Japanese Encephalitis Fights For Territory: Vaccination’s Our Weapon!

This year, we have seen in news around certain parts of the world of unexpected outbreaks of diseases we thought were neutralized. Outbreaks and epidemics over the course of history has been responsible for many deaths. Many societies have taken precautions and drastic measures when it concerns threats to our health. For certain diseases for example, the World Health Organization (WHO) assists with providing emergency stockpiles of vaccination for rapid responses to countries that have high endemic rates.

Japanese Encephalitis is one of the deadly diseases that has recently made its presence known in Hong Kong, China. In the Tin Shui Wai district of Hong Kong, there have been three reported cases of the disease in only one week and a half. The third reported case occurred about two days ago in a 13-year old boy which has prompted many residents with symptoms of the disease to seek medical attention. Japanese Encephalitis is a viral infection that is transmitted through mosquito bites. The first symptoms are flu-like and occur during the incubation period. Later symptoms in the encephalitic stage are much worse. Neck stiffness, cachexia (loss of weight due to loss of appetite, fatigue), hemiparesis (the complete weakness of one side of the body), convulsions, high fever levels (100.4 to 105.8 °F), and neurological damage take place which in turn can lead to brain swelling, seizures, and long-term nerve and brain damage.

Even though cases of the disease have occurred around the world, it is endemic primarily in Asia. With cases ranging between 20,000 to 50,000 annually, it is the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. WHO states that there could be many more unreported cases worldwide. Epidemics can take place in endemic regions and can increase mortality rates in unvaccinated humans and animals. Before the legalization of an effective vaccine in the 1950s, 4,000 people died during a 1924 epidemic in Japan, and nearly 2,500 died in South Korea in 1949. Though certain countries throughout Asia have controlled the spread of the disease with large-scale distribution of the vaccine, the Japanese encephalitis virus has slowly expanded its geographic range outside of Asia becoming endemic in certain parts of Australia and Indonesia. Increased risks of major epidemics can occur if the virus spreads to a new region. According to the Center for Food Security and Public, the virus has potential to become endemic in the United States.

There is no known treatment for the virus but certain drugs in recent years have been in development to either reduce viral replication or build up neuroprotection in cell lines. At this time though, no experiment or treatment has been approved for humans. Vaccination is recommended for those who are planning to travel to regions where the virus is prevalent or are planning to engage in outdoor activities in endemic regions. Vaccination has become so important in prevention and neutralization that in areas throughout Asia, vaccination programs have been launched. In April of this year, the health ministry of the Indian state of Bihar launched a vaccination drive for more than 1.8 million children against Japanese Encephalitis. To meet increasing demand for vaccines, a new plant was built in Beijing, China.

If you are planning to travel, be sure to research the health conditions of the region when you begin to make plans. Japanese Encephalitis Travel Vaccination should be taken approximately 6 weeks before travel. The vaccine is given in a two dose series with the final dose given 28-days later. For more information, visit us at our website at www.travelclinicny.com or call us at 212-696-5900 to schedule an appointment. A clean bill of health is always bliss!

The Afterthought That Should Not Be: Japanese Encephalitis Vaccination

Every year here in the United States, especially in New York City which many consider the capital of the world, more than 60 million tourists visit coming from countries all around the world. It is an incredible number that many would be surprised to learn about, but considering the 100 million+ people that leave this country to travel, whether it is for business or for pleasure, sometimes health concerns and the conditions of the environment they are visiting becomes an afterthought.

 Take Asia for example. Many people are fascinated by the beaches, the major historical landmarks such as the Great Wall of China and Tiananmen Square, but many are unaware of their vulnerability to certain epidemics that are existent. Japanese Encephalitis is one of the most common viruses that is prevalent throughout most of Asia and certain parts of Africa (specifically the northeast and the sub-Saharan) and is also one of the deadliest with no known cure for it. If an individual who is infected does not seek medical attention of any sorts in time, the virus can become fatal. The virus is transmitted through mosquitoes. Symptoms that accompany the virus are flu-like (headaches, fever, malaise) in its first days of infection but this is during its incubation period which lasts between 5 to 15 days.

Once the virus advances to the encephalitic stage, the symptoms worsen greatly causing neck stiffness, cachexia (loss of weight due to loss of appetite, fatigue), hemiparesis (the complete weakness of one side of the body), convulsions and increased body temperature to critical levels (100.4 to 105.8 °F). Neurological damage can be severe as well including swelling of the brain, seizures, and long-term nerve and brain damage which in turn can lead to mental retardation and even coma. The risks of Japanese Encephalitis varies depending on the individual’s destination, duration of visit, season of the year, and planned activities.

