Odyssey Travel and Tropical Medicine Clinics

Here is an excellent episode from "This Podcast Will Kill You" which explores the history and biology of the measles virus. Let epidemiologists / disease ecologists Dr Welsh & Dr Updyke explain the wonders and burdens of this tiny and wildly infectious pathogen. Happy learning!

Download on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Episode 21 Measles: The Worst Souvenir – This Podcast Will Kill You Episode 21 Measles: The Worst Souvenir By adminMarch 5, 2019January 9, 2024Season 2 You’ve seen the recent headlines and heard the news reports, but they’re only part of this deadly virus’s story. This week we’re covering the rest. We take you on a one-of-a-kind tour of measles, exploring ho...

Are you aged 19-25 and living in crowded quarters or traveling? You may be at risk for meningitis associated with Neisseria meningitidis A, B, C, Y or W. Book a consultation to discuss prevention strategies and available vaccines.

Jet Lag Hacks

Jet lag is a phenomenon experenced by travellers who cross multiple time zones causing fatigue, headache and irritability. This sleep deprivation can have a big impact on health and wellbeing. It can put a damper on even the most exciting travel experiences.

Here are some quick tips for easing jet lag:

✈️ Adjust your sleep pattern: Gradually adjusting your sleep schedule before a long-distance trip can help you reduce the severity of jet lag symptoms. This involves going to bed and waking up slightly earlier or later each day, depending on your destination's time zone. This may help your body acclimate more smoothly.

✈️ Bright light exposure: Exposure to natural light is a key factor in regulating the body's internal clock. Spending time outdoors during daylight hours upon arrival can help synchronize your circadian rhythm with the local time zone, reducing the duration of jet lag. Artificial light therapy, which mimics sunlight, can be used for a specific amount of time when you are meant to be awake. It can be used in advance of travel if you are adjusting your sleep pattern to waking earlier in the day.

✈️ Take a cold shower: If you are arriving early in the day and need to stay awake, hopping into a cold shower increases your circulation and provides a quick energy boost. Exposure to cold is known to activate the sympathetic nervous system and increase blood levels of beta-endorphin and noradrenaline, which may have an anti-depressant effect for some people.

✈️ Have a warm bath: To fall asleep faster and improve sleep quality, take a warm bath or shower in the evening. Immersing your body in warm water aids your temperature regulation, soothes muscle aches, and washes away the germs from your journey.

These tips may help you minimize the effects of sleep deprivation and make the most of your travels. For a deeper dive on this subject, book a pre-travel consultation to review the best strategies for you to manage jet lag on your next trip.

Spring break is approaching quickly. Are you packed and ready for a beach vacation? While you are packing your sunscreen don't forget to bring your insect repellent too.

As Canadians, we don't think about the need for insect repellent this time of the year but it's an important item to pack for international travel. Insects carry diseases which can make us ill during or after a trip.

Of interest lately is the most common arthropod-borne viral disease in humans: dengue. Commonly found in many popular tourist destinations like the Carribbean and Mexico, dengue is transmitted by the bite from a female A. aegypti or A. albopictus mosquito. They are most active during the daytime - mornings and evenings in particular.

Going to Cancun? There's dengue there. Going to Puerto Rico? There's dengue there. Going to Belize? Dengue transmits there too.

Insect repellents with active ingredients DEET or Icaridin are the gold standard for disease prevention. Pick up a perfect travel size 100ml bottle from Odyssey Travel Clinic before you depart!

If you are travelling abroad and need a measles vaccine, book a pre-travel consultation. We offer immunization services for all ages and serology to check for existing immunity in adults.

Measles has exploded in Europe. Clinicians say it's only a matter of time before outbreaks hit Canada | CBC News Between high rates of global travel, and low rates of vaccination, Canada is vulnerable to measles outbreaks in Europe and beyond, say medical experts.

Do you need rabies vaccine for work or travel? Veterinarians, zoo keepers or individuals working with wildlife can be at risk of exposure to the rabies virus through animal saliva. Travellers planning to spend time in countries where rabies is endemic are also at risk of this viral central nervous system disease.

Whether it's work-related or an unintended encounter with a stray animal while on vacation, rabies can suddenly become a major concern. Rabies is 100% fatal if left untreated and it is also 100% preventable with vaccination. Rabies vaccination consists of 3 doses over the course of a few weeks.

At Odyssey Travel Clinic we offer access to rabies immunization services on Thursdays for the 2023/2024 winter season. If you would like more information, please call us at 403-229-2273

Thank you, Calgary Herald, for shining a light on our organization. Please read the latest article to learn more about the origins of CAWST from our co-founder Camille Dow Baker and CEO Shauna Curry, the biosand filter technology and our latest new funding announcement from USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.

