West Nile Virus Update
This autumn has seen the first case of West Nile virus in Cadiz, with a patient hospitalised by the disease in September. It’s estimated that eight people have died from the virus in Spain this year. The health authorities in the city, which is a popular destination for expats, say that they are taking all possible measures to combat the spread of the mosquito-borne disease. Not everyone infected with West Nile virus exhibits symptoms, which can include a rash, a fever, headaches, as well as physical aches and vomiting, but around 1 in 5 patients do so, and about 1 in 150 will become seriously ill. As we have seen, the illness can prove fatal. Those over 60 are at greater risk, especially if they have pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, cancer or kidney disease.
The biggest current health risk at the moment for expats, however, remains malaria. Around 250 million people are infected annually. The UK’s FCDO says that the biggest risk remains travellers who are visiting friends and family in their home nations and who bring malaria back with them. Because these people are accustomed to travel, they consider themselves to be low risk, but this is not the case. The UK heath authorities say that between 1,500 and 2,000 people are diagnosed with malaria in the UK each year, having acquired it abroad. In 2019, they report that 73% of cases diagnosed in the UK were in people born in Africa. 20% of cases were UK-born individuals.
UK Is ‘Unhappiest’ Nation in Europe
A recent report by the Children’s Society has highlighted the UK as Europe’s ‘unhappiest’ country. The 2024 Good Childhood Report says that young people, in particular, are experiencing crises in mental health. Britain is followed closely by Poland and Malta, with Finland and Denmark conversely scoring highly for personal satisfaction. Children’s Society Policy and Public Affairs manager Jack O’Neill told the press:
“The findings … are alarming and illustrate an unacceptable picture of children’s wellbeing in the UK. It clearly shows that young people in the UK are experiencing lower well-being and life satisfaction compared to their peers across Europe, and that the well-being of young people is also in decline.”
Rising prices which affect the standard of living, bullying in school, anxiety over exams and environmental issues are all factors which, the society reports, affect the mental health of young people in the UK.
Meanwhile the WHO reports concerns over the social media use of teenagers in Europe and online gaming, stating in their Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HSBC) that 11% of teenagers in the EU were using social media to worrying levels. The report, which canvassed 280,000 teenagers aged 11, 13, and 15 across 44 countries and regions in Europe, Central Asia and Canada in 2022, says that it shows “urgent concerns about the impact of digital technology on the mental health and well-being of Europe’s youth.” Boys are at a higher risk than girls, with one in five teenagers engaged in online gaming for more than 4 hours a day. While it can be beneficial in moderation, online gaming can prove addictive. The WHO says that some countries are considering bans on social media engagement for some age ranges of children and adds that:
“Previous research has found that problematic social media users also reported lower mental and social well-being and higher levels of substance use compared to non-problematic users and non-users. This trend, if continued, could have far-reaching consequences for adolescent development and long-term health outcomes.”
The report calls for governments to establish evidence-based programs in schools, encouraging responsible social media use along with online safety, critical thinking skills, and healthy gaming habits.
Healthcare in UAE Proves Popular With Expats
Research company Brand Finance has recently issued the results of a survey demonstrating that the majority of expats canvassed consider that the UAE’s healthcare system is better than that in their home nation. Only 6% think that their home nation’s healthcare system is superior. 84% of the expats surveyed also believe that healthcare in the UAE has improved over the last decade.
Daman, the national healthcare system, is also popular among residents, with SEHA being the highest regarded healthcare provider. There is currently an average annual healthcare spend of AED7,600 (USD2,100) per person. However, over 60% are concerned about the cost of the system, and also about the future impact of issues such as rising temperatures and poor air quality.
Expats Produce New Mental Health Podcast in Dubai
‘You’ve Got This!’ is a new podcast for expat residents of Dubai, launched by therapists Katrina Spartalis and Yvonne Zeljkovic on World Mental Health Day. Both have a wide experience of therapeutic techniques, but the podcast focuses on mental health issues that are more specifically related to expats and migrant workers: burnout, homesickness, isolation and cultural differences. It will feature both discussions and interviews with guests. Kat Spartalis told the local press:
“Our goal with this podcast is to provide expats with direct, accessible mental health support, grounded in both professional expertise and personal experience. Having faced the challenges of relocation ourselves, we understand the emotional strain that comes with living abroad. Our episodes offer relatable, practical guidance that helps expats not only manage these stressors but also find balance, achieve their goals, and thrive.”
The podcast hosts note that the UAE is focusing on mental health issues currently, and the podcast can be seen as a reflection of this. Each 20-minute episode can be found on platforms such as You Tube and Spotify, and via its website here.