Central and Eastern Europe are currently the hottest spots for pandemic flu activity, but activity is also intense in northern India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its weekly H1N1 update today. Flu activity seems to be waning in most of the rest of the Northern Hemisphere, but limited data indicate "high-intensity transmission" in Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt. More than 208 countries and territories have reported confirmed H1N1 cases, with 12,220 deaths.
Click for more details.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Interview with Passport Health's founder.
As founder, president and CEO of Passport Health, Fran (Lessans) brings over 30 years of medical and management experience to Passport Health. Before founding Passport Health, Fran worked in a variety of clinical settings as a registered nurse, educator and health care administrator...
Hear the interview at this site.
Hear the interview at this site.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Currency Exchange Rates
Need help with currency exchange rates and othere financial data related to foreign exchanges?
Try this site (www.x-rates.com)
Try this site (www.x-rates.com)
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Warden Message: Argentina Airport Entry Fee
U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires issued the following Warden Message on December 14, 2009:
This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens that on December 20, 2009, the Government of Argentina will begin charging American Citizens visiting Argentina for business or tourism an entry fee of $131 U.S. dollars. The fee will be collected only at Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport. Once paid, the fee permits multiple entries into Argentina for ten years in accordance with United States visa reciprocity. Americans may pay in dollars, by credit card, or with travelers checks.
See More at this site.
This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens that on December 20, 2009, the Government of Argentina will begin charging American Citizens visiting Argentina for business or tourism an entry fee of $131 U.S. dollars. The fee will be collected only at Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport. Once paid, the fee permits multiple entries into Argentina for ten years in accordance with United States visa reciprocity. Americans may pay in dollars, by credit card, or with travelers checks.
See More at this site.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Female Adolescents Aged 14 to 19 in the United States
Published online November 23, 2009
PEDIATRICS (doi:10.1542/peds.2009-0674)
Results Prevalence of any of the 5 STIs was 24.1% among all and 37.7% among sexually experienced female adolescents. HPV (23 high-risk types or type 6 or 11) was the most common STI among all female adolescents (prevalence: 18.3%), followed by C trachomatis infection (prevalence: 3.9%). Prevalence of any of the STIs was 25.6% among those whose age was the same or 1 year greater than their age at sexual initiation and 19.7% among those who reported only 1 lifetime sex partner.
Conclusions The prevalence of STIs among female adolescents is substantial, and STIs begin to be acquired soon after sexual initiation and with few sex partners. These findings support early and comprehensive sex education, routine HPV vaccination at the age of 11 to 12 years, and C trachomatis screening of sexually active female adolescents.
See Article here.
PEDIATRICS (doi:10.1542/peds.2009-0674)
Results Prevalence of any of the 5 STIs was 24.1% among all and 37.7% among sexually experienced female adolescents. HPV (23 high-risk types or type 6 or 11) was the most common STI among all female adolescents (prevalence: 18.3%), followed by C trachomatis infection (prevalence: 3.9%). Prevalence of any of the STIs was 25.6% among those whose age was the same or 1 year greater than their age at sexual initiation and 19.7% among those who reported only 1 lifetime sex partner.
Conclusions The prevalence of STIs among female adolescents is substantial, and STIs begin to be acquired soon after sexual initiation and with few sex partners. These findings support early and comprehensive sex education, routine HPV vaccination at the age of 11 to 12 years, and C trachomatis screening of sexually active female adolescents.
See Article here.
Vaccines on horizon for AIDS, Alzheimer's, herpes
'Golden era' could bring vaccines against AIDS, Alzheimer's and addictions within 5 years
By Linda A. Johnson, AP Business Writer
On 3:50 pm EST, Tuesday November 17, 2009
MARIETTA, Pa. (AP) -- Malaria. Tuberculosis. Alzheimer's disease. AIDS. Pandemic flu. Genital herpes. Urinary tract infections. Grass allergies. Traveler's diarrhea. You name it, the pharmaceutical industry is working on a vaccine to prevent it.
AP - ADVANCE FOR WEDNESDAY NOV 18; graphic shows market share for leading vaccine manufacturers ...