If you are interested in giving a gift to support this important work, Order of Canada recipient David O'Brien is currently matching all donations until the end of the year. Your gift has the potential to empower millions. But it starts with the action of just one - you.

Link below

Do you need a tuberculosis screening test for school, work or for medical reasons?

At Odyssey Travel Clinic, we provide TB skin tests (TST), also called Mantoux or PPD - which is a skin test that requires interpretation 2 to 3 days after placement of the test on your forearm.

TST screens for latent TB, not active TB. We provide you with comprehensive education about your results. In addition, we can issue you a medical clearance letter for your employer, school or family doctor, and for your own lifetime records.

For more information, check out:
http://odysseytravelclinic.com/tuberculosis/

Ask us about "Buzzy" next time you are getting your shots. We have one of the original models, available anytime you need it! It may help disrupt the sensation of pain at the time of your vaccine injections.

From Psychology Today: "Studies suggest that most children, up to 50 percent of teenagers, and at least 20 to 30 percent of adults have some fear of needles".

Tackle needle fear with Buzzy: https://hubs.la/Q01V799X0.

Do you want your Gardasil 9 (HPV) vaccine but fall outside the criteria for provincially funded vaccine? If you are over 26 years of age then you may not qualify for free vaccine, however you can access it privately at travel clinics or pharmacies for a cost.

Gardasil 9 vaccine protects against 9 different types of HPV viruses which are spread s*xually or skin-to-skin. These HPV infections can lead to ge***al cancers, head & neck cancers and ge***al warts. Infections worth preventing.

Check your health insurance plan to find out if the cost is covered for you. Three doses of vaccine are required for adults, so if you are paying out-of-pocket multiply the cost by 3. If you are 26 years old or younger then call HealthLink at 811 to find out where you can access the vaccine for free.

For a routine immunization review with a Registered Nurse at Odyssey Travel Clinic, call 403-229-2273 to book.

Happy Family Doctor Day!

Family doctors are the best. A big shout out to our many amazing family physicians here at Richmond Square Medical Centre who work hard to support your health needs. If you are in need of a family physician then check out www.albertafindadoctor.ca

Microbiologist Scott O'Neill explains how growing and releasing millions of tiny mosquitoes will prevent transmission of dengue fever in Brazil. This project will sustain long-term suppression of the disease, in addition to other diseases such as Yellow Fever and Zika. Amazing! https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/releasing-millions-of-modified-mosquitos-to-fight-dengue-fever-1.6815241

Releasing millions of modified mosquitos to fight dengue fever A Brazilian mosquito factory is planning to release 5 billion modified mosquitos a year to help combat dengue fever. We hear more from Scott O’Neill, a microbiologist at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, and CEO of the World Mosquito Program.

There are many options out there to access vaccines but it's not easy finding advice that you can trust. If you need medical expertise for your complex travel itinerary and/or your complex health needs, then you may need a comprehensive medical travel clinic. Don't be taken for a ride, come see us at Odyssey Travel Clinic.

Hello! Just want to let you know that we have a couple openings remaining for this Wednesday's EVENING travel clinic. Connect with us if you need health advice and immunizations prior to your trip. Call 403-229-2273 to book.

I want to donate blood. Are there any restrictions after travel?

This depends on where you travelled, how long you were there, how long you have been back to Canada and if you were ever sick.

Canadian Blood Services will assess your risk during intake but here are a few highlights to help you decide when to book your next blood donation appointment.

https://www.blood.ca/en/blood/am-i-eligible-donate-blood/abcs-eligibility/travel #:~:text=Donors%20who%20have%20travelled%20outside,require%20a%2021-day%20wait.

Are you travelling for work?

A business travel consultation, with our Odyssey team, is an appointment designed for work related travellers. Whether you are a frequent flyer on short hauls, a rotational worker or relocating overseas, we can help you stay productive and healthy.

We offer an individualized risk assessment, immunization service, and follow-up support. Additional services available are pre-employment medical exams; OEUK medicals; and TB skin testing.

For larger work groups, we offer on-site or off-site presentations to discuss joint travel plans and health risks to consider, followed by individual assessments and a group immunization service.

In addition, we provide expat screening services and post-travel medical care, in the event that you are ill after travel.

Did you know that Hepatitis B vaccine helps prevent liver cancer? What?!? It's true.

Last week we talked about how the HPV vaccine prevents cervical and many other cancers but hepatitis B vaccine was actually the very first anti-cancer vaccine developed.

The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood and fights infections. Hepatitis means "inflammation of the liver". Many factors can affect liver health and cause inflammation such as some medications, alcohol, certain medical conditions, and viruses. Viral infections cause the most hepatitis worldwide.

