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Background: Travel insurance represents the most important safety measure for travellers in case of unfortunate events incurred during travel abroad. There are many travel insurance companies which offer services to residents of their state under a wide range of terms and regulations. Objective: This study attempts to explore the different types of medical coverage policies offered by travel insurance organizations operating in the Republic of Ireland. Methods: A web-based content analysis using the Google search engine was performed. Results: Total 16 travel insurance policies were identified for analysis. Each insurance policy identified provides a different travel health cover plans to policyholders, particularly tourists embarking on international journeys. The variance in medical coverage offered by the insurance companies depends on their business strategy and product differentiation. There were differences among the companies offering travel medical insurance. Total 6 out of 16 medical travel plans in the Irish market offer cover for pre-existing conditions provided that clients submit themselves for medical screening tests and pay higher premiums. Only 4 companies offer cover to older travellers and there are 2 travel insurers who specifically excluded acute mental illnesses in their basic cover plan. Conclusion: All the insurance firms within the Irish market insure unexpected illnesses or disorders, dental care, funeral services costs in the event of death, and medical evacuations. However, few policies consider covering unlisted medical conditions such as cancer, mental and heart disorders unless the traveller pays extra premiums.
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ABSTRACT Ciguatera poisoning is the most common form of non-bacterial food-poisoning from fish worldwide. The incidence among Brazilians returning from high-risk regions is unclear because it is not a mandatory reportable disease. We describe a previously healthy 53-year-old Brazilian woman developed Ciguatera fish poisoning while traveling to Havana, Cuba. Physicians and health care professionals should advise travelers to avoid eating ciguatoxic fish species and potentially toxic fish species in the Caribbean islands. Despite the prognosis for most cases is good with a short duration of self-limited symptoms, early recognition of the identifying clinical features of ciguatera can result in improved patient care.
Subject(s)
Humans , Animals , Female , Middle Aged , Travel , Ciguatera Poisoning/diagnosis , West Indies , BrazilABSTRACT
Objective To prospectively study the changes of venous blood before and after travel by high speed train.Method From December 2013 to August 2015,following the appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria,50 volunteers and 20 high speed rail crew member were recruited.Blood samples were collected,and lower extremity venous ultrasound was performed in general information,and recorded activities (including walking distance,number of steps,etc.) and drinking water volume,before and after travel.Results After 5 hours in the train,in all the participants venous blood coagulation indicators were on the rise.Doppler ultrasound examination showed:the lower extremity venous diameter increased,the venous return slowed down,the leg circumference diameter increased (all P ＜ 0.05).High speed rail crew had increased leg circumference (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion 5 hours high-speed train travelling increases the likelihood of economy class syndrome.High speed rail crew working 10 hrs are with increased circumference of the lower extremity veins.
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Objective To prospectively study the changes of venous blood before and after travel by high speed train.Method From December 2013 to August 2015,following the appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria,50 volunteers and 20 high speed rail crew member were recruited.Blood samples were collected,and lower extremity venous ultrasound was performed in general information,and recorded activities (including walking distance,number of steps,etc.) and drinking water volume,before and after travel.Results After 5 hours in the train,in all the participants venous blood coagulation indicators were on the rise.Doppler ultrasound examination showed:the lower extremity venous diameter increased,the venous return slowed down,the leg circumference diameter increased (all P ＜ 0.05).High speed rail crew had increased leg circumference (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion 5 hours high-speed train travelling increases the likelihood of economy class syndrome.High speed rail crew working 10 hrs are with increased circumference of the lower extremity veins.
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O presente projeto de pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar as condições higienicossanitárias, no preparo de refeições por caminhoneiros e o seu conhecimento sobre higiene dos alimentos. Este estudo, de delineamento transversal, foi realizado com cinqüenta caminhoneiros que passaram pelo Sistema Ecovias, na região de São Bernardo do Campo, no período de março à junho de 2012. A coleta de dados foi realizada a partir de um questionário sócio demográfico e de conhecimento higienicossanitário e checklist baseado na Resolução RDC-216 de 15 de setembro de 2004 e Portaria CVS 6 de 10 de março de 1999. De acordo com os resultados encontrados, utilizando a análise estatística de qui-quadrado e análise de variância, a maioria dos caminhoneiros encontrava-se em sobrepeso e obesidade (84%). Neste grupo encontravam-se aqueles que ficavam fora de casa viajando por mais tempo, dormiam menos horas por dia e eram mais jovens. A avaliação da concepção higienicossanitária dos entrevistados encontrou-se não satisfatória, com 28% de não conformidade, em relação à higienização de utensílios e equipamentos, e ao armazenamento de alimentos perecíveis no veículo. Dentre os itens avaliados pelo checklist do caminhão, o armazenamento de alimentos refrigerados, uso de utensílios no preparo de refeições, e ausência de pragas urbanas apresentaram não conformidades. A partir dos resultados foi elaborada para os caminhoneiros uma cartilha orientativa sobre preparação de refeições e alimentação como devolutiva. Estes achados revelam a necessidade de intervenção nutricional e educativa neste grupo a fim de melhorar o perfil nutricional e os conhecimentos e práticas de manipulação.
