Typhoon Nalgae Hits Philippines

Are you going to help in the recovery effort?

The Philippines have been hit with a double dose of destruction and flooding from back to back Typhoons within less than a week's time.  On October 1, 2011 the BBC reported at least one person dead as Typhoon Nalgae hit regions still waterlogged by the earlier storm Nesat, and officials warned of flash floods and landslides.  By October 3, at least 59 were reported dead.

“There is great need for volunteers,” said Fran Lessans, Founder and CEO of Passport Health. “Precautionary measures to consider when entering areas affected by the Typhoons include:
• Up-to-date vaccinations:
o Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertusis (TDaP)
o Hepatitis A and B
o Typhoid Fever
o Japanese Encephalitis (depending on location)
o Malaria Prophylaxes
o Water Purification Devices
o Wound Care Kits
o Anti-Diarrhea Prophylaxes, Medications, and oral rehydration solutions

“Passport Health will make recommendations for vaccines, portable water purifiers, and food, water and mosquito-borne illnesses for each volunteer. In these situations conditions are less than sanitary and we want to make sure no one gets sick. Clean water is an issue right now,” she concluded.

Call 1-888-499-PASS (7277) to reach your nearest Passport Health location or visit us online at http://www.passporthealthusa.com.  

Nasal Vaccine Could Prevent Diabetes

June 14, 2011 – A Nasal spray vaccine for type 1 diabetes could be available in two years, providing hope to thousands of people susceptible to developing the illness.

In a world first, Melbourne researchers have shown the vaccine can switch off the body's immune response to insulin in adults with the disease. This technique also could be used for other auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis (MS).

"It shows that the nasal vaccine will ... suppress the bad immune response to insulin, which is very exciting," said Walter and Eliza Hall Institute's Professor Len Harrison. Type 1 diabetes, which affects about 150,000 Australians, is a condition where the body's immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Sufferers need daily insulin injections to help their bodies convert glucose (sugar) from food into energy. The research, published in the journal Diabetes, provides proof that the vaccine could prevent the disease from developing in at-risk people.

Melbourne teenager, Tara Pritchard is taking part in a separate trial of the nasal spray because her father, Peter, has the chronic condition. Tests revealed she had the antibodies that made her susceptible to developing the disease. "I've always been told that it's likely that I will get diabetes, having this trial gives hope not only to me, but to others, that diabetes could be prevented," the 15-year-old said.

The illness usually emerges in young people, but diagnosis can happen at any age. Prof Harrison said diabetes cost the Australian health system about $600 million each year. "The cost of type 1 diabetes, in personal, social and public health terms is enormous," he said.

The latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report shows type 1 diabetes has increased in young people by 41 per cent in the past decade. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and premature death.

Article by: Lucie van den Berg, Herald Sun (view full article)

Outbreak of polio in Europe investigated

4/19/2011-Technical experts have been sent by the World Health Organization to Tajikistan to investigate an outbreak of seven polio cases in the country.

The outbreak, the WHO says, is the first importation of polio in the European region since Europe was certified polio-free in 2002.

A total of six technical experts from the WHO were sent to the central Asian country. They will be tasked with providing a detailed investigation of the polio cases to determine where what country the virus came from and what actions are needed to prevent any further spread.

Sona Bari, a WHO spokeswoman for the Polio Eradication Initiative, told Voice of America that the new outbreaks were a setback for the WHO's polio eradication campaign and a sober reminder for the need to vaccinate children against the crippling disease.

"Planning is already going on for three large-scale vaccination campaigns," Bari told Voice of America. "There are about 864,000 children under the age of five that we will reach with this vaccine. And, surrounding countries, particularly Uzbekistan and Kyrgyztan are being asked to step up their surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis, which is a sign of polio and to look into their immunization rates to make sure that children are adequately protected in those surrounding areas." 

Tajikistan, Bari said, is close to Afghanistan and Pakistan, two polio endemic countries. It is too soon, though, to call one of those countries the source or this latest outbreak. Genetic sequencing will be employed to determine the country of origin.

Japan's PM Vows to Win Battle Against Nuke Plant

21:45 JST April 1:
Japan's prime minister sounded a resolute note Friday, promising to win the battle against an overheating nuclear plant even as atomic safety officials raised questions about the accuracy of radiation measurements at the complex.

Naoto Kan was grave a week ago when he addressed this nation rattled by fears of radiation that has contaminated food, milk and tap water. But three weeks after a massive tsunami disabled a nuclear power plant's cooling systems, Kan vowed that Japan would create the safest system anywhere.

Japan will "do whatever it takes to win the battle" at Fukushima Dai-ichi, Kan said in a televised news conference. And when the crisis ends, "We will establish a system that could respond to any situation based on an assumption that anything could happen."