How does Hep B vaccine prevent liver cancer? Hepatitis B vaccine prevents infections with the hepatitis B virus, thereby preventing one type of chronic hepatitis which can lead to liver cancer. The most common risk factor for liver cancer is a chronic (long-term) infection with the hepatitis B virus. Prevent the viral infection and you prevent the inflammation which can lead to future cancer.

Family Friendly Fridays!

We know how hard it is to get your little ones organized and out the door for appointments. And we know how hard it is to take your little ones to get shots before travelling. We want to make it a bit easier by offering families with young children dedicated travel clinic days. Friday is a good day to rest & recover after getting immunized and allows for less disruptions if kids are feeling yucky over the weekend.

If you have children under the age of 4 years, it is especially hard to find a clinic or pharmacy that can administer vaccines to that age group. At Odyssey Travel Clinic, we have no age restrictions and all our nurses are experienced with pediatric immunizations. Big or small, we want to see your munchkins and keep them smiling. And keep you travelling to beautiful places.

Upcoming Family Friendly Fridays:

🐠 February 10th
🦄 February 24th
🐼 March 3rd
🐢 March 17
🐥 March 31

Call 403-229-2273 to book your family in for a pre-travel consultation!

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. What a great time to talk about how HPV vaccine can help prevent cancer!

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common s*xually transmitted infection and the cause of almost all cervical cancers. Cervical cancer was once the leading cause of cancer death among women in Canada. Now, it is the most preventable of all women's cancers - thanks to cervical screening (paps) and HPV vaccination programs across the country.

If that's not enough of a reason to get vaccinated, here are the other cancers and conditions which HPV vaccines prevent:

💚 A**l, pe**le and vaginal cancers
💙 Head and neck cancers
💚 Ge***al warts

How do I get it? Access to this life-changing vaccine is through the routine childhood vaccine programs in schools and adult immunization clinics for those 26 years of age and younger. For adults 27 years or older who do not qualify for provincially funded vaccine, they can access the vaccine at private travel clinics like Odyssey Travel Clinic. Book an immunization review appointment with one of our travel nurses to find out more about the HPV vaccine and cancer prevention.

Next week, we talk about how Hepatitis B vaccine prevents liver cancer...

What is Influenza?

Commonly overlooked by travellers, influenza may be encountered anywhere in the world. The “flu” is a common viral disease affecting the respiratory system causing fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat and cough. Outbreaks occur at various times of the year around the world and can be easily transported and transmitted on planes, trains and cruise ships.

In the northern hemisphere in October to March and in the southern hemisphere outbreaks occur in April to September. In the tropics, influenza can circulate throughout the year. People can be at high risk of serious illness or complications if they get influenza and should be vaccinated whether they travel or not.

In Alberta the vaccine is available October to June and should be given annually for optimal protection as it changes each year. It's not too late to get your flu shot, call us to book!

Send us your postcards! We love to see where you have been on your travels. We will add your postcard to our Postcard Board, which resides in our pre-travel consult room, to inspire other future travellers. Our mailing address is:

Odyssey Travel Clinic
#142, 3715-51 St SW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
T3E 6V2

Safe travels,
The Odyssey Team

We have great news! We are re-introducing our "Rabies Day" at Odyssey Travel Clinic for affordable access to pre-exposure rabies vaccine. This weekly service helps travellers save big time on each vaccine dose. We use an intradermal (ID) method of administration which is just as effective as intramuscular (IM) and has been studied for over 40 years.

In addition, we offer rapid scheduling: Day 0, 3, & 7 for travellers with quick departures.

Book your pre-travel consultation to find out more!

Why do I have to take my anti-malarial drugs for so long after I return from my trip? The answer is a bit complicated, as you can see from this diagram (merckmanuals.com) about the life cycle of malaria.

Essentially a mosquito injects malaria parasite into your bloodstream, which then travels to your liver. The parasite likes it in your liver and multiplies there. At this point you are oblivious and still feel fine. It's not until the parasite leaves your liver to swim in your bloodstream, multiplying further, that you develop symptoms: fever, chills, headache, tired, muscle aches, stomach pain. Things can go downhill fast from here.

Unless you are taking anti-malarial drugs of course - which your travel health provider prescribed. The drugs start working at the "human blood stage" of the diagram, by preventing the multiplication of the malaria parasite. You will continue to feel fine and will never know that you had an uninvited guest in your liver.

The catch is that you have to continue taking the drugs for 1-4 weeks after you leave a malaria zone in order to chase the growing infection, otherwise you can still get sick some time after the mosquito bite. Ask your Odyssey doctor or nurse to review all your drug options to find the anti-malarial that suits you best.

Don't forget this essential step before travelling overseas!

