Local medical experts have issued an urgent health warning to any holidaymakers planning to visit the Canary Islands for some winter sun over the next few months
Across the UK, holidaymakers will be keen over the next few months to get away from the cold, wet weather and the long evenings that are the hallmarks of the winter months. There are a few popular destinations when it comes to Brits trying to escape to some winter sun, but none match up to the holiday hotspot that is the Canary Islands.
However, any tourists planning a visit to the iconic archipelago should heed an urgent warning recently issued by the local health authorities. Whether you are heading to Tenerife, Lanzarote, Grand Canaria, Fuerteventura, El Hierro, La Gomera, or La Palma over the next few months, it’s important that you take the proper precautions to keep yourself, your family, and the locals in good health.
As reported by GB News, flu and COVID infections have been on the rise in the Canary Islands, with “Recent data from the Carlos III Health Institute reveals an incidence rate of 794 cases per 100,000 residents for Covid, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in mid-October.” This is double that of two months before in mid-August.
Health expert Ana Joyanes – the president of the Canary Islands Association of Primary Care Physicians (AMAPCAN) – has warned that they are expecting this to continue to increase over the winter months, and have urged any vulnerable travellers to ensure that they are up-to-date on their vaccinations. This aids in avoiding serious strain on the health services across the archipelago and reducing the risk of serious illness.
Joyanes said, “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.” The report added that the Ministry of Health will meet in November to decide if mandatory mask-wearing needs to come into hospitals, and the four risk levels dependent on infection numbers. “Anyone with respiratory symptoms should wear a mask to prevent transmission,” Joyanes warned.
Preventative measures like keeping your vaccinations up to date if you are vulnerable – this includes those who are asthmatic or obese – and wearing masks when symptomatic can help keep transmission rates in check. Each year millions of Brits head to the Canary Islands, with UK tourists making up one of the key markets for the region. With weather averaging around 21 degrees Celsius in the winter, it’s a popular hotspot for winter breaks, as well as the more extreme heat of the summer.
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