While a massive earthquake and tsunami set off a series of events that disabled the plant, the accident has been exacerbated by several missteps along the way. Apparently spotting another mistake Friday, the nuclear safety agency ordered Tokyo Electric Power Co. to review its recent radiation figures, saying they seemed suspiciously high.

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Passport Health is Seeing Relief Workers for Japanese Tsunami

I know you have all seen the footage, but its hard to stop watching the amazing and frightening power of mother nature when the tsunami hits land, destroying everything in its path. Here at Passport Health we have begun to see relief crews who are on their way to aid in the efforts in Japan.

If you are planning to travel to Japan, make sure you are vaccinated. You will want to be up to date on Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (tdap), Hepatitis A & B, Flu and Pneumonia.  It is still early spring and was actually snowing in japan on the day the tsunami hit, so be sure to prepare for cold temperatures.  Food, water and sanitation issues are wide spread so bringing portable water purifiers, diarrhea treatment & prevention kits and first aid kits is highly recommended.

Our thoughts are with all of those effected by the devastation in Japan and our hearts go out to all those who are sacrificing of themselves to help.

THANK YOU!

China jails 8 for selling fake rabies vaccine

Eight people have been arrested in southern China for producing and selling fake rabies vaccines that were used by local clinics and led to the death of a four-year-old boy, state media said Monday.


Authorities in the Guangxi region earlier this year uncovered more than 1,260 doses of the illegal vaccines, most of which had been used in hospitals and clinics in the city of Laibin, the China Daily reported.

The vaccines were produced in an underground workshop and sold for a total of 330,000 yuan (49,250 dollars).
The boy, who had been bitten by a dog, died in December last year after receiving six rabies shots.


Rabies has emerged as a major public health concern in China. The government said last year China was second only to India in annual human deaths from rabies, averaging more than 2,000 per year in recent years.

China has repeatedly pledged to notify the public in a timely manner of any health risks from product safety scandals, which are common and widely blamed on lax supervision of the country’s giant food and drug industry.

Passport Health’s Corporate Director of Business Development and Marketing to attend Africa Travel Association’s Presidential Forum and International Board Meeting in New York

BALTIMORE— 9/20/2010— Jorge Castillo, Passport Health’s Corporate Director of Marketing and Business Development is attending the Africa Travel Association’s (ATA) Fifth Annual Presidential Forum in New York. Mr. Castillo will be representing Passport Health as a member of the ATA’s international board of directors. Passport Health, the nation’s largest private provider of travel medical services and immunizations, is highly involved with the ATA’s work to promote Africa and its business opportunities as well as its tourism industry. The ATA’s Fifth Annual Presidential Forum, hosted by New York University’s Africa House on September 22nd, 2010, will feature:

• His Excellency Idriss Déby, President of the Republic of Chad
• Honorable Fatou Mas-Jobe Njie, Minister of Tourism & Culture, Republic of The Gambia, President of the Africa Travel Association
• Honorable Minister Zita Okaikoi, Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Republic of Ghana
• Dr. Elham M.A. Ibrahim, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy at the African Union
• Honorable Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President, Africa Region, World Bank

Invited to participate in the event are travel experts and professionals from the U.S. and Africa, including tourism ministers, marketing firms, travel agents, tour operators, airline and hotel representatives, the diplomatic community, and the travel trade media among others.

“I am honored to be part of this presidential forum”, said Castillo, “it is crucial in today’s economy to strengthen relationships with emerging African nations, such as The Gambia, Nigeria and South Africa, just to name a few”, he added. Passport Health provides country specific counseling and immunizations to international travelers. “Africa has wonderful tourist destinations as well as business development opportunities which attract business travelers, mission and volunteer workers as well as leisure travelers. It is important to promote and showcase these opportunities and to ensure that travelers are well-informed and immunized prior to their departure,” commented Fran Lessans, founder and CEO of Passport Health.

In an effort to do so, Passport Health is putting together a one-of-a-kind event in October. Mr. Castillo named the event “Rethink Africa” as it intends to shift the perception of Africa and show that Africa is not just about Malaria and Civil Wars. The ATA’s Mid-Atlantic Chapter is endorsing this event. Rethink Africa will take place at Loyola University’s Baltimore City Campus on October 12th, 2010 from 6-9pm. The event will feature a grand musical production by pianist Jimothy Rogers, owner and founder of Tonal Concepts, a keynote address by MD Secretary of State John P. McDonough, as well as statements prepared by President Bill Clinton and Governor O’Malley announcing their support for Rethink Africa’s goals.

Passport Health and the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Africa Travel Association invite you to “Rethink Africa” and enjoy a night of networking, music, and international cuisine.

For more information about Rethink Africa and to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.rethinkafrica.net/.

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Tammy Broghammer
410-727-0556
Tammy.Broghammer@passporthealthusa.com