Current Travel Health Alerts
AFRICA: Meningococcal/ ARGENTINA: Capital on alert for more measles/ AUSTRALIA: Measles outbreak in western Sydney/ BOTSWANA: Malaria rates fall CAMBODIA: Girl, 10, latest bird flu victim/ CANADA: .....
AFRICA: Five more countries hit by meningococcal
Meningococcal disease has spread to five more countries, sickening nearly 12,000 people and killing almost 1000. The WHO said the disease has now struck 10 of 14 countries in Africa's ‘meningitis belt’, affecting Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria and Sudan. Read more.
Advice to travellers: Meningococcal meningitis is an acute, vaccine-preventable bacterial disease transmitted from person to person by coughing and sneezing. The ‘Meningitis Belt’ is subject to large epidemics during the dry season (December to June). Call Travelvax Australia’s free travel health advisory service on 1300 360 164 for more information on Meningitis and other diseases that may be a risk if you travel to this region of Africa. Read more
ARGENTINA: Capital on alert for more measles
The Ministry of Health issued an alert on Friday after a Buenos Aires woman returned from Europe with suspected measles. If confirmed it will be the country’s first case in 12 years. ProMED alert, 27 May.
Advice to travellers: Measles is highly contagious. Given the continuing outbreaks in many regions of the world, Travelvax recommends you check your immunisation status for this and other childhood diseases such as whooping cough, diphtheria, mumps, and polio, 6 weeks before departure.
AUSTRALIA: Measles outbreak in western Sydney
Sydney’s west has recorded 7 cases of measles in recent weeks, prompting a warning from NSW Health. (NSW Health Dept circular to GPs 29/5/12)
BOTSWANA: Malaria rates fall
Malaria intervention techniques like spraying mosquito larvae, bed nets and the early treatment of victims have seen infection rates plunge from 77,555 cases (35 deaths) in 2000 to 1141 cases (7 deaths) last year. One region that continues to record outbreaks is the north-east, notably the Bobirwa district. Read more.
Advice to travellers: Districts of Botswana with malaria include Central, Chobe, Ghanzi, Northeast, and Northwest. Major cities such as Francistown and Gaborone are malaria-free, according to the CDC’s country profile. Depending on your itinerary, you may be recommended to consider taking antimalarial medication. Call Travelvax (1300 360 164) for advice on ways to avoid mosquito bites, including using an effective insect repellent, wearing long pants and sleeves, sleeping in air-conditioned or well-screened rooms, or under a bed net. Read more
CAMBODIA: Girl, 10, latest bird flu victim
A 10-year-old girl from the south-western province of Kampong Speu has died from bird flu (H5N1). Authorities believe she contracted the virus while preparing sick chickens for food. Hers is the third bird flu death this year. Read more.
Advice to travellers: The bird flu virus is associated with high mortality rates, but it poses a low risk for most travellers. Almost all cases have involved local people who were in close contact with sick birds, or with an infected family member. Travellers visiting areas where outbreaks are occurring should maintain high levels of personal hygiene, washing hands before and after food preparation. Read more on bird flu and how to avoid it. Read more
CANADA: Foxes spreading rabies
Rabies is widespread across Labrador this year. Of the 16 cases in red foxes in 2012, 12 have been in Labrador City and Wabush. Ten people have received post-exposure vaccination after being bitten or handling infected carcasses. Read more.
Advice to travellers: Rabies is present in much of the world - including many developed countries. However, the risk in North America generally is low, avoid contact with all animals - wild or domestic - and seek urgent post-exposure treatment if bitten.
GERMANY: Hantavirus on the rise
Rates of Hantavirus have risen to unprecedented levels, with 852 cases since last October – 580 in the southern state of Baden-Wurttemburg, Eurosurveillance reports. While there have been no deaths, 69% of patients were hospitalised and 75% suffered renal impairment.
Advice to travellers: The main Hantavirus strain in Western Europe is the Puumula virus, which humans contract through exposure to the excrement of bank voles. The increase in cases may be due to a rise in the number of voles due to climatic factors or beech trees producing high quantities of seed. A further increase in cases is likely this summer. Read more
GHANA: Two more anthrax deaths
Anthrax has killed two people in Balungu (Bongo district, Upper East region) after they consumed infected meat. Last months, the disease killed 2 people and 20 cows in Gogo (Bawku West district). Read more.
Advice to travellers: Anthrax is a low risk for travellers. Humans can become infected with gastrointestinal anthrax by eating undercooked meat or handling products from infected animals, or by breathing in anthrax spores from infected animal products, such as wool and hides.
INDIA: Malaria hits Mumbai; Dengue back in Chennai; Fatalities in Tirunelveli
Maharashtra has had more than 13,000 pre-monsoon cases of malaria this year, the majority in Mumbai (5374), Gadchiroli (1789) and Thane (1317). Read more. India’s north east is the country’s main high-risk region for malaria, according to the WHO’s malaria map of India.
Despite government denials, doctors report dengue in Chennai. Outside the city, almost 1500 cases were recorded across Tamil Nadu State in the past month, with 29 deaths in hard-hit southern districts. Read more.
The death of an infant from dengue in Radhapuram (Tirunelveli) from dengue fever on Saturday has taken the local death toll to 28. Despite coming off a peak of 60 cases a day, patients continue to be treated in the corridors of overcrowded hospitals. Read more.