Many could be on the market in five years or less.
Read more about these exciting developments.
By Linda A. Johnson, AP Business Writer
On 3:50 pm EST, Tuesday November 17, 2009
MARIETTA, Pa. (AP) -- Malaria. Tuberculosis. Alzheimer's disease. AIDS. Pandemic flu. Genital herpes. Urinary tract infections. Grass allergies. Traveler's diarrhea. You name it, the pharmaceutical industry is working on a vaccine to prevent it.
AP - ADVANCE FOR WEDNESDAY NOV 18; graphic shows market share for leading vaccine manufacturers ...
Many could be on the market in five years or less.
Read more about these exciting developments.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Passport Health's FLU Information Page
See our information and resources and get up to date information on the seasonal and H1N1 FLU.
See our FLU page here:
See our FLU page here:
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Hep. A In Australia
Hepatitis A – Semi-dried Tomatoes Australia Update (Victoria)
As reported on the 13th of October last month, The Department of Health and Human Services had received 12 notifications for Hepatitis A in one week in Victoria from persons who reported to have eaten semi-dried tomatoes.
There are now renewed warnings following a further 23 cases of Hepatitis A reported this week, linked to semi-dried tomatoes. So far in 2009 there have been 200 cases reported in Victoria compared to 74 during the same period last year.
As the incubation period of Hepatitis A can be as long as 2 months, it is difficult to find out where that these persons have eaten the product. Victoria's
chief health officer Dr John Carnie said that they are working closely “with the manufacturers and suppliers of semi-dried tomatoes to try and identify the
source.”
Full article here:
As reported on the 13th of October last month, The Department of Health and Human Services had received 12 notifications for Hepatitis A in one week in Victoria from persons who reported to have eaten semi-dried tomatoes.
There are now renewed warnings following a further 23 cases of Hepatitis A reported this week, linked to semi-dried tomatoes. So far in 2009 there have been 200 cases reported in Victoria compared to 74 during the same period last year.
As the incubation period of Hepatitis A can be as long as 2 months, it is difficult to find out where that these persons have eaten the product. Victoria's
chief health officer Dr John Carnie said that they are working closely “with the manufacturers and suppliers of semi-dried tomatoes to try and identify the
source.”
Full article here:
Friday, November 13, 2009
H1N1 6-Month Toll 22 Million, CDC Estimates
By Michael Smith, North American Correspondent, MedPage Today
Published: November 12, 2009
In the first six months of the H1N1 flu pandemic, 22 million Americans fell ill from the virus, the CDC now estimates.
Of those, about 98,000 needed inpatient care, and 3,900 died, according to Anne Schuchat, MD, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
The estimates are higher than initial counts, which included only laboratory-confirmed cases, Schuchat told reporters in a news conference.
"For influenza it's virtually impossible to find every case with a lab test," she said. "These estimates give a bigger picture of what's going on.".....
The agency also broke its estimates down by age group and found that most cases occurred in those under 65:
•For children under 18, there were an estimated eight million illnesses, 36,000 hospital stays, and 540 deaths.
•For adults from 18 through 64, there were 12 million cases, 53,000 hospital stays, and 2,900 deaths.
•For those 65 and older, there were 2 million cases, 9,000 hospital stays, and 440 deaths.
See the full article here:
Published: November 12, 2009
In the first six months of the H1N1 flu pandemic, 22 million Americans fell ill from the virus, the CDC now estimates.
Of those, about 98,000 needed inpatient care, and 3,900 died, according to Anne Schuchat, MD, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
The estimates are higher than initial counts, which included only laboratory-confirmed cases, Schuchat told reporters in a news conference.
"For influenza it's virtually impossible to find every case with a lab test," she said. "These estimates give a bigger picture of what's going on.".....
The agency also broke its estimates down by age group and found that most cases occurred in those under 65:
•For children under 18, there were an estimated eight million illnesses, 36,000 hospital stays, and 540 deaths.
•For adults from 18 through 64, there were 12 million cases, 53,000 hospital stays, and 2,900 deaths.
•For those 65 and older, there were 2 million cases, 9,000 hospital stays, and 440 deaths.
