Travel: Departures: Healthy holidays

MEDICAL Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad has launched a telephone service: dial 0891 224 100, detail the countries to be visited, and Masta will send a health brief by return of post for pounds 5, or by fax for pounds 7. Masta is based at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Each brief offers information on mandatory and recommended immunisations; prevalent seasonal diseases and how to combat them; the latest health news from the countries to be visited; and the latest advice from the Foreign Office on other travel risks.