Floods in Pakistan - Advice

19 August 2010

The latest advice and travel supplies for anyone being deployed to Pakistan...

The floods in Pakistan have been described by the UN Secretary General as the worst disaster he has ever seen. It is estimated that between 16 and 20 million people have been affected.

Apart from the destruction to life, property, crops and livelihoods there is a serious danger from water-borne diseases. The first cases of cholera have broken out and many children are already dying from other diarrhoeal diseases. There is also a growing risk from malaria and dengue fever.

In addition to in-country support from the army and national aid workers, further humanitarian support is being provided by many countries. Foreign aid workers are already arriving in Pakistan and it is likely that many will be going in the coming months to join the relief effort.

InterHealth will try and respond with minimum delay in fixing appointments both for medicals, immunisations, advice and travel supplies for anyone being deployed to Pakistan, even at short notice.

You will find regular updates at the following sites:

World health Organisation (WHO)
NaTHNaC
Foreign Commontwealth Office (FCO)

In addition please see information posted on our Travel Health Advice Centre. If you are having trouble logging in, please email [email protected]

Advice for those travelling to or working in the areas affected

Please note: before accessing the following pages you will need to login to your THAC site.

Recommended vaccinations

Cholera
Diphtheria
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Polio - Note recent re-emergence of polio
Rabies
Tetanus
Typhoid

Recommended malaria prophylaxis (antimalarials)

Malaria risk areas are found below 2000 metres.

Recommended antimalarials are: Chloroquine & proguanil.

If you are unable to take chloroquine & proguanil, you can take:

Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone) OR
Doxycycline OR
Mefloquine (Lariam)

For further information click on the following links:

Diarrhoea and dysentery
Flooding related health dangers
Pakistan country profile

Sources: BBC News online, Reliefweb/OCHA, IRIN news service.