This research project aimed to evaluate the higienicossanitárias conditions, to prepare meals for truck drivers and their knowledge of food hygiene. This study, of a cross-sectional structure, was conducted with fifty truck drivers who underwent the Ecovias system in the region of São Bernardo do Campo, from March to June 2012. Data collection was conducted with a socio-demographic questionnaire and hygienic-sanitary knowledge and CheckList based on the RDC-216 Resolution, of September 15th, 2004 and CVS 6 Portary, of March 10th, 1999. According to the results found, using statistical analysis of Chi-square and analysis of variance, most truck drivers were overweight and obese (84%). ln this group there were those who were traveling away from home for longer, slept fewer hours per day and were younger. The evaluation of the interviewed's concenption on hygienic and sanitary knowledge was not satisfactory, with 28% of non-compliance in relation to the cleaning of utensils and equipment, and storage of perishable food in the vehicle. Among the items evaluated by the truck's CheckList, refrigerated food storage, use of utensils to prepare meals, and lack of urban pests showed noncompliance. From the results, a prime guidance was designed for truck drivers on preparing meals and eating as a return. These findings reveal the need for nutritional intervention and educational in this group in order to improve the nutritional profile, knowledge and food handling practices.
Subject(s)
Humans , Food Storage/methods , Food Safety , Food Handling , Meals , Brazil , Automobile Driving , Sanitary Control of TravelersABSTRACT
Background: Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have widely been used in the diagnosis of malaria. Although the effectiveness of RDTs for malaria has previously been described in many reports, the low performance of RDTs particularly for <i>Plasmodium ovale</i> malaria in travellers have rarely been reported. Methods: This was retrospective cohort study conducted among Japanese travellers who were diagnosed with malaria at the National Center for Global Health and Medicine between January 2004 and June 2013. Diagnosis of malaria by microscopic examination, RDT, and polymerase chain reaction were performed for all the patients. The RDTs used in our study were Binax NOW Malaria (Binax Inc., Scarborough, Maine, USA) (BN) and SD Malaria Antigen Pf/Pan (Standard Diagnostics Inc., Korea) (SDMA). We compared the sensitivity of the RDTs of <i>P. ovale</i> malaria with that of <i>Plasmodium vivax</i> malaria. Results: A total of 153 cases of malaria were observed, of which 113 patients were Japanese travellers. Nine patients with <i>P. ovale</i> malaria and 17 patients with <i>P. vivax</i> malaria performing RDTs were evaluated. The overall sensitivity of RDTs for <i>P. ovale</i> malaria was 22.2% and that for <i>P. vivax</i> malaria was 94.1% (P < 0.001). The sensitivity of SDMA for <i>P. vivax</i> malaria was 100% and that for <i>P. ovale</i> malaria was 50%. The sensitivity of BN for <i>P. vivax</i> malaria was 90.0%; however, it was unable to detect the cases of <i>P. ovale</i> malaria. Conclusions: The sensitivity of RDTs was not high enough to diagnose <i>P. ovale</i> malaria in our study. Thus, microscopic examination is indispensable not to overlook <i>P. ovale</i> malaria.
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Background: Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are used widely in the diagnosis of malaria. Although the effectiveness of RDTs for malaria has been described in many previous studies, the low performance of RDT particularly for <i>Plasmodium ovale</i> malaria in traveller has rarely been reported. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted on Japanese travellers diagnosed with malaria at the National Center for Global Health and Medicine between January 2004 and June 2013. The diagnosis of malaria was confirmed by microscopic examination, RDT, and polymerase chain reaction in all patients. The RDTs used in our study were Binax NOW Malaria (Binax Inc., Scarborough, Maine, USA) (BN) and SD Malaria Antigen Pf/Pan (Standard Diagnostics Inc., Korea) (SDMA). We compared the sensitivity of the RDTs to <i>P. ovale</i> malaria and <i>Plasmodium vivax</i> malaria. Results: A total of 153 cases of malaria were observed, 113 of which were found among Japanese travellers. Nine patients with <i>P. ovale</i> malaria and 17 patients with <i>P. vivax</i> malaria undergoing RDTs were evaluated. The overall sensitivity of RDTs for <i>P. ovale</i> malaria and <i>P. vivax</i> malaria was 22.2% and 94.1%, respectively (P < 0.001). The sensitivity of SDMA for <i>P. ovale</i> malaria and <i>P. vivax</i> malaria was 50% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity of BN for <i>P. vivax</i> malaria was 90.0%, but it was ineffective in detecting the cases of <i>P. ovale</i> malaria. Conclusions: The sensitivity of RDTs was not high enough to diagnose <i>P. ovale</i> malaria in our study. In order not to overlook <i>P. ovale</i> malaria, therefore, microscopic examination is indispensable.