May 2024 has marked the 175th anniversary of the death of author, Anne Brontë, from tuberculosis – one of the major travel health threats which Pinpoint Travel Health continually reviews.
Anne was the youngest of the Brontë sisters and responsible for classics such as Agnes Grey and the Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Also writing under the pen name of Acton Bell, she and her older sisters Charlotte and Emily were the forces behind some of the greatest literature of their age.
As it happens, Emily Brontë also died from tuberculosis (1848), as did Anne’s other sisters Maria and Elizabeth (1825).
Tuberculosis in the 21st century world
It is easy to dismiss tuberculosis (TB) as a 19th century disease because, here in the UK, we do not hear too much about it. Nevertheless, it remains the world’s top infectious killer – an airborne disease that spread through coughing and sneezing and which is found in every country of the world. Whilst it most commonly affects the lungs, it can be found in any organ.
It is said that 2 billion people may be infected with TB worldwide – a fourth of the world’s population. 10.6m people fall ill with tuberculosis each year, despite it being preventable and treatable. It causes 1.3m deaths a year – 3500 per day – and is the leading cause of death of those living with HIV (PLHIV).
Tuberculosis considerations for travellers
So what does this mean for travellers and travel health planning? Firstly, it pays to know where the risk is greatest. The World Health Organisation analyses the risk and categorises countries into high-incidence locations and low-incidence locations, as you can see here.
In 2022, the eight countries with the highest risk, starting with the greatest, were: India, Indonesia, China, Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh and Democratic Republic of the Congo. In general, the worst affected continent is Africa. Worryingly, the Americas saw an increase of 14% in TB incidence between 2015 and 2022.
Vaccination against tuberculosis
Vaccination against TB is possible through the BCG vaccine but routine tuberculosis vaccination for teenagers in the UK ended in 2005. If you were vaccinated against tuberculosis prior to this, you should not require any further protection, as the vaccination is for life. However, if you have not been vaccinated, it is something that may be required, dependent on where you are travelling, what you will be doing during your travels and how long you are staying.
Tuberculosis and the Pinpoint Travel Health approach
Knowing your own personal situation in relation to this disease is something with which Pinpoint Travel Health can assist, if you commission a Travel Health Brief. The swift and easy-to-use process will guide you through a series of questions, starting with your precise intended destinations.
Rather than just examining this from a broad country perspective, the Pinpoint Travel Health platform is all about delivering pinpoint precision to your travel heath planning. It will cross-reference your precise pinpointed location or locations/itinerary with the prevalent health risks in those highly focused geographical areas and then also determine other factors, such as any seasonality of a disease and whether you will be travelling at a time when it presents a risk.
Your age, medical history, intended activities and medications will also be put under the microscope, before the final Travel Health Brief report is delivered electronically into your hands.
Which travel vaccinations do you need?
Your personalised Travel Health Brief will highlight whether or not certain vaccinations – including tuberculosis – are required for your holiday, trip or journey. It will also flag up any certification required and which anti-malarials might be needed.
With this highly personalised report, you can then book any vaccinations that you do require with a doctor or travel clinic. Suggested clinics close to your home address will also be included in the Travel Health Brief.
Precise travel health planning for a minor cost
Tuberculosis is a major health risk across the world and you do not want to get things wrong. However it is not the only risk to consider, so having the precise guidance of Pinpoint Travel Health’s advanced data-driven system, which draws on all of the latest advice from leading authorities in world health, is invaluable.
When the Travel Health Brief costs just £15 (inc VAT), can save you hours of trying to figure out what travel health requirements you need to match, and also potentially save you money on unnecessary vaccinations according to your own individual plans, it is something to not ignore. Head to https://pinpointtravelhealth.com to start the process of getting your Travel Health Brief today, or use the widget below.