Passport Health Vaccinates Tsunami Zone Relief Workers

(Wednesday, January 05, 2005) - Passport Health offices nationwide have begun providing travel health immunizations and counseling for U.S. relief workers going to the Tsunami zone. Proper health precautions are paramount for travelers to that area since the World Health Organization fears a significant death toll from diseases associated with aftermath of the flooding, for example: gastrointestinal illness, including cholera and dysentery, acute respiratory infections, and mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever and malaria.



The Center for Disease Control advisories include immunizations for:

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B, for exposure to blood, for example health-care workers
Japanese encephalitis, for those who plan to visit rural areas.
Rabies, for exposure to wild or domestic animals.
Typhoid vaccination is very important due to presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antiobiotics
Tetanus-diphtheria boosterdoses, as needed, and a one-time dose of polio
Measles booster
Note: There is no immunization to prevent malaria, so malaria prophylaxis (anti-malaria medication) is necessary. Passport Health travel specialists will assess your medical history to prescribe appropriate prophylaxis.



Passport Health stocks these Traveler's Survivor Kits at all times:

· Water Purification Kit: Clears viruses and bacteria from water down to 2/10 of a micron. Easy to carry and comes with extra submicron filters. Offers protection from Cholera, E. Coli—Coliform, Typhoid, Anthrax, Salmonella, Amoebic Dysentery, Streptococcus and Shigella Soni. 80 gallon capacity, 380 refills.

· Diarrhea Kit: Includes antibiotics, oral rehydration solution, an anti-motility tablets for cramps and antiseptic towelettes.

· Malaria Kit: Includes Permethrin spray for netting and bedding to repel mosquitoes, and a controlled release DEET product for exposed skin and a sting eze.



WHO: Fran Lessans, RN, MS, CEO & President of Passport Health



WHERE: Passport Health Headquarters

921 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21230

ph#: 410-727-0556, www.passporthealthusa.com



Passport Health, a national chain of immunization centers, is the largest purchaser of vaccinations outside the U.S. Government. Passport Health nurses and doctors have unique expertise in the fields of both travel immunizations, and provide counseling concerning the diseases for which these immunizations provide protection. Precautions ranging from boots, gloves, disinfectants and facemasks are needed in the tsunami zone.

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