            As with many other viruses that have no cure, vaccination is being highly recommended to prevent infection especially for travelers. Many of those who take the Japanese Encephalitis vaccination are bestowed with life-long immunity to the virus. A couple of minutes at an appointment to receive vaccination is definitely worth it. Especially if you are traveling this summer to the far-east or are a visitor from Asia or other countries where the virus is prevalent and are planning to return there at some point in the summer later in the year.

It is very important to take the vaccination 6 weeks before you travel so the vaccine can be given time to work through the body. Side-effects are not severe and range from swelling and redness in the area of the vaccine shot to fever. The vaccine’s effects may last between a one to three year duration and there is no evidence that the effects last beyond that, so boosters are recommended every three years for individuals at risk.

            It is a priority to never let health risks become an afterthought. Of course, this doesn’t mean that we are all of sudden going to live in a state of paranoia. On the contrary, this is a means to take care of your health which as I have said before is the most precious yet the most sensitive entity we have. Many times, individuals become ill when least expected and don’t know how or when it occurred. Due to the fact that many illnesses in their primitive stages display flu-like symptoms, it is hard to detect whether the illness is a common cold or something else and Japanese Encephalitis is no different. Vaccination is considered one of the most important factors in preventing infection. For more info, visit us at our website at www.travelclinicny.com or call us at 212-696-5900 to schedule an appointment if you are considering vaccination at a certified NYC travel clinic. A clean bill of health is always bliss!

The Splendor of World Travel & Protection Via Vaccination

Worldwide travel is a hoot. If you haven’t done it yet, you really should! Sure it can wind up costing tons of cash—but it really doesn’t have to! No way, travel on a budget is totally possible and in some ways much more rewarding. For one thing, you are not artificially separated from the locals by expensive hotels and restaurants. There are bunch of things one must do before jetting off and visiting a certified travel clinic for an immunization or two is a great idea depending on where you are going.

Immunization is another word for vaccination and they are administered to combat and protect against any diseases that may be lingering in your country of destination. Diseases, you say? Yeah, but they’re nothing to worry about—even if according to the World Health Organization there are at least six thousand rare diseases and over twelve thousand other categories of disease across the globe. Sure the numbers seem dire, but that shouldn’t keep you from beginning to travel—one need only worry about contracting a microscopic percentage of existing diseases while traveling—and an immunization is available for each one.

Of course, we are being a tad light-hearted, but the facts are the facts, the world is a dangerous place, there’s no way around this. Yet, even though one may need a little extra protection against disease via an immunization while traveling, this no excuse to sit home and never experience the world in a first-person manner. Once you begin to travel, chances are you will never stop. It can be like an addiction; an addiction to other cultures, wondrous sites, delicious food, and friendly foreigners. These things all coalesce to make world travel one of the highlights of any fulfilling lifetime.

So where to go? Is there a place on earth that is more dangerous in terms of indigenous disease than any other? Well, yes, that continent is probably the continent of Africa. Once again, however, with the help of a certified travel doctor and his immunization skills, one can behold the splendor of wild elephants at a watering hole bathing themselves with their spraying trunks or even take up residence with a tribe such as the Masai, whose Kenyan culture is fascinating and whose welcoming attitude is famous worldwide.

One of the most dangerous diseases—and one for which an immunization is surely needed—is yellow fever. Yellow fever is a potentially deadly disease still a threat in many areas of the world, not just Africa. A yellow fever immunization is recommended if one is planning to travel to Africa, Central and South America, and/or parts of Asia. It is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, thus making it difficult to halt its devastating path.

Other travel related diseases that have an immunization available are malaria, typhoid and Japanese encephalitis. The process of immunization is commonly administered by a single injection. A rabies immunization, however, is up to five shots (though this is the exception rather than the rule). Receiving a travel immunization is very safe and affordable, and significantly lowers the risk of catching any disease while abroad.

If currently in the NYC area and in need of a certified travel clinic for an immunization or any other reason, please log onto TravelClinicNY.com for more information on one of the city’s most respected healthcare facilities of its type. Dial 1-212-696-5900 to arrange an appointment at this conveniently located midtown clinic. While there you can expect discretion and affordability.

Travel To Cambodia To Experience Breathtaking Angkor Wat The Magical Temple Complex & Prudent Protection Via Inoculation

For the non-denominational spiritually-minded amongst us, nowhere on Earth conjures such mystical feelings as the famed temple complex at Angkor Wat, Cambodia. A simple gaze at its spectacular geometrical towers against the bright sun-streaked sky (or even better: under the yellow moonlight of a star-studded evening) and one feels closer to whatever deity he or she currently holds closest to their heart. There is a mysterious aire to this destination, as if the prayers and esoteric beliefs of millions of ancient devotees are somehow synergized directly into its strange and secretive stone carvings. However, in this era of non-arcane points of view and the almost-complete failure of mystery schools for the knowledge of medical schools, a visit to a travel vaccination clinic may offer better protection than a talisman or amulet of your particular divination when visiting this complex complex.

