Mysterious Illness in Cambodia

An article in Chicago Tribune
by Rosemarie Francisco
http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/sns-rt-us-cambodia-diseasebre8620dg-20120703,0,1069237.story

An Investigation by World Health Organization (WHO) into an unknown disease that has killed at least 60 children under age 7 since April of 2012. Mostly occurring in Southern Cambodia.

Symptoms of high fever, swelling around the brain and respiratory symptoms, the children deteriorate due to difficulty breathing. Symptoms usually related to pneumonia.

The WHO is working with the Cambodia Ministry of Health and other countries to find the cause and source of this disease. The WHO must continue to research the disease
to determine the cause.

Readers planning to travel to Camodia or South Vietnam can help protect themselves with frequent hand washing, using soap and hot water and using sanitary hand wipes
for wiping down surfaces in hotel room and other frequently touched areas, like airline seat trays and door handles.

Drink water only from sealed water bottles or travel with a water bottle & water filter system. Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables, eating them only steamed or cooked.

Because the majority of these cases are in children under age 11, pay close attention to any fever or change in mental status if traveling to this region with small children.

Seek medical attention as soon as possible if any of these symptoms occur.

Safe travels,

Nurse G

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What are Measles? With modern medicine and our current vaccinations in the United States, most people may have never seen a case of Measles. According to Pubmed health, Measles are a highly contagious, respiratory virus, spread by contact with droplets from an infected person. Measles can be spread from the coughing or sneezing of an infected person. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002536/ Symptoms of the Measles are fever, runny nose, cough and rash. Other symptoms may include; Muscle pain, Rash, Tiny white spots in the mouth Light sensitivity Runny Nose Sore Throat Cough In response to measles outbreaks, according to WHO World Health Organization as of December 2011, states increasing and immunization advocacy. Recommendations for adjusting the immunization schedule based on a per country decision. Thousands of hospitalizations related to the European Region Measles outbreak, along with the potentially preventable deaths. The CDC, recommends the vaccination MMR which covers Measles, Mumps and Rubella. Check with your medical provider before receiving vaccinations for travel health. the CDC recommends following ADULT schedule for Measles between the ages of 19 and 49 one or two doses. Adults that are over the age of 50, one dose of MMR. Note: The Adult vaccination schedule is not a schedule for children. For more information on the ADULT vaccination schedule visit this link : http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/adult/adult-schedule.pdf