Travel in Europe: Stay safe from deadly West Nile Virus!

 

Hello dear friend,

Just saw an article on West Nile Virus and I see it's the season again!  I've had this illness a couple of times myself and discovered something that keeps that kind of mosquito away, so am sharing that info. Please read on: 

Hello, and welcome!  

I hope you are keeping well!  I'm very glad that you stopped by. A headline caught my eye today which made my blood run cold: "Fears grow over spread of deadly West Nile virus after a woman 'in perfect health' died in Spain having been bitten by a mosquito" (Daily Mail Online) Though I have no plans to go to Spain the reason for my reaction is that I have had this virus, and quite badly. And so I wanted to warn you about it. The virus first arrived in Athens, where I was living, in 2010 and I caught it in the July. 

In the Daily Mail article it says, "British holidaymakers travelling to Spain have been warned about the deadly West Nile virus for the past few years and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recently raised fresh concerns, with its weekly update showing new outbreaks in Greece and Italy." 

The virus is transmitted by the West Nile mosquito, which I can tell you is larger than the regular ones you may be familiar with. Not all of these insects are infected with the virus - I was bitten countless times before I got ill - but if they feed on the blood of infected wild birds they then pass that infection onto humans when they feed on our blood. Yuck! 

There is a whole list of symptoms accompanying the West Nile Virus infection. I felt a little unwell at the start, and a bit off my food, but then felt very unwell indeed, and nauseous, with strange body pains moving around randomly, a temperature, fatigue, weakness, and so on. Actually, I was unwell for about three months. The virus can also cause encephalitis - inflammation of the brain, and this can be fatal.  

The good news, yes there is good news, most people, (about 80% statistically) don't experience any symptoms when infected. But it is far better to try to avoid infection, I think you will agree. You can do this by taking some preventative measures. 

1. Use an insect repellent before going out. Reapply as advised. 

Check out these links for the best repellents: 'Which' recommended   ; 'expert reviews' recommended

2. Be aware that mosquitos are most active at dusk, so maybe stay indoors then.

3. If you are very vulnerable / susceptible to bites consider covering up - long trousers and long-sleeved tops.

4. Be aware that mosquitos love hiding in the shrubbery. I've been bitten alive in outdoor restaurants that have surrounded their boundaries with potted greenery.

5. At night keep windows and doors closed and use your air-conditioning to keep cool.

Just a final comment on insect repellents. In 2010 when, as I said, the West Nile mosquito first arrived in Greece I tried numerous repellents and none of them worked! (I understand they have now been upgraded and do work.) In desperation I tried citronella, which the Greeks swear by, but these new mosquitos ignored it and still bit me. Finally, I found something that worked: geranium oil. So now, I never visit Greece without some. And I put it on before I exit the plane! I simply put a drop in my hand, rub my hands together to spread it, then dab it on my face, and all other areas of exposed skin, and even random bits of clothing - anything to keep the mozzies away! And it does. 

 May God bless you and keep you safe from West Nile virus and all manner of mishaps as you take a well earned break from routine.

Teresa x

P.S. If you are looking for a novel to take on holiday with you why not load up your Kindle with my Angel at the Paradise Hotel?  It is an absorbing summer read! 

"Angel at the Paradise Hotel is an inspiring, touching and moving novel for the ages, generating faith, optimism, and, above all, hope. A very enjoyable read, which I highly recommend!" Georges N. Chamchoum, Emmy and multiple award-winning film director and producer

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore / In Australia / In New Zealand

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk) You could check out my short video on the Goodness of God

If you enjoy reading my posts - and thousands of you do, from all over the world, I'm thrilled to say! - I think you will enjoy getting in deeper into my work for even more effective results. That's why I've listed my other books below. All are available as e-books as well as hard copies, which makes them very affordable. I've added lots of links so you can check them out.

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore/ In New Zealand / In Australia

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

 

Angel at the Paradise Hotel: Read in the sunshine or about it!

Hello and Welcome! 

Wherever you are in the world thanks so much for stopping by! I'm in the UK where we are really getting into autumn. The day is gloomy and wet and the temperature  is cool. If it's the same where you live you could grab a copy of my Angel at the Paradise Hotel and curl up with it for a touch of sunshine. If, though, you are moving into summer, like my friends in countries such as Australia and New Zealand, Angel the Paradise Hotel is a great summer read! 

Angel at the Paradise Hotel is Christian fiction - romance / suspense. In it I conjure up the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. I chose to make the book entertaining yet, hopefully, thought-provoking. 

What's the novel about?

When tourism transforms a fishing village on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu, old hatred, envy and greed threaten to tear the community apart. Behind the scenes, personal demons fuel division while guardian angels battle to neutralize their influence.

Hotelier Jason - planning to get rich - ruthlessly chases his goal, unaware of the trouble and danger he is stirring up. Three visitors from Ireland, America, and Wales bring their own problems. Clare, running from a broken relationship, is drawn into a love triangle with Jason. Aeron, battling a mid-life crisis, is closer to despair than he realizes - while Bethany, jolted by a Big Birthday into doing a Shirley Valentine, is hoping it will sort her life out.

As the sizzling summer unfolds, each faces make-or-break challenges. Extra help is at hand though, with the arrival of Gabriella, angel of Greece. When meddling demons prevail, and smouldering greed and vengeance reach flashpoint, can she avert disaster? 

"Angel at the Paradise Hotel is an inspiring, touching and moving novel for the ages, generating faith, optimism, and, above all, hope. A very enjoyable read, which I highly recommend!" Georges N. Chamchoum, Emmy and multiple award-winning film director and producer

For a beach read check out Angel at the Paradise Hotel In Australia / In New Zealand

As this is a Christian novel set in Corfu it is threaded with Greek Orthodox practices - in a deliberately light, yet informative way.  Those of you familiar with the Greek lifestyle will recognise them, and others will learn. Greeks involve God in their whole life. For instance, when they open a new business, say, a shop, office, taverna, whatever, they invite a priest to come along and give it a blessing, and make an occasion of it. And in those places they hang icons in pride of place, which remind them to pray there. It's not that they make heavy pious weather about them, it's that God is an integral part of their lives. 

Here is a lovely new review of Angel at the Paradise Hotel

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

The writing in this book was phenomenal. I would never believe this was the author's debut novel. The writing style has such a perfect flow with a great combination of dialogue and internal monologues. I also loved the way the plot unfolded. Beautifully written with good characters and dialogue. It's a very detailed book with interwoven characters with good character development. The driving force behind this though is the story, it moves effortlessly and is so engaging.

Wendy Black (Reviewer) | NetGalley  

Take a look inside or order Angel at the Paradise Hotel in the UK / In the US /In Singapore

The book is available as Kindle and paperback.

Find out more about the novel's Backstory on my dedicated blog

I'd love to hear from you. Here's a link to check out my website:  And you could leave your comments there if you prefer.  

Blessings,

Teresa x 

PS You may like to check out my other two books.

Living alongside Greeks for many years, their openness about living their religion really rubbed off on me. While living in Athens I wrote my book 9 Days to Heaven. The book shows very simple methods of opening out to the love of God, and welcoming Him into your everyday life. 

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore  / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

In Pray Then Listen I share more of my way of sharing my life with God. 

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore / In New Zealand / In Australia

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!