See the full article here:
Thursday, November 12, 2009
A Week With Sea Lions
Check out the travel blog one of our patients shared with us. He had a very exciting and itneresting trip to the Galapagos Islands and shares his thoughts and some great pictures.
A Week with the Sea Lions
A Week with the Sea Lions
The FDA will likely squash the drug industry's social life on the Web.
The Food and Drug Administration is clamping down on the drug industry's use of social media to promote its products.
What do you think?
See the full Forbes article at:
Pharma's Future In Social Media
Laurie Burkitt, 11.11.09, 08:08 PM EST
The FDA will likely squash the drug industry's social life on the Web.
What do you think?
See the full Forbes article at:
Pharma's Future In Social Media
Laurie Burkitt, 11.11.09, 08:08 PM EST
The FDA will likely squash the drug industry's social life on the Web.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Do you have questions about the FLU mist vaccine?
Who should not be vaccinated with the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist®)?
•People less than 2 years of age
•People 50 years of age and over
•People with a medical condition that places them at high risk for complications from influenza, including those with chronic heart or lung disease, such as asthma or reactive airways disease; people with medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure; or people with illnesses that weaken the immune system, or who take medications that can weaken the immune system.
•Children <5 years old with a history of recurrent wheezing
•Children or adolescents receiving aspirin
•People with a history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome that occurred after receiving influenza vaccine
•Pregnant women
•People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs or who are allergic to any of the nasal spray vaccine components.
Learn these and other important facts about FLU Mist at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/nasalspray.htm
•People less than 2 years of age
•People 50 years of age and over
•People with a medical condition that places them at high risk for complications from influenza, including those with chronic heart or lung disease, such as asthma or reactive airways disease; people with medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure; or people with illnesses that weaken the immune system, or who take medications that can weaken the immune system.
•Children <5 years old with a history of recurrent wheezing
•Children or adolescents receiving aspirin
•People with a history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome that occurred after receiving influenza vaccine
•Pregnant women
•People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs or who are allergic to any of the nasal spray vaccine components.
Learn these and other important facts about FLU Mist at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/nasalspray.htm
Views of H1N1 epedemic, New Poll
A new poll shows that a growing number of Americans are concerned about H1N1 (or swine) flu.
http://www.the33tv.com/news/20091103_health_poll_gx,0,7013363.graphic
http://www.the33tv.com/news/20091103_health_poll_gx,0,7013363.graphic
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Estimates of the Prevalence of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, United States
Questions and Answers: EID article ", April-July 2009"
Summary
Through July 2009, a total of 43,677 laboratory-confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1 were reported in the United States, which is likely a substantial underestimate of the true number. Correcting for under-ascertainment using a multiplier model, researchers in this study estimate there may have been between 1.8 million and 5.7 million cases during this time period, including 9,000-21,000 hospitalizations. This article is available online at Emerging Infectious Diseases online.
Learn more: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/eid_qa.htm<
Summary
Through July 2009, a total of 43,677 laboratory-confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1 were reported in the United States, which is likely a substantial underestimate of the true number. Correcting for under-ascertainment using a multiplier model, researchers in this study estimate there may have been between 1.8 million and 5.7 million cases during this time period, including 9,000-21,000 hospitalizations. This article is available online at Emerging Infectious Diseases online.
Learn more: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/eid_qa.htm<
FLU Information for Travelers
•Know when you should avoid travel. If you are sick with symptoms of influenza-like illness, you should not travel.
•Be prepared for health screenings at airports. Airport staff in some countries may check the health of arriving passengers.
•You can prepare for travel by educating yourself about the outbreak situation and screening procedures in your destination country or countries.
•Know what to do during and after your trip. During your trip, follow local guidelines and practice healthy habits.
For more detail see: http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/travelers/index.html
•Be prepared for health screenings at airports. Airport staff in some countries may check the health of arriving passengers.
•You can prepare for travel by educating yourself about the outbreak situation and screening procedures in your destination country or countries.
•Know what to do during and after your trip. During your trip, follow local guidelines and practice healthy habits.
