Disease Outbreaks in 2014, All Travelers Need To Know

2014 has seen the outbreak of old diseases that have been believed to be extinct. WHO is advising travelers worldwide to know about them in order to protect themselves.

Measles and Polio have seen a comeback in 2014. Travel medical assistance companies are advising travelers to avoid travel to infected nations, or go well prepared. The new threat is from MERS, and sadly the awareness of the disease is still very low.

It is strongly advised by medical transport companies to check if any CDC has been issued for the destination the traveler is planning to go to.  It is also advised to always travel with an extensive medical cover to tackle any unforeseen circumstances.

Let’s read a little more about the three diseases –

1. MERS- Middle East Respiratory Syndrome

MERS is a very serious disease that affects the respiratory system of the body. The first case was reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. The reason that it has become a threat is because of its high mortality rate.

Most people mistake the symptoms of cough, fever and breathlessness to be a bout of flu. But in reality the fatality rate is almost 30 percent. The only good news attached to this disease is that no uncontrollable outbreaks have been reported so far. People travelling to Middle East should wash their hands often and keep a close watch on any symptoms.

2. Measles

Measles is a highly contagious and deadly infection, often seen in children. The first symptoms are a mild a skin rash, followed by a runny nose, cough and high fever. Although most children are vaccinated for it, new cases were reported in the US IN 2013. All children and adult should ensure that they are vaccinated for it.

3. Polio

Polio is a dreaded disease that leaves children crippled for life. The WHO supports nations worldwide with all kinds of means in order to eradicate the disease completely. However, in 2014 an International emergency was declared and all nations were asked to take serious steps for eradication.