This priceless and shining jewel of Cambodia is the largest Hindu temple in the world, dwarfing others by great magnitude. Its iconic shape and structure adorns the national flag and is known worldwide for its pilgrims. In fact, this twelfth century labyrinthine religious place is still a prime destination for pilgrims of not only the Hindu faith—but for millions of others who are absorbed by its aesthetic beauty, respect for its culture, and veiled-but-profound sculptures of deities, demigods and demons. Cambodia is a region of the world still infused with magic. Unfortunately, their reliance on this mystical way of life may have contributed to its high infant mortality rate, almost nonexistent industrialization, and its high ranking as a source of infectious disease. For anyone planning on traveling to this spiritual paradise it is highly recommended that they visit a travel vaccinations clinic four-to-six weeks before the beginning of their trip to help protect against contracting one or more of Cambodia’s dangerous diseases.

                                                                       

According to all reigning disease specialists—including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—the sheer number of infectious diseases still continuing to be contracted in Cambodia compiled can create quite a frightening list. Things often look worse on paper than they do in the real world, so remember that if Cambodia is calling for business or pleasure, for religious reasons or any other, a simple vaccination or two can protect you against becoming infected with any or all of its insidious sicknesses.

The list of diseases virulent in Cambodia that a vaccination may be recommended for at a travel clinic of your choosing include:

Hepatitis A

This is a viral disease that interferes with the liver’s functioning and is spread through ingestion of food or water contaminated with fecal matter.

Hepatitis E

A water-borne viral disease that also damages the functioning of the liver.

Typhoid fever

A bacterial disease spread through contact with food and/or water contaminated by sewage or fecal matter.

Malaria

A worldwide killer, Malaria is caused by the parasitic protozoa Plasmodium which is transmitted to humans through the bite of the female mosquito. The interruption of blood supply to the brain can cause damage to vital organs and death.

Dengue fever

A mosquito-borne (Aedes aegypti) viral disease associated more with urban living than jungle and that begins with a sudden fever and head pain.  Death occurs in approximately five percent of cases.

Japanese Encephalitis

A mosquito-borne (Culex tritaeniorhynchus) viral disease associated with rural areas in throughout all of Asia. Can cause paralysis and/or coma and death rates of this insidious disease can be as high as thirty percent of those acutely infected.

If travel to the wondrous Angkor Wat, Cambodia is in your future, please get to a licensed travel clinic for an in-depth consultation with a board-certified doctor regarding what vaccination (or vaccinations) would be best for you. This decision can be best made by a medical professional who will closely peruse your itinerary in order to pin point the most dangerous diseases that may be in your vicinity.  This is calculated through season, age, general health of the traveler, etc. and should only be made by a certified travel doctor.

If you are in NYC, please log onto Cambodia vaccination for more information on the city’s premiere travel clinic of its type. Call 1-212-696-5900 to arrange an appointment. They are discreet, affordable, friendly and conveniently located just blocks from Grand Central Station. Enjoy your trip.

The ABCs of Travel Vaccination

Getting ready for a big trip can be busy and confusing, especially if you’re going somewhere new or far away.  Luckily getting the right vaccinations is as easy as ABC.  In fact, you only need to remember one letter to keep all your necessary vaccinations straight: the letter R.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) organizes vaccines related to travel into three categories: Routine, Required, and Recommended. Keeping informed and up-to-date on the information for each category will make the travel vaccination process as quick and painless as possible as getting a shot can be!

Routine: Chances are if you grew up in the United States you received most or all of the listed routine travel vaccines, including hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus shot, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella.  Depending on your age, you may’ve also been vaccinated against tuberculosis, rotavirus, meningitis or varicella.  While all fifty states have specific requirements for childhood vaccinations to be obtained before entering and while attending public school, there aren’t any federal laws, so check in with your physician.  Additionally, some shots require boosters after a certain amount of time; a tetanus shot, for example, should be re-administered every ten years in adults.  Some diseases that are no longer prevalent in the United States still have a presence in other countries, so it’s important to keep your routine vaccinations current.

Recommended: The Center for Disease Control’s list of recommended vaccines varies largely on a country-to-country basis, so check their website and be sure to share your itinerary with your travel health provider.  The CDC’s website has a comprehensive A to Z country listing featuring important travel information for every destination, including immunization and malaria medication recommendations, and up to the minute health bulletins, a valuable tool for any traveler.  Some vaccines that are commonly recommended for travelers, but remain outside the realm of the routine American immunizations are the vaccinations against typhoid and Japanese encephalitis.  Additional immunizations, such as a rabies vaccine, may be required if you’re working with livestock or plan to spend a lot of time in rural areas, so share your activity plans with your doctor as well. 

