical director, professor Larry Goodyer, advised travellers to plan ahead after an increase in the number of human cases and deaths as a result of the outbreaks.
In Egypt, there has been an outbreak of influenza A (H5N1) virus, while the Government of India is reporting a rise in seasonal influenza activity across India in the early part of the year.
Goodyear said the Egypt bird flu which can be very serious.
“It has been occurring around the world since it was first reported in 2003, but this outbreak is one of the largest seen in a single country, with 88 cases and 26 deaths so far in 2015.
“It is really only contracted by direct contact with birds, so the best advice is for travellers to avoid visiting farms and markets where poultry or other birds might be kept. The ordinary seasonal flu vaccine is not effective at preventing avian flu and, although a special vaccine has been developed, it is not available for general use.”
For India, Professor Goodyer added: “The outbreak in India is of the ordinary seasonal flu variety, where more-than-usual levels of cases were reported for March. Flu can be very dangerous to those at risk from complications, such as the elderly or those with lung problems, and would ruin any trip overseas if contracted.”
He said for India, it is worth considering obtaining the flu vaccine and he also strongly advocated good hand washing using hand sanitizers.
“This not only helps protect against infections such as both types of flu, but also against stomach diseases causing diarrhoea, which are very common in both Egypt and India,” he added.