For more detail see: http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/travelers/index.html
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Obama declares flu emergency
Obama declares flu emergency to ease restrictions for hospitals
Officials prepare for a surge in H1N1 cases
By Michael D. Shear and Rob Stein
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Article from the Washington Post
President Obama has declared H1N1 swine flu a national emergency, clearing the way for his health chief to give hospitals wider leeway in how they handle a possible surge of new patients, administration officials said Saturday.
The president granted Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius the power to lift some federal regulations for medical providers, including allowing hospitals to set up off-site facilities to increase the number of available beds and protect patients who are not infected.
Obama said in the declaration that the "rapid increase in illness . . . may overburden health-care resources." White House officials played down the dramatic language, saying the president's action did not stem from a new assessment of the dangers the flu poses to the public....
Complete article available at the Wshington Post.
Officials prepare for a surge in H1N1 cases
By Michael D. Shear and Rob Stein
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Article from the Washington Post
President Obama has declared H1N1 swine flu a national emergency, clearing the way for his health chief to give hospitals wider leeway in how they handle a possible surge of new patients, administration officials said Saturday.
The president granted Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius the power to lift some federal regulations for medical providers, including allowing hospitals to set up off-site facilities to increase the number of available beds and protect patients who are not infected.
Obama said in the declaration that the "rapid increase in illness . . . may overburden health-care resources." White House officials played down the dramatic language, saying the president's action did not stem from a new assessment of the dangers the flu poses to the public....
Complete article available at the Wshington Post.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Packing tips
Any great escape starts with a smartly packed bag. Use these practical solutions to prepare for a well-equipped trip.
PACKING PLAN
Approach your suitcase with a plan in place. Start by creating a checklist catered to the climate of your destination and your planned activities. Lay out every item on your list. Now, start editing — do you have too much, not enough? Can you mix and match certain outfits, or can you substitute one item for many (like one pair of black pants for three pairs of suit bottoms)? Once you've decided on everything you absolutely need, put them into a suitcase in the most space-saving way possible.
SPACE-SAVING STEPS
• Think chronologically as you put things into your bag. Leave what you are planning to wear first for last (place it at the top of your bag).
• Plan to carry absolute essentials such as identification/passports, tickets, cash, itineraries, and medication in your carry-on or on your person — never in checked luggage.
• Transfer any cleansers, shampoos, and creams to travel-size bottles. Fill bottles only 3/4 of the way if there is a chance contents can freeze or expand. Store all bottles in a zip-up plastic bag to prevent leaks.
• Make use of all excess space by putting socks and underwear inside shoes. Pack shoes and belts around the edges of your bag.
PACKING PLAN
Approach your suitcase with a plan in place. Start by creating a checklist catered to the climate of your destination and your planned activities. Lay out every item on your list. Now, start editing — do you have too much, not enough? Can you mix and match certain outfits, or can you substitute one item for many (like one pair of black pants for three pairs of suit bottoms)? Once you've decided on everything you absolutely need, put them into a suitcase in the most space-saving way possible.
SPACE-SAVING STEPS
• Think chronologically as you put things into your bag. Leave what you are planning to wear first for last (place it at the top of your bag).
• Plan to carry absolute essentials such as identification/passports, tickets, cash, itineraries, and medication in your carry-on or on your person — never in checked luggage.
• Transfer any cleansers, shampoos, and creams to travel-size bottles. Fill bottles only 3/4 of the way if there is a chance contents can freeze or expand. Store all bottles in a zip-up plastic bag to prevent leaks.
• Make use of all excess space by putting socks and underwear inside shoes. Pack shoes and belts around the edges of your bag.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
PharmaLive: Sanofi Pasteur Announces Results of U.S. Clinical Trials in Adults Following One Dose of Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine
PharmaLive: Sanofi Pasteur Announces Results of U.S. Clinical Trials in Adults Following One Dose of Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine: "Sanofi Pasteur Announces Results of U.S. Clinical Trials in Adults Following One Dose of Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine"
Friday, August 14, 2009
Tell us what you think
Here is your chance to tell us about your trip(s) and travel, share experiences and photos, share breaking medical information as it relates to travel health and wellness.
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