Dengue Virus and Zika Virus Seroprevalence in the South Pacific Populations of the Cook Islands and Vanuatu.

Arboviral diseases are serious threats to global health with increasing prevalence and potentially severe complications. Significant arthropod-borne viruses are the dengue viruses (DENV 1-4), the Zika virus (ZIKV), and the chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Among the areas most affected is the South Pacific Region (SPR).

Lead exposure by E-waste disposal and recycling in Agbogbloshie, Ghana.

Background: Agbogbloshie in Ghana is the world's biggest dumpsite for the informal recycling of electronic waste (e-waste). E-waste is dismantled by rudimentary methods without personal or environmental protection. Workers and occupants are exposed to lead.

Occupational Aspects of Alpine Helicopter Rescue Operations: Recommendation of the Medical Commission of the Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme.

Helicopter rescue operations in the mountains or at high altitude are well-known as strenuous tasks often associated with some risk. However, there is no standardized procedure for preventive checkups of rescue personnel by occupational care professionals. Therefore, the Medical Commission of the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA MedCom) suggests the procedure presented in this study.

Tropical infections as occupational diseases among young volunteers in social projects.

Purpose: The trend of volunteering overseas has increased tremendously over the last decade. Volunteers often go to regions where they are exposed to the risk of tropical infections like malaria, dengue, typhoid fever and schistosomiasis. Health assessments have shown a high occurrence of tropical infections among young volunteers.

Ski Mountaineering-Scientific Knowledge of This New Olympic Sport: A Narrative Review.

Ski mountaineering (skimo) has been accepted as a new sport for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. The equipment used in this competitive ski mountaineering varies from leisure ski mountaineering equipment mainly in one point: the minimal weight. At the elite athlete level, skimo demands both maximal endurance performance and a high-intensity anaerobic capacity for the sprint and vertical races.

Cardiovascular Risk Profiles and Pre-Existing Health Conditions of Trekkers in the Solu-Khumbu Region, Nepal.

Background: High-altitude tourist trekking continues to grow in popularity on the Everest Trek in Nepal. We examined which pre-existing cardiovascular and health conditions these global trekkers had and what health issues they encountered during the trek, be it exacerbations of pre-existing conditions, or new acute ones.

Method: Trekkers ( = 350) were recruited from guesthouses along the Everest Trek, mostly at Tengboche (3860 m).

Companion Rescue and Risk Management of Trekkers on the Everest Trek, Solo Khumbu Region, Nepal.

Background: Trekking to high-altitude locations presents inherent health-related hazards, many of which can managed with specific first aid (FA) training. This study evaluates the trip preparation, FA knowledge, and FA self-assessment of trekkers (organized by tour operators vs. individually planned tours).

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) seroprevalence in the South Pacific populations of the Cook Islands and Vanuatu with associated environmental and social factors.

Background: Arthropod-borne diseases pose a significant and increasing risk to global health. Given its rapid dissemination, causing large-scale outbreaks with severe human infections and economic loss, the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is one of the most important arboviruses worldwide. Despite its significance, the real global impact of CHIKV remains underestimated as outbreak data are often incomplete and based solely on syndromic surveillance.

Variables Influencing the Pressure and Volume of the Pulmonary Circulation as Risk Factors for Developing High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE).

Background: At altitudes above 2500 m, the risk of developing high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) grows with the increases in pulmonary arterial pressure. HAPE is characterized by severe pulmonary hypertension, though the incidence and relevance of individual risk factors are not yet predictable. However, the systolic pulmonary pressure (SPAP) and peak in tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TVR) are crucial factors when diagnosing pulmonary hypertension by echocardiography.

Analysis of local drinking water for fecal contamination in Solu-Khumbu / Mt. Everest region, Nepal.

Background: To evaluate the drinking water quality in the popular trekking area of Solu-Khumbu Mt. Everest region as a possible source for the high incidence of diarrhea.

Material And Methods: Drinking water samples (n = 80) were collected from whatever primary source the locals/tourists used at altitudes 2,608 to 5,180m; and where possible, also from inside households.

Are small airplanes safe with regards to COVID-19 transmission?

Social distancing is impossible in small aircrafts but there is a specific, highly effective ventilation system. Measurements proved that there is no crossflow between pilot, copilot and backseaters. Terefore the risk of infection should be very low.

Temporary threshold shift after noise exposure in hypobaric hypoxia at high altitude: results of the ADEMED expedition 2011.

Objectives: To evaluate whether there is an increased risk for noise-induced hearing loss at high altitude rsp. in hypobaric hypoxia.

Methods: Thirteen volunteers got standard audiometry at 125, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz before and after 10 min of white noise at 90 dB.

Spatiality in Health: The Distribution of Health Conditions Associated with Electronic Waste Processing Activities at Agbogbloshie, Accra.

Background: A walk through the Agbogbloshie e-waste recycling site shows a marked heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of the different e-waste processing activities, which are likely to drive clustering of health conditions associated with the different activity type in each space.

Objective Of Study: To conduct a spatial assessment and analysis of health conditions associated with different e-waste activities at different activity spaces at Agbogbloshie.

Methods: A choropleth showing the various activity spaces at the Agbogbloshie e-waste site was produced by mapping boundaries of these spaces using Etrex GPS device and individuals working in each activity spaces were recruited and studied.

Inpatient treatment of trekkers and Nepalese workers in the high-altitude environment of Mt. Everest Region 1996-2011: A retrospective analysis.

Background: The study investigates the diagnoses of inpatients (tourists and Nepali workers) of Kunde Hospital (Mt.Everest region) over 15 years.

Methods: Records from January 1996 to September 2011 were analyzed concerning date, gender, age group, nationality, purpose of visit, diagnosis, length of treatment, and condition at discharge.

Pediatric and adolescent injury in wilderness and extreme environments.

The participation of children and adolescents in wilderness and extreme environment sports is increasing. Engaging in these activities is not without risk of injury, illness, or death. To date, there is limited research investigating pediatric and adolescent injuries in wilderness and extreme environments.

Autologous Conditioned Plasma Versus Placebo Injection Therapy in Lateral Epicondylitis of the Elbow: A Double Blind, Randomized Study.

 There are various therapeutic approaches to the treatment of lateral epicondylitis, a highly prevalent musculoskeletal disorder. Recently, injection therapy with autologous conditioned plasma (ACP) has shown promise as a new approach.  Set up as a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial, this study involved 50 patients with lateral epicondylitis.

Surviving Naegleria fowleri infections: A successful case report and novel therapeutic approach.

Naegleria fowleri is a deadly human pathogen recognized as the causative agent of Primary Amoebic Meningitis (PAM). N. fowleri is commonly found in warm freshwater environments such as natural or man-made lakes, hot springs, and resort spas frequented by tourists.

Injury trends in rock climbers: evaluation of a case series of 911 injuries between 2009 and 2012.

Objective: Rock climbing is a widely performed sport. This prospective single-institution study evaluated the demographics of climbing-related injuries to improve our comprehension of current injury characteristics.

Methods: During a 4-year period, 836 patients with a total of 911 independent climbing injuries were prospectively evaluated using a standard questionnaire and examination protocol.

Workload during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Objectives: Lay resuscitation is crucial for the survival of the patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Therefore, lay CPR should be a basic skill for everyone. With the growing proportion of retired people in the Western societies, CPR performed by people with preexisting diseases and at risk of cardiac events is expected to grow.