Current Travel Health Alerts

ARGENTINA: Dengue spreading

Cordoba, with 14 new cases, continues to be the focus of a dengue outbreak also effecting Salta (11) and Jujuy (1). Read more.

Advice to travellers: Much of Latin America continues to be affected by outbreaks of this mosquito-borne disease. Dengue is spread by two types of Aedes mosquitoes found mainly in urban areas. They bite mainly 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.

AUSTRALIA: Mozzie disease alert

Residents and visitors to North Queensland have been warned that recent flooding could create perfect conditions for mosquito-borne diseases such as Ross River fever, dengue fever and Barmah Forest virus. Read more.

(As reported last week, 77 cases of dengue had been recorded to the end of February in Cairns, as well as several in Port Douglas.)

Advice to travellers: Dengue fever currently presents a risk to residents and travellers alike in parts of North Queensland where the disease is occurring. Like dengue, Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses can be very debilitating. As there's no specific treatment or vaccine for these mosquito-borne viruses, travellers visiting areas affected by recent flooding or continuing rain should take all measures to prevent mosquito bites. It is especially important to use an insect repellent containing an effective ingredient such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on all exposed skin when outdoors. The vector mosquitoes for all three are most active during the day, especially in the early evening.

BRAZIL: Dengue toll now 33

The national dengue tally is almost 205,000 cases for 2013, including 33 deaths. Minas Gerais State has accounted for 48,720 cases (12 deaths), including 6789 cases (6) in Uberaba. Piaui State has now recorded 345 cases. Read more.

 

CHINA: Measles strikes in Anhui

Measles has been reported in eastern Anhui Province, with the cities of Fuyang, Bengbu, Huainan, Bozhou, and Hefei chiefly effected. Most of the 225 confirmed cases were among infants under 12 months, who are too young to be vaccinated. Read more.

Advice to travellers: Measles is highly contagious. If necessary, consider a booster or primary course against this and other childhood diseases, such as whooping cough (pertussis), diphtheria, mumps, and polio as part of your pre-travel preparations 4-6 weeks before departure.

COLOMBIA: Dengue on the rise

Dengue activity is increasing. Antioquia (600 cases), Huila, Tolima, Valle, Cundinamarca, and Norte de Santander (900) are among the departments (States) reporting outbreaks. To March 1, 6161 cases had been reported. Read more.

 

CAMEROON: Measles, Yellow fever reported

Authorities have reported outbreaks of measles (609 confirmed cases, 73 deaths) and Yellow fever (1184 confirmed or suspected). Read more.

 

CONGO: Cholera claims 8 in Pointe-Noire

Cholera has killed 8 people among 289 cases in Congo's second largest city, Pointe-Noire, following torrential rain. There are fears the epidemic could worsen during the forthcoming rainy season. Read more.

Advice to travellers: Cholera is generally a low risk for most short-stay travellers. However Australians heading to hyper-endemic cholera countries, such as Haiti or its neighbour, the Dominican Republic should strongly consider vaccination. Those heading to countries where cholera occurs should adhere to strict personal hygiene and opt for safer food and beverage options. Travelvax's free telephone advisory service (1300 360 164) can advise you on the risk for your particular journey, and whether you should consider vaccination.

 

CONGO DR: Measles kills 1-in-4 kids

In the north, measles is killing 1-in-4 children, especially those already weakened by malnutrition. The WHO estimates 800,000 children are not immunised against the disease. Read more.

 

COSTA RICA: Dengue fatality

Dengue cases have topped 3500 cases this year – almost 1000 more than in the same period in 2012. Health authorities have confirmed the first death from the disease since 2010, when a record 36,351 cases were recorded. Read more.

 

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Dengue hotspots

The provinces of Manabi (368 cases), Guayas (366), Sucumbios (344), Los Rios (187), and El Oro (119) have reporting most of the 1600 dengue cases recorded nationwide this year. Read more.

 

ECUADOR: Dengue widespread

Twenty of Ecuador's 24 provinces are affected by dengue, with 1990 cases and 3 deaths in the first 2 months. Read more.

 

EGYPT: 800 typhoid cases this year

Denying that typhoid was sweeping the nation, a senior health official confirmed 800 had been recorded this year – an average 400 a month. Typhoid tends to spread in the hot summer months. Read more.

Advice to travellers: Typhoid is spread by contaminated food and beverages. It is generally considered a low risk for those staying for short periods in hotels or resorts in countries where the disease is present. Vaccination is recommended for those travellers staying in budget accommodation in endemic areas where hygiene is lacking – especially if staying for more than 2 or 3 weeks. Follow these safe food and water guidelines.

 

EUROPE: Flu in decline

Flu continues to decline, with more countries reporting decreased activity. While Belgium, Finland and Germany reported high influenza intensity with higher than usual level of influenza activity, 22 countries reported medium intensity, according to the ECDC's latest bulletin (Mar 1). Read more.

