Britons issued travel warning for popular holiday spot over fears of ‘severe disease’ | World | News
British tourists in Peru have been issued a new important travel warning regarding diseases.
New information has been provided by The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on Oropouche virus disease and yellow fever.
Both diseases can potentially be fatal but can be avoided altogether by taking the correct vaccines before arriving in the country.
Peru is a popular destination for travellers all over the world and the South American country is home to a portion of the Amazon rainforest and the breathtaking Machu Picchu.
TravelHealthPro urged: “At least eight weeks before your trip, check the latest vaccine recommendations for Peru.”
FCDO added: “See where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page.”
Those travelling to the country were told to check what health risks they might face in Peru, including Oropouche virus disease and yellow fever.
TravelHealthPro said: “As of September 16, 2024, a total of 930 confirmed Oropouche virus disease cases have now been reported in 2024.
“On September 19, 2024, the Pan American Health Organization reported 38 confirmed cases of yellow fever, including 19 deaths since the start of the year.
“Cases have been reported in the Plurinational State of Bolivia (seven cases, including three deaths), Brazil (three cases, including two deaths), Colombia (eight cases, including five deaths), Guyana (two cases), and Peru (18 cases, including nine deaths).”
Travellers should be aware of potential symptoms so they can act quickly if they are infected.
The NHS says: “Some yellow fever symptoms are similar to flu, such as high temperature, headache, feeling or being sick, aches and pains, loss of appetite and feeling generally unwell.
“These symptoms often last three or four days. But a small number of people get more serious symptoms within 24 hours of feeling better. More serious symptoms include yellowing of your skin and eyes (jaundice), dark pee, stomach pain and bleeding from your eyes, nose, mouth or stomach – you may have blood in your vomit or poo. These more serious symptoms can be fatal.”
British travellers thinking of visiting Peru can also find information on malaria and other health risks in the country, including altitude, biting insects or ticks, dengue, influenza, outdoor air quality and Zika virus.
The FCDO said: “Peru is experiencing a major dengue outbreak following floods. See the ‘Outbreaks’ page of the TravelHealthPro Peru guide for more information.
“There is also a risk of being infected with malaria, Zika virus or yellow fever through mosquito bites. Take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitos.”
Oropouche virus is also known as Sloth Fever and has been showing unusual activity recently by spreading to new areas in Central and South America. There have been more than 10,000 confirmed infections worldwide this year, and 19 of those were in Europe.