Additional Seasonal and Patient Health-Based Recommendations: Because airports and planes are overcrowded and have poor air circulation, you may consider getting the influenza vaccine, particularly if you’re travelling during flu season.  For those with asthma or compromised immune systems, an up-to-date flu shot is recommended year-round. Depending on your age and preexisting health conditions, your travel health provider may also include the pneumonia and shingles vaccines on the list of recommendations.

Required: The only vaccine currently required by international regulations is the yellow fever vaccine, mandatory for entry into certain African and South American countries.  Travelers entering these countries will be asked to produce a certificate verifying their receipt of the vaccine upon their entry into the country.  The immunization against viral meningitis is also required for entry into Saudi Arabia during the yearly period of the hajj pilgrimage.

It is recommended that you receive your vaccinations four to six weeks before you travel; this will give the vaccines time to spread through your body and take effect, so make an appointment with your travel health provider as soon as possible!

If you’re based in New York, you can visit the Travel Clinic of New York, where certified travel health providers offer competitive rates, evening and weekend office hours, travel medicine and immunizations (including yellow fever vaccination), and personalized consultations to teach you the ABCs of travel clinic and health on the go!

Traveling Through India? Get Your Vaccinations!

Back in 1632, Emperor Shah Jahan began construction for his late wife’s mausoleum in Agra, India. Almost four centuries later, the Taj Mahal stands as one of the world’s most romantic acts and greatest monuments in history.

          Created and domed with precious white marble, the building employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen, and took about a year to complete. With its vaulted archways, arched balconies, elegant wall calligraphy, incised painting, finial floor tiling, graceful gardens and so on, the Taj Mahal is set on the checklist if you’re traveling through India.

          Don’t start packing your bags yet though.  There are a few other things on the checklist you need to get done before you even step foot in the country. Let’s start with travel vaccinations.

          For all the fun activities and amazing sights to enjoy, there are a number of illnesses and diseases you can easily contract in Southeast Asia. Among them include Whether caused by tetanus, polio, typhoid, hepatitis A, cholera, diphteria, hepatitis B, rabies, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis. While some of them you may have received at a younger age and others seem irrelevant, you don’t want to be taking chances.

          Not only will they disrupt and potentially ruin your vacation, some can cause permanent damage or even death. Whether by food contamination, insect/animal bites, or personal contact, there’s no way you want to be feverish with severe pain gripping your stomach while touring the Taj Mahal.

          If you’d rather not risk it, stop by your doctor’s to get India travel vaccination in NYC. It takes a fairly short amount of time compared to if you were suffering in India. So set off for your southeast adventure, but first, make sure you’re prepped.

          Need a doctor who work in a travel clinic in NYC? Try ours! Located at 274 Madison Ave. Suite 304, (or check out www.travelclinicny.com) I guarantee we can help make your vacation a success.

NYC Dwellers Take Heed!Vaccines are Needed for World Wide Travel

The world may be alive with the sound of music—but it is also alive with tons of dangerous viruses and bacterium just waiting to infect your healthy flesh and cause intense pain and suffering. If you are from NYC and plan to travel anywhere on the planet protect yourself via vaccines.

In the old days, the explorers would wonder here and wonder there catching yellow fever and typhoid willy nilly. There’s no reason to suffer these indignities any longer. Vaccines exist and we should take full advantage of them. Especially for us softened NYC travelers…

 Diseases that still ravage this wide world range from polio to Japanese encephalitis, from malaria to cholera. These dangers do not lurk only in history books, they are out there waiting to strike. That’s where a NYC certified travel clinic comes into the mix.

 These facilities offer professional analysis of your travel itinerary, and recommend the precise vaccine for the part of the world you are planning on traveling to. Allow the experts to make these decisions. The consequences are way too serious for anything else. 

Vaccines are administered as simple shots—needles—and if you think about it, they hurt much more in your head than in real life. The protection that these travel vaccines provide against these scourges of ancient and contemporary times is well-worth a simple pin prick. Acquiring yellow fever, for instance, and obtaining kidney and liver failure instead of sitting for a 20 second shot, makes no sense whatsoever. 

Okay all you NYC dwellers, if you need a certified travel clinic to administer a travel vaccine or for any other reason, log onto NYC Travel Clinic website. They are an awesome clinic located just two blocks from Grand Central Station (and thus easily accessible by all buses and subways lines). Call 1-212-696-5900 to arrange an appointment at your convenience. Protect yourself from the danger. Don’t think twice.