The nationwide epidemic of dengue in Thailand, including popular Phuket, and the growing number of cases in India’s Commonwealth Games city, Dehli are included features of this week’s dengue fever bulletin. The countries covered include: ASIA – India (Maharashtra state, Delhi), Thailand (nationwide, southern), Vietnam; AMERICAS – USA (Florida), Jamaica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Venezuela, Colombia (Bolivar), Brazil (Roraima, Pernambuco). More details.

An earlier bulletin details epidemics and major outbreaks in: ASIA – The Philippines (Capiz, Ifugao, Rizal), Vietnam (southern provinces), Thailand (Ubon Ratchathani), Malaysia, India (Maharashtra State, Delhi); MIDDLE EAST – Yemen; AMERICAS – USA (Florida), Mexico (Tamaulipas), Dominican Republic, Martinique, Jamaica, Honduras, and Costa Rica. More details.

Advice to travellers: We repeat our regular warning that dengue fever continues to pose a significant travel health risk for Australians visiting tropical countries, especially in the Caribbean, Latin America and SE Asia. An effective insect repellent containing DEET or Citriodiol is essential. Apply repellent regularly to exposed skin when outdoors – even within resorts and hotels – at any time of the day. There is no vaccine for dengue: Preventing mosquito bites is the only sure way to avoid the risk.