Category Archives: holiday

Spain Holiday Warning After Infection Outbreak Reported In Ibiza

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UK tourists looking to travel to Spain in the coming months need to be aware of an outbreak of dengue fever in Ibiza.

The Spanish government has warned that cases of the virus, known as both dengue or dengue fever, transmitted by mosquitos, may spread at a higher rate during the busier summer months.

It comes after six German tourists were infected in Ibiza between May and November 2022. Health officials are warning there is a “moderate” risk people could catch it this summer.

The Spanish government thinks that an outbreak may have been spread by holidaymaker from Mexico who only developed symptoms upon arrival.

Most of the time, the infection is not too serious and can go away on its own.

Still, Spain’s ministry of health have made it clear that they want all holidaymakers to be aware of the potential infection.

The officials said in a statement: ”One of the potential vectors of dengue is the Aedes albopictus mosquito, present throughout the area, the Spanish Mediterranean and the Balearic Islands and also in some areas of the interior and north of the country.

“After learning about the cases, the authorities of the Balearic Islands have planned actions such as pertinent surveillance and vector control and also communication and information to the public, to be carried out before and during the start of the vector activity season.”

What are the symptoms of dengue fever?

The NHS website explains that symptoms start to show around four to 10 days after someone is bitten by an infected mosquito.

The symptoms are similar to flu:

  • A high temperature
  • Severe headache
  • Pain behind the eyes
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Feeling or being sick
  • Swollen glands
  • A blotchy rash of flat or slightly raised spots

Dengue fever can also be deadly to the vulnerable, with more severe symptoms emerging a few days after the person first falls ill.

This can include repeated vomiting, bleeding gums or nose, severe stomach pain, fast breathing, extreme tiredness, being unable to relax, blood in vomit or your poo.

Key facts about catching dengue

The type of mosquito who transmits the virus tends to bite during the daytime.

You cannot get it from another person, and it is not found in the UK.

But in Spain and other parts of southern Europe like Croatia, France, Italy, Portugal and Madeira, you can get dengue between spring and November, when the weather is warmer.

It is very common in parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Caribbean, Pacific islands and parts of North America.

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Boris Johnson’s Strange Explanation About Where He Spent Christmas Is Raising Suspicion

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When asked about his whereabouts for the last 10 days, Boris Johnson appeared to stutter before arriving at the bizarre answer that he had “been in this country” – immediately prompting speculation among his critics.

Speaking to a BBC News journalist on Wednesday during a tour of a vaccine centre, the prime minister was asked: “Where have you been for the last 10 days?”

Johnson replied: “I’ve been in…I’ve been…in this country.”

He appears to laugh slightly, before adding: “Where do you think?”

Before the reporter could reply, the prime minister said, “thank you”, and starts to walk away from the camera crew.

So it is not very surprising that people weren’t exactly impressed with Johnson’s latest hesitant answers on Twitter.

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Now Health Minister Says Holidays Abroad Are ‘Dangerous’

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A health minister has added to the confusion over coronavirus travel rules after saying going abroad is “dangerous” and “not for this year”.

Lord Bethell’s comments come after environment secretary George Eustice was slapped down by No.10 for suggesting people could travel to so-called “amber list” countries to visit friends.

Boris Johnson also later stressed that amber list countries were “not somewhere you should be going on holiday”.

But Bethell went much further than government rules, which allows people to travel to Portugal, Iceland and nine other countries without having to quarantine on their return, opening the door to summer holidays.

The peer’s comments are the latest example of chaotic messaging on foreign travel from the government, and are likely to fuel confusion following the lifting of the ban on foreign holidays on Monday.

He made his remarks amid continuing concern over the rise in cases of the potentially more transmissible variant that originated in India in parts of England.

Labour said the confusion had created “dangerous chaos” and called for “a pause on international travel”, while Johnson’s former aide Dominic Cummings has labelled the UK’s border policy a “joke”.

Going much further than the government position, Bethell said: “Travelling is dangerous. That is not news to us or to the people who get on those planes in the first place.

“We do ask people, particularly as we go into the summer, travelling is not for this year, please stay in this country.”

Gareth Fuller – PA Images via Getty Images

Passengers prepare to board an easyJet flight to Faro, Portugal, at Gatwick Airport on Monday

Earlier, Eustice struck a markedly different tone, suggesting people could travel to even amber list countries if they “feel the need” to visit family or friends.

But the prime minister’s official spokesperson said travel to amber list countries was only permitted for a very limited number of reasons.

“The position remains that people should not travel to amber list countries and that is to protect public health,” they said.

“We recognise that the restrictions that have been placed are difficult for the public. 

“There may be essential reasons for which people still have to travel to amber list countries but of course strict quarantine and testing measures will apply.

“There are some limited reasons why it might be acceptable to travel – for work purposes, protecting essential services or compassionate reasons such as a funeral or care of a family member but otherwise people should not be travelling to these countries.”

Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: “The Conservatives’ border policies have unravelled into dangerous chaos within a matter of hours since international travel was opened up.

 “There is a lack of strategy, which has meant the UK government, and their own ministers, are giving out conflicting and confused advice about whether people are allowed to travel, especially between ‘amber list’ countries.

“Labour has been clear that there should be a pause on international travel, to guard against further importing of dangerous strains, setting back hopes for ending restrictions.”

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