Gunmen stormed a maternity ward at a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, on May 12, killing at least 24 people, including children and babies, and injuring 15 others. Authorities believe that the maternity ward was specifically targeted by the gunmen, as they had passed through multiple sections of the hospital without attacking anyone before reaching the ward.
At press time, COVID-19 infections had been confirmed in 213 countries and territories, with more than 6.2 million cases and, of those, more than 373,000 deaths. A rise in newly reported cases occurred in some countries that had eased quarantine restrictions, including Germany, South Korea and China, leading to fears of a second wave of cases.
The Pacific island nation of Samoa (not to be confused with neighboring American Samoa, a US territory) declared a state of emergency on Nov. 16 due to an outbreak of measles, with more than 5,000 people infected (out of a population of 200,000) and 72 deaths, mostly infants. The state of emergency ended on Dec. 27.
The outbreak was blamed on influential local healers who had recommended that people not vaccinate their children, instead offering natural cures. One such person was arrested on Dec. 6 for spreading false propaganda about vaccines on Facebook.
In my March 2019 column, I made the following statement regarding a type of overseas emergency-medical-evacuation insurance policy offered by Divers Alert Network, or DAN (Durham, NC; 800/446-2671, www.diversalertnetwork.org), and their “membership” coverage:
“I no longer recommend this type of coverage because, in case of a medical emergency, it will take you only to the nearest appropriate medical facility, and there is no provision for medical costs. If I had a medical emergency overseas, I’d definitely like to have medical coverage.”
Jean Sargent of Bainbridge Island, Washington, asked ITN readers for their advice on staying healthy during trips, writing, “What are the best sources for travel health advice? Do you recommend using a travel health service and, if so, how do you choose a good one? What health issues have arisen on trips that you wished you’d been aware of so you could have asked advice from your doctor before leaving home?”
Here are some of the tips that our readers shared.
During the summer of 2018, I discovered the TIMESHIFTER app, which creates plans to lessen jet lag based on your sleep pattern, chronotype and flight itinerary. TIMESHIFTER is a science-based circadian algorithm app developed with a Harvard Medical School professor who works with astronauts and Formula 1 drivers.
I decided to download it and give it a try.
Dear Globetrotter:
A car bomb exploded outside of a hospital in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 4, killing 20 people and injuring 47. An Egyptian official claimed that the explosives-laden car was being driven to a different site to attack when it ended up going the wrong way down a one-way street and collided with three other cars, causing the explosion.
The bomber, who died in the explosion, was identified as a member of the militant Hasm group, or Arms of Egypt Movement. Hasm is designated as a terrorist group by the US.
Jean Sargent of Bainbridge Island, Washington, wrote, “I would be interested in reading how people deal with health and travel. What are the best sources for travel health advice? Do you recommend using a travel health service and, if so, how do you choose a good one? What health issues have arisen on trips that you wished you’d been aware of so you could have asked advice from your doctor before leaving home?