INDONESIA: Monkey did not have rabies
Blood tests showed the macaque monkey which killed a villager in Bali recently was not infected with rabies, easing fears the disease may infect more animals. According to the animal welfare group, ProFauna, the traditional method of culling problem monkeys is cruel and the group has called for a more humane approach. Read ProFauna’s statement.
LATIN AMERICA: Dengue rife in Brazil, Paraguay, Ecuador
In BRAZIL, Rio has now had 112,143 suspected dengue cases, with 22 deaths – 19 in Rio city (80% fewer than in the same period last year). Fortaleza is in the grip of a dengue epidemic with almost 10,000 of the Ceara State’s 14,199 cases (5 deaths) this year. In Alagoas State, there have been 11,896 cases this year – a rise of 121% on 2011 – with epidemics in 34 municipalities. Despite relatively few cases, Sao Paulo state is on alert after dengue type 4 was found to be circulating in the Baixada Santista region. Read more (ProMED alert translation, May 28)
PARAGUAY has announced two new dengue deaths. They take the national toll to 44 from 15,687 confirmed cases to mid-May. Read more (ProMED alert translation, May 28) Read more
ECUADOR has announced 4 deaths from dengue in the coastal provinces of Manabi, Guayas and El Oro, taking the toll to 17 from 8399 cases this winter. The government has confirmed 140 severe cases, raising fears of new deaths. Manabí is the hardest hit, with 8 deaths from 2205 cases, includes 43 with severe infections.
MALAYSIA: Dengue rate up 21%
An average 400 new dengue cases are being recorded each week. The 9607 cases from January to May 19, represents a rise of 21% on 2011. There have been 20 deaths compared to 12 in the same period last year. Read more.
NIGERIA: Five new polio cases
Five polio cases in the states of Kano, Yobe, Borno, and Katsina were announced last week as vaccination campaigns are planned for these and other high-risk states. Read more.
With cases continuing to occur in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Chad, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has launched an Emergency Action Plan to address funding shortfalls. Read more
PAKISTAN: Deadly measles outbreaks
A measles outbreak in Fata (Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa) and Balochistan has killed 12 children, while in Karachi 20-25 children are receiving hospital treatment for measles each day. Read more
http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/05/22/city/karachi/karachi-at-risk-from-measles-outbreak/
In remote Bajaur, which lies near the Afghanistan border, measles has killed at least 8 children in the past three days and dozens more are sick. Read more.
PHILIPPINES: Dengue intensifies on Mindanao
In Zamboanga (Mindanao Island), dengue has intensified during May, with 130 cases and 3 deaths bringing the totals to 864 and 12 respectively. Read more
SRI LANKA: Rains bring dengue spike
As expected, persistent rains have now pushed dengue numbers past 11,600 cases and 53 deaths this year. Read more.
THAILAND: More dengue like in June - government
An expatriate resident of Phuket has become the island’s first dengue victim this year. There have been 153 cases on the island this year – well up on 2011’s figures. Read more
The government has warned of the risk of dengue during the June rainy season, when case numbers typically peak nationwide. Read more.
Nine people – five of them from the same household – have died and 3 others are in a critical condition after eating poisonous mushrooms in the Sop Moei district (Mae Hong Son province). Read more.
TAIWAN: New dengue case
A locally acquired case of dengue fever has been confirmed in Kaohsiung, in southern Taiwan, following a group infection in neighbouring Tainan in early May. There have now been 25 cases this year. Read more.
UGANDA: Measles widespread
Measles has spread to 18 of Uganda’s 46 districts. Of the 3900 cases this year, the majority are among children aged 4-14, prompting a mass measles-polio vaccination campaign in 14 districts this week. Read more.
A fresh cholera outbreak in the Nebbi district has killed 2 people and sickened 56. More than 1150 people have now been infected since March. Read more.
UNITED KINGDOM: Rabies death; Scattered measles outbreaks; Mumps on Mann
A woman who contracted rabies while visiting relatives in India has died in a London hospital. It’s been revealed she was sent home three times by her GP and a hospital’s emergency department before eventually being diagnosed. Read more.
England and Wales recorded 447 measles cases to the end of April – 80 more than the same period last year. The HPA reports most have been in England’s North West region (260 cases), with clusters in East of England, the West Midlands, and London. Read more.
On the Isle of Mann, public health officials at an outbreak of mumps, mainly effecting young adults. Read more.
VIETNAM: CDC issues HFMD warning
The US CDC has warned American travellers heading to Vietnam about the current epidemic of hand, foot and mouth disease. Cases have now passed 50,000, with 27 deaths – all in children under 5. Cities and provinces hardest hit by the virus’ potentially fatal EV71 strain include Hai Phong, Bac Can, Yen Bai, Da Nang, Lao Cai, Hoa Binh, Vinh Phuc, Quang Tri, Binh Dinh and Dong Thap. Read more.
Advice to travellers: HFMD mainly occurs in children, but adults are not immune from infection. While most recover without treatment, paralysis or death can occur in severe cases. It is spread by direct contact with infected persons, or from surfaces contaminated with the virus. Good hygiene practices greatly reduce the risk of infection. There is no vaccine or preventative medication.
