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 24th of April 2024
Polio Public Health Emergency of International Concern
The thirty-eighth meeting of the Emergency Committee (EC) under International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 was convened on 20 March 2024 to review the data on wild poliovirus (WPV) and circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV). The statement from the EC provides the background to the emergency and the detail on the current situation. In addition to listing the current polio status, the Emergency Committee now also stipulates whether a country is no longer infected by wild poliovirus 1 (WPV1) or circulating vaccine derived poliovirus (cVDPV); a country assessed as 'no longer infected' will be monitored for a further 12 months. The countries which have had changes to their polio vaccination recommendations since the last meeting in Dec 23 are: Angola, Eritrea, Israel, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Ukraine. Read more
Advice for travellers
Advice for travellers: Polio 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.
Chikungunya resurgence
Chikungunya (CHIKV) is a re-emerging endemic arbovirus, a viral disease transmitted by the _Aedes aegypti_mosquito. There is currently no specific treatment for the infection; the main public health impact lies in the sequelae left by the disease: severe joint pain can become chronic and last for years. Argentina is reporting 388 cases of which 220 cases locally, mainly in the Santa Fe region. Brazil is reporting 144 985 cases nationally; with 68 deaths and an additional 107 under investigation. The American Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a travel warning for Timor Leste which has reported 195 cases of chikungunya, with neighbouring countries such as Thailand, Pakistan and Malaysia also reporting cases in 2024. Senegal has been experiencing and ongoing outbreak, there have been over 300 cases of chikungunya in West Africa. Most interesting is the emergence of a novel variant in this situation in Senegal.
Read more
Advice for travellers
Chikungunya virus is spread by the same daytime-feeding mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever. There is no vaccine licensed in Australian and preventing infection relies on avoiding mosquito bites. Apply an effective repellent when outdoors to all exposed skin. Read more about chikungunya.
Flu and whooping cough cases surge
Australians are being urged to get their annual jab, as flu rates surge nationally. NSW Health is urging residents to get vaccinated with influenza rates predicted to be just as severe as or worse than in 2023. Chief health officer Kerry Chant said in 2023 more children were admitted to intensive care with severe life-threatening complications. The latest national surveillance figures have revealed there have been more than 39,823 notifications of laboratory confirmed influenza reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) in the year to 23 April. Read more
Australia is currently experiencing a whooping cough outbreak, with 2,799 cases recorded in the first three months of 2024. The states most affected are Queensland and New South Wales, each reporting over 1,000 cases. Interestingly, the last time Queensland recorded more than 1,000 cases in a three-month period was back in the first quarter of 2013. Health authorities are urging people to get vaccinated against whooping cough and be vigilant for symptoms, especially in young children. Read more
Advice for travellers
The 2024 flu season is well underway in the southern hemisphere and Travelvax Australia recommends vaccination for all travellers over 6 months. Seasonal flu is the most common vaccine-preventable travel-related illness, posing a risk aboard aircraft, in crowded airport terminals, and at your destination. Travellers should also avoid close contact with people showing flu-like symptoms, and thoroughly washing hands using soap and water after using the toilet and before eating. Hand sanitiser is a convenient alternative if soap and water is not available. Read more
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.
