Millions of Brits are looking forward to summer holidays as schools break up, but travellers risk bringing back unexpected illnesses. Here are four unusual ailments to watch out for, with advice on avoidance and treatment.
Chikungunya
Chikungunya is a viral infection spread by daytime-biting mosquitoes, distinct from those carrying malaria. Actress Lindsay Lohan was a victim. It is found in over 120 countries, including the Caribbean, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and some parts of the Mediterranean. Cases among UK travellers have risen by 43%.
Symptoms appear three to seven days after a bite, including severe joint pain, fever, nausea, fatigue, headache, and a rash. Rarely fatal, but complications can last months or years. To avoid it, seek pre-travel health advice, cover up, use insect repellent, and consider vaccines. There is no cure; if infected, seek urgent medical help and report it to your doctor upon return.
Dengue
Dengue is another mosquito-borne disease spread by day-biting Aedes mosquitoes, which also transmit Zika. British actor Charlie Hunnam has suffered from it. It is common in India, Barbados, Thailand, parts of the Americas, and Southern Europe including France, Italy, and Spain.
Symptoms start four to ten days after a bite, including fever, headache, blotchy rash, muscle and joint pain. Severe dengue can cause bleeding gums, vomiting, and breathing problems. Avoid by covering up, using mosquito nets and repellent; vaccines are available. Treatment includes painkillers; seek emergency care for severe dengue.
Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis is caused by parasitic worms in infected freshwater lakes and rivers. They burrow into skin during swimming or washing, laying eggs in the bowel, bladder, or liver. Tour de France winner Chris Froome contracted it. It is found in Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean, with recent outbreaks in Corsica and Spain. There are 200 million cases worldwide annually.
Symptoms include an itchy bumpy rash after a few days, headaches, stomach ache, joint pain, cough, diarrhoea, or blood in urine and stool. These can appear weeks later. Untreated, it can lead to bladder cancer and infertility. Avoid by taking local advice before swimming in lakes or rivers; only drink trusted water sources. It is not caught from seawater. Treatment involves pills to kill the worms and steroids for symptoms.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection from tick bites. About 10% of UK ticks carry it. Ticks can also carry tick-borne encephalitis, though risk is low in the UK. TV star Martine McCutcheon and comedian Miranda Hart have had it. It is found in Europe, North America, and Asia; in the UK, infected ticks are more common in Scotland and southern and southwestern England. UK cases have increased by 20% in the last year.
Symptoms include a bullseye rash, sometimes appearing months after a bite, along with fever, headaches, fatigue, and muscle pain. It can cause long-term neurological and cardiac problems. Avoid by covering skin in grassy or wooded areas and using insect repellent. For treatment, see the NHS advice on tick removal; diagnosis via blood tests is difficult, but antibiotics can treat it.
