Newsfront: Ensuring that you’re fit to fly

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http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/20100516175205/Article/index_htm\

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Newsfront: Ensuring that you’re fit to fly

2010/05/16

Siti Syameen Mohd Khalili

TRAVELLING, be it for work or leisure, is always exciting.

However, many travellers do not anticipate that beyond getting their passports,

transport and accommodation in order, there is another matter that they should

carefully consider — getting vaccinated. But which vaccine is needed and where

can one be jabbed? A good place to start is online, specifically at

www.fit2fly.com.my.

This newly-launched portal is developed by GlaxoKline Phamaceuticals (GSK)

in partnership with the Malaysian Society of Infectious Diseases and

Chemotherapy (MSIDC). As an extension to its educational and awareness campaign

launched in September last year, the portal offers its visitors up-to-date and

essential information on travel.

According to MSIDC president Professor Datin Dr Hamimah Hassan, with airlines

offering affordable fees, more Malaysians are flying overseas. Travellers are

exposed to air-borne, food-borne and vector-borne infectious diseases, while

being prone to gut or respiratory problems.

Hamimah said diseases such as Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, typhoid, influenza and

meningococcal meningitis are some of the common but preventable travel diseases.

“With the launch of the portal, we hope more travellers can learn about the

risks that they face when they travel to another country, and talk to their

doctors or general practitioners (GPs) about their travel plans and vaccination.

There is nothing worse than being sick on a holiday,” she said.

She added that vaccinations should be done between two and four weeks prior to

departure.

Francis Del Val, vice-president and managing director of GSK Pharmaceutical

Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei said the Fit2Fly portal also offers other

information such as why travellers get jet lag and how to overcome it. “By being

informed and prepared, you can have a great holiday,” he said.

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