Worms from your pet?

About 14 percent of the U.S. population is infected with Toxocara, or internal roundworms, contracted from dogs and cats. That's according to the results of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study announced at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in Philadelphia.

The CDC study shows the transmission of Toxocara from dogs and cats to people is most common in young children and youth under age 20, and more common in non-Hispanic Blacks than in Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic Whites of all age groups. It is highest in lower socioeconomic and less-educated populations. All children, however, are more susceptible to infection given their propensity to play in and sometimes eat contaminated soil.

Read more

Gardasil Vaccine Article

The New York Times published a very interesting article about the Gardasil vaccine which prevents cervical cancer in vaccinated women by preventing infection with a strain of human papilloma virus. This provocative piece suggests there may be some benefit in vaccinating boys as well. This use is not yet approved by the FDA for use in males in this country. (You would have to go to the European Union or Mexico where it has received this approval.) But it remains food for thought!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/fashion/24virus.html?ref=health

Travel Medicine Tip

Can't miss diagnoses in travel medicine.

The majority of returned travelers with health complaints have garden variety illness such as gastroenteritis and upper respiratory infections. However, health care providers need to be aware that life threatening travel-related illness also occurs. Some of the "can't miss" diagnoses in returned travelers include:

1) Falciparum malaria

2) Malaria, especially falciparum, in pregnant females

3) Viral hemorrhagic diseases, including ebola virus, marburg virus, lassa fever, and rift valley fever. Dengue shock syndrome and yellow fever can also he complicated by hemorrhagic manifestations. While the viral hemorrhagic fevers are relatively rare, the high mortality rate makes them "can't miss" diagnoses.

Further reading at:
CDC Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers

Welcome to Passport Health NM Blog!

Welcome to the NEW Passport Health New Mexico Blog. We will post travel medicine news, travel vaccination news, and information of interest to travelers.

We are pleased to offer this new blog and hope you visit frequently.