An urgent warning has been given to British tourists visiting popular holiday hotspot
Those headed to Tenerife and Lanzarote for winter sun are being urged to ear a mask in public area and have vaccinations up to date before they set off. Health chiefs have issued an urgent alert after a rise in “deadly” winter viruses on the Canary Islands. The destination is popular among British visitors over the Christmas period. But Covid, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have risen since August, sparking alerts by the Canary Islands Association of Primary Care Physicians.
Three viruses which have combined are now hitting 794 people per 100,000. This figure in England is 60 per 100,000 according to government data. Mild symptoms are experienced by healthy, younger people. But older Brits with health conditions and young children could contract alife-threatening illness.
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Ana Joyanes, president of the Canary Islands Association of Primary Care Physicians (AMAPCAN), expected cases to rise further over the winter months. The illness peak happened in mid-December 2023 with 1,296 cases per 100,000 residents. Ms Joyanes told GB News: “Vaccination is essential to make the impact of these infections milder or avoid them altogether, especially if you are over 60 years of age or classed as vulnerable. Anyone with respiratory symptoms should wear a mask to prevent transmission.”
She added: “Both flu and Covid can be deadly. If we are protected, we will fare better against the viruses.” The area’s Ministry of Health will meet this month to decide on mandatory mask-wearing to help control the spread. The decision on what curbs will be introduced will be taken then.
The Canary Islands are a popular destination around this time of year, thanks to the year-round balmy temperature, sunny weather, and short flight time from the UK (around four hours). But holidaymakers planning on jetting off to Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and even the archipelago’s lesser visited islands such as La Gomera should do so with caution.
Ana Joyanes predicts the surge will worsen over the winter months, and has urged Brits to make sure they’re up to date with all of their vaccines before flying out for their holiday. The expert also recommended any travellers with ‘respiratory symptoms’ should wear a face mask to prevent transmission, so it might be worth packing one just in case.
The Canarian Weekly reported the Ministry of Health is also expected to meet with regional authorities this month ‘to discuss possible mask mandates across four risk levels’. This could result in compulsory mask wearing in places such as waiting rooms and hospital emergency areas. Tourists in the Canary Islands do not have to wear a face covering anywhere at the moment, but new restrictions could change everything if they are imposed.
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