| Travel Alerts |
Current Travel Health Alerts
BOLIVIA: Yellow fever death; Dengue in Cochabamba, Santa Cruz/ CHINA: Smog hits extreme levels/ NEW CALEDONIA: Dengue spreading/ SPAIN: Madrid battling leishmaniasis, mumps/ VIETNAM: Border alert for bird fluAUSTRALIA: Alarm over mumps in WA
Doctors in Western Australia (WA) are alarmed by a surge in mumps, with 19 cases in the last 2 months compared with just 2 for the same period last year. Most of the cases have occurred among older teens and young adults in their early 20s living in the state capital, Perth. The cases do not appear to be linked, suggesting the virus is circulating widely in the community, with many cases going undetected. Read more.
Advice to travellers: Mumps is spread by airborne droplets in much the same way as flu and measles. Symptoms include swollen salivary glands, fever, headache, aching muscles, lethargy, and swollen testes in adult men. Travelvax recommends all travellers check their immunisation status for measles and other childhood diseases, including whooping cough (pertussis), diphtheria, mumps, and polio as part of their pre-travel medical preparations – regardless of their destination.
BOLIVIA: Yellow fever death; Dengue in Cochabamba, Santa Cruz
'Jungle' or sylvan yellow fever (YF), where the virus infects wild primates and is transmitted to people by forest mosquitoes, has claimed the life of a man from Oruro, who was infected in a tropical region of the central department (state) of Cochabamba. Health authorities have urged residents to have the vaccine before visiting areas where cases have occurred. Read more.
OUTBREAKS of dengue are also occurring in Cochabamba, as well as in Santa Cruz Department. Read more.
Advice to travellers: Although yellow fever is generally a low risk for travellers, the mosquito-borne disease is endemic in parts of both South/Central America and Africa. Returning travellers may be required to show proof of vaccination when entering certain countries, including Australia. The Aedes mosquitoes that carry both yellow fever and dengue are daytime feeders and inhabit urban areas. Australians travelling tropical areas typically face a higher risk from dengue – regardless of their type of accommodation or length of stay. Travellers should cover up and apply an effective repellent at all times outdoors.
BRAZIL: Minas Gerais nears 30,000 dengue cases
Health authorities report dengue outbreaks in the states of Sao Paulo (Soracaba – 132 cases), Brazilia Federal District (susp/conf 800); Goias (20,793), Goiania (11,604), Minas Gerais (29,517, 2 deaths), and Parana (3439). Read more.
Advice to travellers: As this week's alerts confirm, dengue outbreaks continue in numerous Central and South American countries. With no vaccine available, visitors should take measures to avoid mosquitoes and other biting insects. Dengue is spread by two types of Aedes mosquitoes, which are found in urban/peri-urban areas and mainly bite during the daylight hours. Travellers should cover up with long-sleeved tops, long pants, and shoes and socks when mosquitoes are most active. Apply repellent containing an active ingredient, such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus when outdoors to all exposed skin.
CHAD: Yellow fever cases revealed
There was belated news this week of 9 deaths and 139 suspected cases of yellow fever in regions of Chad bordering Sudan's Darfur region in December. Darfur recorded 165 deaths and 762 suspected of the mosquito-borne disease late last year. The findings have prompted an urgent vaccination campaign to begin this week, targeting more than 1 million people in Chad's vulnerable border districts, the WHO advised in a statement.
CHINA: Smog hits extreme levels
Extreme pollution in Beijing and other provinces have disrupted traffic and flights, with smog reducing visibility to as little as 5 metres. The air quality index reached 500, or extreme pollution. Read more.
Advice to travellers: There are a number of measures travellers visiting smog-affected areas can take to reduce the harmful effects of smog: Minimise time spent outdoors, reduce physical exertion, keep hotel windows and doors closed, turn your air conditioner to 'recirculate' mode. If you use an inhaler or carry medication for chronic conditions, carry them with you at all times, and pack over-the-counter saline solution or eye drops to minimise irritation.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Dengue claims 3 victims
To mid-February, 1323 cases have been recorded, including 3 deaths. Read more.
ECUADOR: Steady rise in dengue cases
There have been 2 dengue-related deaths among 722 cases recorded to mid-February. Read more.
EL SALVADOR: San Miguel dominates dengue cases
There were 377 confirmed dengue cases in January, almost one third in the eastern department (state) of San Miguel. Read more.
HONDURAS: Dengue on the rise in Olanch
Dengue activity is increasing in the huge eastern department of Olanch, which borders El Salvador. Read more.
INDIA: Dengue increasing in Mumbai; Malaria, Chikungunya in Pune
Dengue activity is increasing in Mumbai, with 94 cases to Feb 11. Maharashtra State officially recorded 1008 cases and 5 deaths last year. Read more.
LOW levels of malaria and Chikungunya fever continue to be reported in Pune, the second largest city in Maharashtra State after Mumbai. Read more.
KENYA: North hit by dengue; Leishmaniasis suspected
Dengue has claimed 3 victims among at least 300 cases in the Mandera District, located on the Ethiopian and Somali borders, since January. Also in the north, there have also been unconfirmed reports of leishmaniasis in the Wajir district. Read more.
MADEIRA: Dengue lingers on
The island's disastrous dengue epidemic continues to smoulder, with 28 cases this year bringing the total to 2164 since October 3 last year. In addition to residents, 78 tourists from Europe were diagnosed after visiting the Portuguese-controlled island. Read more.
