AUSTRALIA: MVE warning for NSW
ARGENTINA: Leishmaniasis spreading across the north
BOLIVIA: Dengue emergency in La Paz
BRAZIL: Surge of dengue in Rio; Bahia fears epidemic
CHINA: Hunt on for source of fatal bird flu
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: New cholera outbreaks
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Cholera death toll passes 500
ECUADOR: Measles returns after 15 years
FIJI: Nanoko’s typhoid cases mount
FRANCE: New wave of measles predicted
INDIA: More P.falciparum in Rajasthan; Methanol poisoning kills 17; Encephalitis toll reaches 643
PAKISTAN: Dengue waning in Sindh
PHILIPPINES: Leptospirosis follows devastating floods
RUSSIA: Measles ‘imported’ into Voronezh
UGANDA: Measles now widespread
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Authority refutes malaria reports
VIETNAM: 166 young lives lost to HFMD
ZAMBIA: Major typhoid outbreak in Mupambe
AUSTRALIA: MVE warning for NSW
After 2 human cases last summer, Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) is back in the NSW-Victoria border region. While there have been no recent human cases, NSW health authorities sounded a warning last week after detecting the mosquito-borne virus in sentinel chickens at Leeton, Hay and Moama, and in the Macquarie Marshes, in western NSW. Likely areas of risk include the Murray, Darling, and Paroo rivers and their tributaries, as well as recently flooded western areas. Read a media report. More on MVE.
Advice to travellers: While the risk of contracting MVE is low, the virus can cause severe illness, even death in very rare cases. The vector mosquitoes are active at dawn and dusk, particularly in the first two hours after dark. They pass on the virus to humans after feeding on infected birds attracted to flooded wetlands. Travellers to wetland areas of Australia should take all measures to prevent bites. Apply an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin when outdoors. Mosquito coils or vapourising mats are effective indoors, however devices that use light to attract and electrocute insects are not. When camping, cover all windows, doors, vents and other entrances with insect screens, use flyscreens on caravans and tents, or sleep under a mosquito net.
ARGENTINA: Leishmaniasis spreading across the north
Cases of leishmaniasis have been reported in Eldorado as the sand fly-borne disease continues to spread across Argentina’s north. Read more (ProMED, Dec 29).
Advice to travellers: For short-stay travellers, leishmaniasis generally presents a low risk. However, they should use an effective repellent to avoid sand fly bites. The disease is widespread in the tropics, subtropics, and southern Europe. Read more on leishmaniasis.
BOLIVIA: Dengue emergency in La Paz
Bolivia has declared a health emergency following epidemics of dengue fever types 1 and 2 in La Paz (82 cases), Cochabamba (164), and Santa Cruz (87) departments. Municipalities close to local rivers have been worst affected. Read more (ProMED, Jan 2).
BRAZIL: Surge of dengue in Rio; Bahia fears epidemic
In Rio de Janeiro state, Rio city had a dengue surge in mid-December (86 cases from Dec 18-24), capping a year when 75,936 cases (51 deaths) were registered. The city’s hotspot neighbourhoods were Campo Grande (14,694 cases), Bangu, Realengo (10,509), and Barra, Jacarepagua (9715). With dengue type 4 circulating throughout Bahia for the first time, the state is on alert for an epidemic in coming weeks. Read more (ProMED, Jan 2).
CHINA: Hunt on for source of fatal bird flu
Health officials are anxious to trace the source of the H5N1 strain that killed a 39-year-old bus driver from Shenzhen on Saturday – the first reported human case of bird flu in 18 months in China. Read more.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: New cholera outbreaks
After finally subsiding in hard hit Equateur province, cholera is being reported in the national capital, Kinshasa, and in far eastern South Kivu province. To date, there have been a total of 21,500 cases (575 deaths). Read more.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Cholera death toll passes 500
The number of cholera cases slowed towards the end of 2011. After crossing the border from Haiti in late 2010, the disease has now taken a heavy toll: 20,700 suspected or confirmed cases, and over 500 deaths in more than half of its 31 provinces.
Advice to travellers: The risk of cholera for most short-stay travellers is low, however Australians travelling to regions where outbreaks are occurring should adhere to strict personal hygiene guidelines and choose food and beverages with care. Travelvax can offer advice on whether vaccination should be considered. Call 1300 360 164.
ECUADOR: Measles returns after 15 years
Tungurahua province has recorded 130 of the total 165 cases of measles recently – the first outbreak since 1996. Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Guayas, Pastaza and Pichincha provinces have also reported cases.
