On 18 January 2022, quarterly epidemiological data on Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), Escherichia coli bacteraemia (ECB), Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB), and surgical site infection (SSI) in Scotland, covering July to September (Q3) 2021, was published under the mandatory programmes for surveillance of CDI, ECB, SAB, and SSI in Scotland. Please note data for SSI are not included due to the pausing of surveillance to support the COVID-19 response.

This report provides data for the third quarter of 2021 in 14 NHS boards and one NHS special health board. In addition, an appendix can also be accessed which details all cases and denominator data for each NHS board and overall for Scotland.

International travel continues to be impacted due to COVID-19, and the number of variant strains which have emerged globally. Guidance on international travel is available for people living in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

On 15 December 2021, all countries were removed from the international travel red list, meaning travellers to the UK from countries previously on the list will no longer have to stay in hotel quarantine for ten days on arrival. Despite no countries remaining on the red list, the policy is continuing in Scotland and some managed quarantine capacity will stay in place in order to react to any change in assessment that would see a country added to the list.

It should be noted that the travel lists may be amended at short notice, and do not indicate which destinations are currently allowing UK travellers to enter their country, nor if the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel to these countries. Information relating to this can be checked on the relevant FCDO foreign travel advice country pages.

From 7 January 2022, people travelling to Scotland from abroad who are fully vaccinated, or under the age of 18, will no longer need to take pre-departure COVID-19 tests, and will also no longer be required to self-isolate on arrival until they have received a negative result. Travellers in this group will still need to complete a passenger locator form (PLF) and take a lateral flow test within two days of arrival in the UK. Anyone who tests positive on their lateral flow test will need to isolate and take a free confirmatory PCR test.

Testing and quarantine rules may differ in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland, therefore travellers must ensure they comply with the rules appropriate to the UK nation they will be arriving in and reside in, if different.

Country specific COVID-19 risk

The fitfortravel (for the general public) and TRAVAX (for health professionals) country pages include a COVID-19 country specific risk-rating, which identifies the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for UK travellers. This information is listed in the Alerts section on each country page of fitfortravel and the Emerging Health Risks section of every TRAVAX country page. This risk-rating identifies each country as having either: 

• a high risk of exposure to COVID-19 for UK travellers, or 
• a risk of exposure to COVID-19 for UK travellers

For all countries, travellers should be aware that the risk of COVID-19 may change at short notice. Countries categorised as having a high risk of exposure to COVID-19 either have a high risk of exposure for travellers to COVID-19, or a high risk of emerging or known variants of coronavirus. Travellers should be advised to avoid non-essential travel to high risk countries, even if fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

As of 7 January 2022, the following countries and territories continue to have a FCDO advisory warning against travel and have therefore been classified as having a high risk of exposure to COVID-19: 

• Afghanistan 
• Burundi 
• Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) 
• East Timor (Timor Leste) 
• Guinea-Bissau 
• Haiti 
• Nicaragua 
• Papua New Guinea 
• Turkmenistan 
• Venezuela 
• Yemen

Advice for travellers

Prior to booking any international travel, travellers must first check if the country they are travelling to is currently accepting UK travellers. 

• The FCDO foreign travel advice country pages have up-to-date information on entry rules, in response to coronavirus (COVID-19), under the Entry Requirements section.
• Travellers should be aware that some countries or territories may require proof of COVID-19 vaccination status for entry. Guidance for demonstrating COVID-19 vaccination status is available for those living in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It is advised that travellers are aware of all travel restrictions, self-isolation rules and precautions they should take, in order to reduce their risk of exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) before, during and after travel, as detailed on the fitfortravel COVID-19 health considerations for travel page.

Source: TRAVAX, 10 January 2022

The World Health Organization (WHO) have issued a medical alert after one batch of falsified Combiart medication was identified in Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, and Mali, with this being confirmed by the product manufacturer. Genuine Combiart medication, a combination of artemether and lumefantrine, is used for the treatment of acute, uncomplicated malaria infections due to Plasmodium falciparum, and is effective in regions where chloroquine resistance has been reported.

Advice for travellers

Substandard and falsified, or counterfeit, medical products are a growing problem that occurs throughout the world. A wide range of counterfeit medicines are produced, including antimalarials, antibiotics, blood pressure medicine and vaccines. It is particularly important that travellers are aware that lifesaving medicines used for the prevention and treatment of malaria are often subject to counterfeiting in countries where malaria is a serious risk.

If during travel a traveller requires medication for a new illness or condition, they should be advised: 

• to only purchase medicines from a reputable pharmacy or medical facility and obtain a receipt 
• to inspect packaging closely for signs of poor-quality printing, spelling or labelling, which may suggest counterfeiting
• not to obtain medicines from people or suppliers which are not linked to a reputable pharmacy or medical facility

Travellers who take regular or intermittent medication should be encouraged to obtain these in the UK prior to travel, especially if there is any cause for concern about the legitimacy of medications or medical products at their destination. Whenever possible, travellers should take sufficient supplies of chronic and preventative medicines with them to cover the duration of the trip, potential delays, and lost, stolen or damaged supplies. However, if further medicines need to be obtained abroad then travellers, in addition to the measures above, should also be advised to: 

• carry a copy of their prescription, which should include both the generic and brand names of any medicines they are taking, including prescribed antimalarial medicines 
• ask the pharmacist about the active ingredient in the medicine and check that it is the same as their own medicine

For further information, see the TRAVAX counterfeit medicines and travelling with medication pages.

Source: TRAVAX, 7 January 2022

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published a briefing on trends and projections in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) in 2021. Greenhouse gas emission from stationary installations covered by the ETS dropped by 11.4% in 2020 compared to 2019 levels, the largest drop in emissions since the ETS began operating in 2005. Emissions from aviation fell by 63% as air travel almost halted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The number of available allowances surpassed annual emissions for the first time since 2013, mainly because of low demand. Carbon prices dropped sharply in March 2020 but recovered by the end of the year. EU countries project that their emissions under the trading system will continue to decrease between 41% and 48% by 2030, and between 55% and 62% by 2040, both relative to 2005.

Source: EEA, 12 January 2022

The Scottish Government has published a report presenting findings from a synthesis evaluation of Scotland’s Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) pilot programme, which involved pilot projects delivered by all 32 Scottish local authorities. LHEES will set out long-term plans for energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation for all buildings in each local authority area, which is reported to be crucial in delivery of national emissions reduction and fuel poverty targets.

Source: Scottish Government, 14 January 2022