MEXICO: Bird flu forces cull; Guerrero's dengue cases soar
Mexico will slaughter 486,000 chickens after an outbreak of bird flu was detected in the central state of Guanajuato. Last year, an outbreak of the virus in the western state of Jalisco forced farmers to slaughter 22 million hens, sparking an egg crisis in Mexico, the world's top consumer of eggs per capita. Read more.
WITH 250 cases, Guerrero State has had almost a quarter of the 1061 infections recorded nationwide in the first 5 weeks with 250 infections, followed by the Yucatan Peninsula (187), Veracruz (118), Michoacan (106), Quintana Roo (89), and Jalisco (36). Read more.
NEW CALEDONIA: Dengue spreading
Dengue continues to spread, with 500 cases reported in the first fortnight of February after 965 during January. There has been one fatality. Read more.
PAKISTAN: Measles reaches new highs
Around 142 new cases of measles have been reported in Punjab Province, almost a third in the capital, Lahore. The latest cases bring the provincial tally to 3678. Read more.
PARAGUAY: New strain brings fresh dengue fears
Dengue type 4 is now circulating, raising the prospect of fresh epidemics among those never previously exposed to the strain. There have been more than 13,000 confirmed cases and 34,612 suspected cases and up to 38 deaths during the current epidemic. Read more.
PHILIPPPINES: Misamis's dengue count now 21
The dengue epidemic in Misamis Province has now claimed 21 lives among 1356 cases. Read more.
PUERTO RICO: Dengue cases tipped to rise
The country's dengue epidemic has resulted in almost 15,000 confirmed or suspected cases, mainly the type 1 strain (79%), but also type 4 (21%). Authorities say rates are increasing. Read more.
SPAIN: Madrid battling leishmaniasis, mumps
Municipalities of southern Madrid are at the centre of an ongoing epidemic of visceral leishmaniasis, which has continued into 2013. Around 150 cases were recorded last year and almost 500 in the last 3 years. Leishmaniasis is spread by the bite of a female sand fly that has previously bitten an infected animal, with Madrid's dogs the main reservoir for the parasite. Read more.
MADRID and neighbouring regions are experiencing an outbreak of mumps, which is mainly affecting children. Read more.
Advice to travellers: Leishmaniasis is spread by sand flies and is widespread in the tropics, subtropics and southern Europe, including the Mediterranean. Typically, the risk for travellers is low. Use an effective repellent to avoid bites when sand flies are active. Read more on leishmaniasis.
SYRIA: 2500 typhoid cases in Deir al-Zor
An estimated 2500 people have contracted typhoid after drinking contaminated water from the Euphrates River, the WHO said on Tuesday. The outbreak is occurring in Deir al-Zor Province, in the opposition-held north-east. Read more.
UGANDA: Measles toll reaches 5
In 2 months, the measles toll has risen to 5 deaths from 141 cases in the Kabwooya Sub-county of Hoima following the latest death, a 3-year-old child. Read more.
UNITED KINGDOM: Novel virus claims UK victim; Measles surge across north
The novel corona virus, NCoV has claimed its first UK victim, a man who caught it from his critically ill father. Five others have occurred in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The dead man had a chronic health condition and weakened immune system, which doctors say made him more vulnerable to the severe pneumonia-like symptoms it can cause. His father became infected while travelling to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in late January. Read more.
IN northeast England, a sudden spike of 29 confirmed or suspected cases of measles in South Tyneside during the second week of February has prompted authorities to urge parents to immunise unvaccinated children. The recent cases bring the total to as many as 155 in the region since September. Read more.
THERE were 865 laboratory confirmed cases of the highly infectious viral illness in the North West in 2012, compared to just 52 the year before. Read more.
USA: STI's on the rise
America has around 110 million cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with some 20 million new cases each year. And, the problem is only getting worse, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Over half of these infections are in teens and young adults aged from 15 to 24. Read more.
Advice to travellers: Travellers should always use latex condoms during sex with any new sexual partner. Because STIs can go unnoticed, it is important to get a check-up when you get home if you've had unprotected intercourse with a new partner during your travels. There is a wide range of STIs, however vaccines are available only for Hepatitis B and Human papilloma virus (HPV). Read more on STIs.
VENEZUELA: Dengue hits Carabobo
Carabobo State is a hot spot for dengue and authorities expect activity to increase. Read more.
VIETNAM: Border alert for bird flu
Concerned over bird flu deaths in Cambodia and China, immigration officials are monitoring travellers for illness at border crossing, as well as clamping down on illegal cross-border sales and transport of poultry. Read more.
ZIMBABWE: Malaria flares in the east
Malaria has killed 10 people and another 22,480 received treatment last week following a significant outbreak in the eastern province of Manicaland. Worst affected have been the Buhera and Mutare districts, while several deaths were also recorded in Mutoko and the capital, Harare. Malaria has killed a total of 32 people and infected another 62,587 this year, according to this media report. Read more.
Advice to travellers: Malaria is widespread in Zimbabwe and travellers should discuss appropriate malaria prevention medication with their travel doctor or GP. Malaria cases in Harare are rare as the disease is usually found in areas below 900m. High-risk areas include Mutare, Gokwe, Mutoko, Dande, Chikombedzi, Mudzi, Hwange, and Mt Darwin.