Advice to travellers: Regardless of their destination, Australian travellers who have not had measles or have not received two documented doses of live virus vaccine should consider a booster. We also advise travellers check their immunisation status for childhood diseases such as whooping cough, diphtheria, mumps, and polio, as part of their pre-travel medical preparations.
FIJI: Nanoko’s typhoid cases mount
A typhoid outbreak in Nanoko village (western Viti Levu) shows no signs of abating. Three villagers were rushed to the Lautoka Hospital on Friday, the latest of 40 residents to contract the disease. A quarantine order will continue until January 12. Read more.
Advice to travellers: Typhoid is a persistent problem in Fiji. However, as advised previously, the disease presents a low risk for those planning short stays in hotels or resorts. However, travellers should follow safe food and water guidelines, and personal hygiene practices. Vaccination is more likely to be recommended for travellers staying in rural areas, and for adventurous eaters.
FRANCE: New wave of measles predicted
A fourth wave of measles is ‘very likely in coming weeks’, according to health authorities. There have been 22,000 cases since the first wave in January, 2008. Among the 15,000 'third wave' cases to November last year, 16 people experienced neurological complications, 649 had severe pneumonia, and 6 died. Read more (ProMED, Jan 1).
INDIA: More P.falciparum in Rajasthan; Methanol poisoning kills 17; Encephalitis toll reaches 643
In Rajasthan state, prolonged rain in 2011 led to an increase in malaria on the previous year. More worrying was a sharp increase in the number of Plasmodium falciparum cases. Read more.
In Andhra Pradesh, a batch of methanol-laced alcohol has killed 17 people since the New Year weekend. The deaths came just weeks after 170 died after drinking alcohol adulterated with methanol in West Bengal.
Encephalitis claimed 2 more children in eastern Uttar Pradesh state last week, taking the toll to 643 this year. Some 82 others are being treated for Japanese encephalitis or the mystery acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) in hospitals in Basti and Gorakhpur. Read more.
Advice to travellers: Malaria is present year-round in rural and urban areas of India and the number of potentially fatal P. falciparum cases is increasing generally. Avoiding insect bites is essential: apply an effective insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, to exposed skin at all times when outdoors. Travellers to India should discuss their itinerary, the need (or not) for preventative malaria medication and the available options at a Travelvax clinic, or with their healthcare provider.
PAKISTAN: Dengue waning in Sindh
Sindh province recorded just 8 new dengue fever cases in the second half of December, bringing the year’s official total to 1074. Read more.
PHILIPPINES: Leptospirosis follows devastating floods
In the flood-ravaged south, there have been 8 deaths among 300 cases of water-borne leptospirosis in Cagayan de Oro (Mindanao Island). Floodwaters generated by tropical storm Sendong left 1260 people dead, more than 400,000 displaced, with many missing. Read more.
Advice to travellers: Typically, leptospirosis is associated with exposure to floodwaters, so it presents a low risk for most travellers. The bacteria that cause the disease are spread through the urine of infected animals, entering the body through skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth) – especially if the skin is broken.
RUSSIA: Measles ‘imported’ into Voronezh
Five cases of measles were recorded in the far south western region of Voronezh in late December, possibly imported from Dagestan, where 222 cases have been recorded.
UGANDA: Measles now widespread
Measles has been reported in 14 districts of eastern, central and western Uganda. Some 110 cases have been reported in Namayingo district.
UKRAINE: Measles spreading rapidly in the west
Measles is spreading rapidly in the west, with 1112 suspected cases recorded. Read more.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Authority refutes malaria reports
The head of Dubai’s Health Authority (DHA) has hotly denied a media report of a malaria outbreak in the city. An investigation has found several cases were all linked to travel to malaria-endemic countries. Read more.
VIETNAM: 166 young lives lost to HFMD
There were more than 110,000 cases and 166 deaths from hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), most of them children under 5. The infection rate slowed to 1500 cases a week during December after a peak of 3000 per week in September. Read more.
Advice to travellers: HFMD infection mainly occurs in children and there is no vaccine or preventative medication. It is spread by direct contact with infected persons, or with virus-contaminated surfaces. Good hygiene reduces the risk of infection.
ZAMBIA: Major typhoid outbreak in Mupambe
At least 450 people are being treated for typhoid in the Copperbelt town of Mupambe Township after drinking reticulated water contaminated with sewerage. Hundreds more have acute diarrhoea. Read more.
Advice to travellers: Typhoid is spread by contaminated food and beverages and presents a low risk for short-stay visitors in hotel or resort accommodation. Vaccination is more likely to be recommended for those visiting rural areas or those with adventurous eating habits. We advise all travellers to follow safe food and water guidelines.