Shifting disease patterns and outbreaks affect the recommendations and information we provide to travellers during a pre-travel consultation. Each week Travelvax updates the current travel health alerts to reflect those issues which could affect travellers heading to a particular region or country. We do this by scanning the websites of health agencies such as the World Health Organization and the European and US Centers for Disease Control, as well as international news media. Simply click on the point on the map of your area of interest for more details on the current health alert. We also include Advice for Travellers which gives background information and tips. If you have any further questions, of course you can give our Travelvax infoline a call during business hours on 1300 360 164.
World travel health alerts for 18th of April 2024
5 European countries reporting rise in psittacosis respiratory infections
AUSTRIA: 5 European countries reporting rise in psittacosis respiratory infections
Five European countries have reported an unexpected rise in infections involving psittacosis respiratory disease, including 5 deaths. Psittacosis is a bacteria known to affect birds. Countries reporting cases are Austria, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands. The patients were reported to have contact with domestic or wild birds. Read more
Advice for travellers
Psittacosis is an infectious disease usually spread to humans from infected birds in the parrot family. Birds in the parrot family, or psittacines, include parrots, macaws, budgerigars (parakeets or budgies), and cockatiels. Domestic turkeys and pigeons have also infected people. Bacteria called Chlamydia psittaci cause the disease. Read more
WHO warns of yellow fever spread in 13 African countries
The World Health Organization (WHO) released an outbreak notice that 13 countries in Africa are reporting ongoing yellow fever cases. The warning is for the other countries who have mosquitoes that are capable of spreading the disease, to increase their surveillance of possible transmission via travellers. Read more
Advice for travellers
Yellow fever virus is a mosquito-borne disease found in tropical and subtropical areas in Central/South America and Africa. While it can be severe, yellow fever infection is a very rare in Australian travellers. However, under the International Health Regulations (IHR), proof of vaccination may be required of any traveller entering or leaving an area at risk of yellow fever transmission. Read more about yellow fever.
China reports 3 more H9N2 avian flu infections
Hong Kongs centre for health protection have reported more H9N2 avian flu infections. The infections raise the country's number of H9N2 infections to four in 2024. All cases are in children from three different provinces. Read more
Advice for travellers
Human H7N9 cases continue to be reported throughout China, often linked to the wet markets where poultry is sold. However, there has been no sustained person-to-person transmission. While bird flu poses a low risk to most travellers, a second wave of infections is underway in the eastern mainland provinces of Guangdong province, Zhejiang province, and the city of Shanghai, as street markets ramp up ahead of the Lunar New Year later this month.
Yellow fever cases and fatalities reported
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have reported 7 cases of yellow fever in 3 countries with 4 fatalities including Colombia, Guyana and Peru. Read more
Advice for travellers
Yellow fever virus is a mosquito-borne disease found in tropical and subtropical areas in Central/South America and Africa. While it can be severe, yellow fever infection is a very rare in Australian travellers. However, under the International Health Regulations (IHR), proof of vaccination may be required of any traveller entering or leaving an area at risk of yellow fever transmission. Read more about yellow fever.
Czech Republic struggles to contain surge of whooping cough
Whooping cough is on the rise across Europe, with the Czech Republic reporting over 3,000 cases, the highest case numbers since 1963. Read more
Advice for travellers
Travelvax Australia recommends that all travellers ensure they are current for whooping cough (pertussis) and all childhood vaccinations, including, diphtheria, measles, chickenpox and tetanus for travel to any destination – be it a developed or developing country. Read more about pertussis.
Odisha state has highest malaria cases in India
According to the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC), Odisha, on the Bay of Bengal, had a reported 42,000 cases of Malaria in 2023. Other high case areas were Chhattisgarh (31,713), Jharkhand (31,140), West Bengal (26,493), Tripura (22,412), Maharashtra (16,164) and Uttar Pradesh (13,585). Areas of hot and humid climates is more conducive to mosquito breeding and malaria transmission. Read more
Advice for travellers
Malaria is widespread in India and can occur in both rural and urban areas, including major cities. Travellers visiting India should discuss their itinerary and the possible need for anti-malaria medication during a pre-travel medical consultation. Read more on malaria in India.
India cities listed for worst air pollution
The extent of air pollution across Asia has been laid out in a new report, with 99 of the 100 cities with the world’s worst air pollution located in Asia. The worst pollution is in India with 83 cities on the list, most of these cities exceeding the WHO air quality threshold by more than ten times. Begusarai, in India is identified as the most polluted city and exceeds WHO guidelines by 23 times. Read more
Advice for travellers
Breathing in air pollutants can irritate your airways and may cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, asthma episodes and chest pain. Read more
Lassa fever case fatality rate rises
The Federal Republic of Nigeria continues to tackle an ongoing Lassa fever outbreak reporting new cases and deaths. Almost 700 cases have been reported for 2024 with approx. 130 deaths – a case fatality rate of over 18%. Read more
Advice for travellers
Lassa fever is an acute viral illness that occurs in West Africa, notably in Nigeria, Guinea, and Liberia. As many as 300,000 cases and 5,000 deaths occur each year. However, Lassa is a remote risk for travellers. Rodents shed the virus in urine and droppings and it is spread between humans through direct contact with the blood, urine, faeces, or other bodily secretions of an infected person. Read more about Lassa fever.
Polio cases reported
Reports of 2 wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases from the districts of Balochistan, Pakistan. The cases had onset of paralysis on 22 February 2024 and 29 February 2024. Read more
Advice for travellers
Poliomyelitis is a potentially serious viral illness that is spread through contact with infected faeces or saliva. The risk to travellers is generally low, however vaccination is recommended for travel to affected regions and is a requirement for travel to/from some countries. If at risk, adults should have a booster to the childhood series. More on polio.
Two human H5 avian flu case
Health officials in Vietnam's Khanh Hoa province have confirmed a 21-year-old university student with H5 avian flu infection. Another case is a 37-year-old man from Tien Giang province in the southern part of the country. An investigation revealed that the man lived adjacent to a poultry market, but there were no reports of sick or dead birds near the family's home. Read more
Advice for travellers
While bird flu is often fatal in humans, there has been no sustained person-to-person transmission. Infection occurs after contact with the saliva, mucous or faeces of infected birds or surfaces contaminated with them, which makes the disease a low risk for most travellers. Australians travelling to a region where the disease is present or an outbreak is occurring should avoid contact with birds or poultry in marketplaces, wash their hands before and after preparing food, and observe strict personal hygiene. Read more on bird flu and how to avoid it.