At best, shingles results in a painful and unsightly rash with a few days of feeling unwell. At worse, the shingles can be followed by eye complications, including loss of sight, and ‘post-herpetic neuralgia’, a debilitating complication that can result in many months of unremitting pain and suffering.

The vaccine not only reduces the possibility of developing shingles, but in those who do develop it, the likelihood of severe complications is very much reduced.

At present the supply is not sufficient for the NHS to offer the vaccine, although it may do from late next year. However, the vaccine will then only be offered to those people aged between 70 and 80 years old.

African sleeping sickness (Trypanosomiasis) has been diagnosed recently in European travellers who visited game parks, wildlife reserves and national parks in Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Travellers to cities are not at risk, but tsetse flies are found in woodland and savannah areas. Those touring or hunting in game parks are most likely to be exposed to infected tsetse flies.

Untreated sleeping sickness is fatal, and no vaccine or drug can prevent the disease. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache and aching muscles, and travellers with these symptoms should obtain medical help immediately.

Protect yourself by wearing medium weight clothing, including long trouser legs and long sleeves – tsetse flies can bite through light fabrics. Clothing may be sprayed with permethrin insect repellent. Wear neutral coloured clothing as the flies are attracted by bright colours.
Check the inside of vehicles as the flies are attracted to moving vehicles.
Steer clear of bushes, where the flies rest during the hottest part of the day, but will bite if disturbed.
Most insect repellents used on the skin are not effective against the tsetse fly, but will protect against other biting insects.

Although adult boosters of pertussis vaccine are not routinely recommended in the UK, travellers may wish to consider immunisation.

Being ‘tick aware’ includes avoiding walking in long grass, covering the legs and feet, brushing off clothes and pet’s coats before returning indoors, and using special tick tweezers to remove ticks.
Lyme Disease is easily treated with antibiotics in its early stages, but left untreated can spread to the heart, brain and joints, causing serious chronic illness. Source:ProMED Newsgroup

Travellers to Mexico may wish to consider being vaccinated with the seasonal flu vaccine, which will protect them against swine flu.

Cases of dengue fever (commonly called ‘break-bone fever’) have increased dramatically worldwide in the past few years. Research continues into making an effective vaccine, but this has proved to be very challenging. Meanwhile, the only step that tourists can take is to use effective measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitos, and be aware that dengue is more common in urban areas such as cities and large resorts. Source: WHO