Register your trip with the government of Canada's "Registration of Canadians Abroad" service ➡️ https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration

This free service enables notifications to be sent to you with important information in preparation for an emergency (such as a natural disaster or civil unrest), instructions during emergencies, important changes or updates to the Travel Advice and Advisories for the country for which you registered.

It's easy to register and helps you stay safe and secure as you travel.

Upcoming Virtual Travel Clinic dates:

✈️ Wednesday, December 14
✈️ Wednesday, December 21

These convenient telehealth clinics are filling up quickly. If you need travel health counselling and vaccines, call us at 403-229-2273 for more info.

Odyssey Travel & Tropical Medicine Clinics Take the bugs out of travel

Virtual travel health services at Odyssey 🌎

Introducing a more accessible and convenient way to receive your pre-travel health consultation. Save time and money with a virtual travel consultation from the comfort of your own home, or office or on-the-go. We offer the same high quality care as you would receive in-person, including:

💚 Evaluation of your travel plans and health risks
💚 Review of maps and disease precautions
💚 Recommendations for vaccines and travel related medications
💚 In addition, we coordinate a follow-up in-person visit at another date & time with an experienced immunization nurse if needed.

A virtual consult may be beneficial for you if:

💙 Your busy schedule makes it difficult to attend an in-person consultation
💙 You are currently working out-of-town but are still within the province of Alberta
💙 You do not live nearby and transportation to in-person consultation in a challenge
💙 You cannot find childcare to attend in-person consultation
💙 You suspect that you don’t require any travel vaccinations but are unsure
💙 You are simply planning ahead and want to review your immunization history

Watch for upcoming virtual clinic dates - to be posted soon!

"Prevention Strategies" - Respiratory Infections

COVID-19 has reminded us a thing or two about respiratory tract infections and how easily they can spread between people. Acquiring a respiratory infection during international travel has always been a common concern thanks to many different viruses, such as rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, coronaviruses and influenza. Here are some strategies to help you minimize your exposure:

❌ Avoid large groups of people, especially during the viral season.

👐 Wash your hands frequently with soap & water or with alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

😷 Wear a face mask when and where the virus is more prevalent.

🤒 Stay away from other people when you are sick to reduce further spread.

🩺 If you are travelling to provide healthcare or other relief work, consider using personal protection equipment (PPE) which is appropriate for the pathogens that you made be exposed to.

💉 Get your seasonal influenza vaccine (flu shot) and your COVID-19 booster if you are eligible.

Some travellers are at increased risk for bacterial infections such as meningococcal, pneumococcal, diphtheria, or pertussis. You can update your routine immunizations with us at Odyssey Travel Clinic, to protect against these common respiratory culprits. Ask us about them at your next pre-travel consultation or immunization review.

"Prevention Strategies" - Blood & Body Fluid

Blood-borne diseases are transmitted by direct contact with infected blood or other body fluids. Travellers can reduce their risk of Hepatitis B & C and HIV by dodging contact with the following:

🩺 Avoid medical or cosmetic procedure that penetrates the skin such as acupuncture, piercing and tattooing.

💉 Avoid the use of potentially contaminated needles and syringes used for injection.

🩸 Avoid transfusion of unsafe blood. Connect with your travel medical insurance provider for safe access to medical care.

💋 Avoid unprotected s*x. We will talk more about s*xual health and travel in another post.

If you are expecting to participate in activities that might put you at risk for blood-borne disease, talk to your doctor or nurse before you travel.

*x

"Prevention Strategies" - Insect Precautions

Many infections start with the bite of an insect, such as a mosquito. The risk of acquiring diseases like dengue, malaria, yellow fever and zika can be reduced by preventing mosquito bites. Here are some ways to do that:

🧐 Learn what types of insects are present where you are travelling, when they are most active and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

👖 Cover your skin with long sleeve shirts and pants

🧥 Consider treating outer clothing with permethrin product

🧼 Wear light or medium-coloured clothing and avoid scented soaps and deodorants

🦟 Apply insect repellent that contains either 30% DEET or 20% Icaridin to exposed skin and clothing. These products overwhelm the mosquitos sense of smell. If it can't smell you, it can't find you.

☀️ Always apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent so that both work best to protect you.

🛌 Sleep under a treated bed net or in an enclosed air conditioned room

🧸 Nets should be used over cots, playpens and strollers to protect infants

In addition to the strategies above, keep this in mind:

🤒 Seek medical attention if you are acutely ill with fever during or after travel

☎️ For health information 24 hours a day, call 811 in Alberta for advice from Health Link

✅ During your pre-travel consultation, your Odyssey doctor or nurse will tell you all about their favourite bug spray or bug cream.