4th country to report Oropouche virus
Oropouche fever is a disease transmitted by _Culicoides paraensis_known as maruim or mosquito-pólvora, has been reported in Colombia, the fourth country in the Americas to report cases of the disease this year, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said in an epidemiologic update. The infections were detected via retrospective case-finding from 187 samples collected in 2024 by Colombia's National Health Institute as part of dengue surveillance. The patients are from Amazonas and Meta departments. Amazonas is in the far south, and Meta is the central region. The disease is spread by midges and some mosquito species. Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru have also reported cases this year. The number of cases in Brazil have risen to 55. Read more
Advice for travellers
All travellers to endemic regions are potentially at risk of Oropouche fever and should be aware of this infection. There are no vaccines or drugs to prevent Oropouche. The best way for travellers to prevent infection is to protect themselves against mosquito bites. Minimise the amount of skin exposed, long-sleeved shirts, pants and socks should be worn as much as possible. Apply insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin or Citriodiol (PMD) to exposed skin. Stay in well-screened or air conditioned areas. Travellers developing a fever and/or flu-like symptoms either during or on return home from travel to outbreak areas are advised to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Read more
Hepatitis A alert for Medellín
The Medellín Health Secretariat issued an epidemiological alert on April 17 due to the unusual increase in hepatitis A cases this year. Between January 1 and the present date, 431 cases have been reported, representing a 230% increase compared to the same period in 2023, during which 179 cases were recorded. The majority of the cases have been reported in urban areas such as Popular, Manrique, San Javier, and Belén. Read more
Advice for travellers
Hepatitis A (HAV) is a vaccine-preventable viral disease passed on to humans primarily through oral contact with faeces of an infected person. This can occur through contaminated food and water, by handling everyday items and sexual contact. It is a significant risk in travellers to developing countries where sanitation and hygiene are lacking. A course of hepatitis A vaccine offers immunity that is highly effective and offers long term protection. It is also important to follow safe food and water guidelines.
Fatal confirmed Rabies
The local Timor-Leste government reported its 1st confirmed fatal human case of rabies on the 22nd of March 2024. The country was classified as rabies-free. The case, from Oecusse, with a history of dog bite on 26 Dec 2023, went to a local health center on 20 Mar 2024 and died on 22 Mar 2024. As of 26 Mar 2024, a total of 29 suspected rabies cases in humans, with exposure to dogs, were reported in Oecusse Municipality this year. , Located on the north coast of the western portion of Timor, Oecusse is separated from the rest of East Timor by West Timor, Indonesia, which is part of the province of East Nusa Tenggara. Read more
Advice for travellers
Rabies is present in most countries and all travellers should be aware of the importance of avoiding contact with wild and domestic animals. If bitten or scratched, urgent post-exposure treatment is required. Vaccination is normally recommended for longer stays, especially travellers planning to live in, or travel extensively through, rural areas and also for children; however the final recommendation is itinerary-specific. Read more on rabies.
Rise of vaccine preventable diseases
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has issued warnings about an alarming rise in measles cases across Europe. Between March 23 and Oct February 24, there have been 5770 measles cases reported in several EU Member States, including 5 deaths. There is also an increase in pertussis cases has been reported since mid-2023 in several EU/EEA countries, with preliminary data indicating a more than 10-fold increase in cases in 2023 and 2024 compared to 2022 and 2021. Read more
Advice for travellers
Travelvax Australia recommends travellers check their status for these and other routine childhood immunisations, such as tetanus, diphtheria, measles, chickenpox and whooping cough (pertussis) ahead of departure.
Dengue fever surges
According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Dengue cases are surging in the Americas, with cases reported topping 5.2 million as of this week, surpassing a yearly record set in 2023. Puerto Rico's health secretary declared an epidemic on Monday [25 Mar 2024] following a spike in dengue cases. In Peru, 20 of the country's 25 region are under a health alert due to the epidemic, which has surged to more than 155 000 cases, the government said this week. Samoa declared a dengue fever outbreak on Friday [19 Apr
2024]. More than 250 cases have been reported, with the majority on the mainland, northwest of Upolu, where most of the population lives.
Advice for travellers
Dengue is spread by two types of Aedes mosquitoes. Both breed close to dwellings, are found in shady areas and bite mainly during the daylight hours, making them difficult to avoid. 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, or PMD when outdoors to all exposed skin. Read more about Dengue Fever.
Gastro outbreak cruise liner
Several passengers have been sickened during a cruise ship outbreak of a gastrointestinal illness aboard Silversea Cruises’ Silver Nova. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said 28 of the ship’s 633 guests and one crew member reported sickness during a voyage that departed on March 31.The CDC said the cruise line notified guests of the outbreak and isolated those who reported illness. It also enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures. The cruise began in Peru and is set to end today in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Read more
Advice for travellers
Travellers' diarrhoea (TD) is the most common illness of travellers to developing countries, causing illness in up to 70% of western travellers staying for two weeks or more. As with most issues in travel health, prevention is the best option. Pay particular attention to safe eating and drinking practices, as well as maintaining a high level of sanitation and hygiene. Read more