Advice to travellers: Travelvax recommends flu vaccination to all Australians travelling overseas as they are likely to be exposed to the virus in transit, at airport terminals, as well as encountering people from regions experiencing flu outbreaks at their destination. Seasonal flu vaccine is now available around Australia.

HONDURAS: High rates of DHF

The national dengue tally is almost 1500 cases, including 259 more serious dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) infections. Read more.

 

INDIA: Typhoid hits Pune; Leishmaniasis, Lyme disease claim victims in Kerala

In Pune City (Maharashtra State), at least 46 people have tested positive for typhoid since January. Read more.

IN THE southern state of Kerala, leishmaniasis has been reported in the Kozhikode district, including one death. Read more.

ALSO in Kerala, 5 cases of Lyme disease, including 1 death, in communities within Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary are likely to be linked to ticks feeding on deer in the park. Read more.

Advice to travellers: Both leishmaniasis (spread by bites from infected sand flies) and Lyme disease (ticks) are a low risk for most travellers. However, Lyme disease is the most common human tick-borne infectious disease in the northern hemisphere, occurring predominately in temperate regions of North America, Europe and Asia. The potential for tick bites increases with time spent walking in forests and rural areas. There is no vaccine for either disease and avoiding insect bites by using an effective personal insect repellent is the best form of prevention. For more advice, call Travelvax on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines).

MALDIVES: Surge in hand foot and mouth disease cases

There's been a spike in cases of hand foot and mouth disease (FHMD) this year, the Health Protection Agency has warned. Read more.

Advice to travellers: HFMD is spread by direct contact with infected persons, or from surfaces contaminated with the virus. The disease mainly occurs in children and good hygiene practices will greatly reduce the risk of infection. There is no vaccine or preventative medication.

MEXICO: Dengue hot spots

The official national dengue tally is now 1745. The states most affected include Guerrero (319 cases), Veracruz (205); Michoacan (174), Quintana Roo (147), Yucatan (124 confirmed), and Campeche (6). The outbreak in Tamaulipas State (48) is spreading. Read more.

 

NIGERIA: Measles, meningitis in north

Measles outbreaks are occurring in northwestern Jigawa State and the neighbouring states of Kano (800 cases), Katsina, Kebbi, and Zamfara, along with sporadic cases of meningitis. Read more.

Ten children have been hospitalised with measles in Niger State, where 6 communities have been affected by outbreaks. Read more.

 

PAKISTAN: Measles in Multan; Fears of wider Leishmaniasis epidemic

In Punjab Province, more new cases have boosted the measles tally in the city of Multan to almost 100. Read more.

Almost 1300 cases of leishmaniasis have been recorded this year in inaccessible regions of Khyber Agency, with experts fearing the epidemic will spread without effective control measures. Read more.

Advice to travellers: Leishmaniasis is highly endemic in Afghanistan and the tribal areas of Pakistan. Spread by sand flies, leishmaniasis is endemic in 88 countries, with an estimated 1-1.5 million cases of the cutaneous form of the disease reported worldwide each year. Travellers should cover up with long sleeves and pants, and apply an insect repellent containing an effective active ingredient, such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin when outdoors, especially around dusk.

PARAGUAY: Dengue soaring

The national dengue tally is nearing 50,000 cases, with 27 confirmed deaths and another 20 under investigation. In Paraguari Department, an outbreak was reported recently in Carapegua, with a total of 80 confirmed or suspected cases. Read more.

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Dengue campaign underway

The WHO has joined with the government in a mozzie-eradication campaign to curb the islands' dengue outbreak, which has resulted in at least 379 infections in Honiara alone. Read more.

 

SRI LANKA: Japanese encephalitis under control

After a spike of 8 cases (1 death) of Japanese encephalitis (JE) in Ratnapura and Kurunegala during December and January, the outbreak has eased, officials say. Read more.

 

THAILAND: Dengue fears prompts national campaign

Fearing a dengue major epidemic of up to 150,000 cases and 120 deaths this year, the ministry of health has sought the support of all government agencies in a nationwide public health campaign. New cases are running at an average of over 1200 a week, with almost 10,000 cases and 12 deaths recorded nationwide in the first two months of the year. Read more.

 

UNITED KINGDOM: Gonorrhoea rates rising; Concern over measles

Gonorrhoea cases have risen by 25% in England as drug-resistant strains of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) take hold worldwide. Nearly 21,000 new cases were diagnosed in the UK in 2011. Read more.

MEASLES is causing concern in the England and Wales. In Northeast England, where 223 confirmed or suspected cases have been recorded since September and new infections are being reported daily. In South Wales, 189 measles cases have now been reported in Swansea, Neath, and Port Talbot since November.

Meanwhile, rates of whooping cough are falling in England and Wales after combined highs of 835 cases in December. Read more.

 

VENEZUELA: Dengue reaches new areas

The states of Lara, Portuguesa, Barinas, Trujillo, Aragua, Carabobo, Zulia, and Miranda recently reported new outbreaks of dengue fever, bringing the national tally to 6185 cases and an undisclosed number of deaths. Read more.