121620 – World Health Report

This report intends to give the UTD Community a snapshot of international health risks as reported by the linked official sources from the U.S. and other countries.

Please note the revision date (mmddyy) of this report, printed on the title of the post, and go to the direct sources listed for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this report may change without prior notice.

Health

• Benin *  GOV.UK *  Unlike in the UK, you will need to go to a pharmacy to obtain most over-the-counter medicines. Pharmacies are widely available and are usually identified by a green cross. They will accept prescriptions from the UK although the specific prescribed brand will most probably be replaced by a generic or other brand equivalent. Benin has not yet forced a total lockdown and in the event that this occurs, pharmacies will remain open.
• Costa Rica *  GOV.UK *  British-issued prescriptions cannot be used locally. To find a pharmacy (“farmacia”) look for one of the big national chains such as Farmacia Fischel, Farmacia Sucre, FarmaValue, Farmacia Saba, or Farmacia Santa Lucia, among others; a quick search online should help you to identify the nearest one open.
• Denmark *  GOV.UK *  You can use a UK prescription in pharmacies in Denmark. These are found in all cities and major towns, and are called ‘Apotek’ in Danish. They can often be identified by an illuminated green cross.
• Estonia *  GOV.UK *  The rules on access to healthcare will stay the same until 31 December 2020. You should get a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. After 31 December 2020, your UK-issued EHIC might not be valid. Read guidance on use of EHIC after 1 January 2021 for UK residents visiting EU. The EHIC entitles you to state provided medical treatment that may become necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as Estonian nationals. If you don’t have your EHIC with you or you’ve lost it, you can call the Department of Health Overseas Healthcare Team (+44 191 218 1999) to get a Provisional Replacement Certificate. It is important to take out comprehensive travel insurance that includes cover for emergency medical treatment and associated costs. The existing EHIC arrangements are not an alternative to travel insurance, as some health-related costs, including for medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment and non-urgent treatment, are not covered. Read more about what your travel insurance should cover.
• Europe * Communicable disease threats report, 6-12 December 2020, week 50 * Influenza. Influenza activity remained at interseasonal levels. None of the 1 002 sentinel specimens tested for influenza viruses in week 49 were positive. Influenza viruses were detected sporadically from non-sentinel sources (such as hospitals, schools, primary care facilities not involved in sentinel surveillance, or nursing homes and other institutions). Both influenza type A and type B viruses were detected. There were no hospitalised laboratory-confirmed influenza cases for week 49/2020.
• Malta *  GOV.UK *  Prescriptions issued from the UK and EU Member States may be fulfilled by a Maltese Pharmacist provided they can confirm that the issuer is a licensed medical practitioner, dentist or veterinary surgeon. Available medication may not match the exact make and brand of those found in the UK and you should confirm with the pharmacist or doctor that your prescription has a suitable local equivalent. Where this is not possible you may need to be assessed by a Maltese medical practitioner and provided with a local prescription. GPs may be found privately at most pharmacies, though their times of availability may vary.
• Mauritania * CDC * Rift Valley Fever. Travelers to Mauritania should protect themselves from RVF by avoiding contact with cattle and livestock and by preventing mosquito bites.
• Mexico *  GOV.UK *  Many pharmacies in large cities provide 24/7 service, as well as home deliveries of medication. Any prescription issued outside of Mexico will require a translation into Spanish. It is ultimately up to the individual local pharmacy whether they will accept a foreign prescription or not. However, many pharmacies in Mexico also have an onsite GP who can assess a patient and prescribe medication if required.
• Montserrat *  GOV.UK *  Montserrat has a small hospital with limited facilities. Anyone needing specialist medical treatment may need to travel to a neighbouring island. Medical evacuations may require a negative COVID-19 test prior to approval to travel – test results sometimes take 2 – 4 days. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
• Morocco *  GOV.UK *  If you have a British issued medical prescription and would like to get medication in Morocco, you will need to contact the nearest pharmacy. If the medication does not exist in Morocco, the pharmacy will then ask you to get another prescription from local doctors to provide you with an alternative medication that exists in the country. Pharmacies are available in every city and district and can be accessed 24/7. To find out the pharmacy that is closest to your area, please consult the following website: http://dmp.sante.gov.ma/pharmacies
• Multi-country (World)    * Communicable disease threats report, 6-12 December 2020, week 50 * Measles. Update of the week. Since the previous monthly measles update in ECDC’s Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) on 13 November 2020, nine new cases have been reported by four EU/EEA countries and UK: Germany (7), Ireland (1) and Poland (1). Spain has discarded two earlier reported cases. No other countries reported new cases of measles.
• Nicaragua *  GOV.UK *  British-issued prescriptions cannot be used locally. To find a pharmacy (“farmacia”) look for one of the big national chains such as FarmaValue, Farmacia MEDCO, Farmacia Saba, Farmacia Kielsa, or Farmacia El Ahorro, among others; a quick search online should help you to identify the nearest one open.
• Nigeria *  GOV.UK *  Unlike in the UK, you will need to go to a pharmacy or chemist to obtain most over-the-counter medicines. Only a very limited selection are available at supermarkets or other stores. Pharmacies are widely available. They will accept prescriptions from the UK.
• South Africa *  GOV.UK * If you take regular medication, make sure you can access a repeat prescription if you need to. Most medicines that require a prescription from a doctor in the UK will require a ‘script’ in South Africa (‘script’ is the widely used term in South Africa for ‘prescription’). If you need a prescription in advance, you can visit a local doctor. The doctor might prescribe on the basis of your visit, or they may ask you to obtain an electronic prescription from your medical practitioner in the UK to allow them to write a script. Pharmacies are readily available, with larger pharmacy groups Dis-Chem and Clicks having stores across the country. Some (but not all) of these stores have medical practitioners on site who can write prescriptions. Private hospitals in South Africa are prepared to treat COVID-19, and the standard of care may be higher than in government hospitals. Our experience suggests that only people who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 are able to get a test, at both private and public healthcare facilities.
• Togo *  GOV.UK *  Unlike in the UK, you will need to go to a pharmacy to obtain most over-the-counter medicines. They are not sold in supermarkets in Togo. Where possible, purchase known brands. Pharmacies are widely available and are usually identified by a green cross. They will accept prescriptions from the UK.
• USA *  GOV.UK *  There are restrictions and prohibitions on the import of certain prescription drugs into the USA. The US Department of Homeland Security website contains further information and advice on bringing medicines into the USA. UK prescriptions are not valid in the USA. In order for a British national to obtain pharmacy drugs, you would need to have a prescription from a US provider. This can be done from attending an ‘Urgent Care’ facility, Emergency Room or a doctor’s surgery.

Please note the revision date (mmddyy) of this report, printed on the title of the post, and go to the direct sources listed for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this report may change without prior notice.