A single fatal MERS infection was announced in a resident of Doha last month – there was no history of travel or contact with dromedary camels – and a further two asymptomatic cases were found through contact-tracing. The WHO continues to recommend extra measures for travellers to regions reporting MERS: ‘people with … underlying medical conditions should avoid close unprotected contact with animals, particularly dromedary camels, when visiting farms, markets, or barn areas where the virus is known to be potentially circulating. General hygiene measures, such as regular hand washing before and after touching animals and avoiding contact with sick animals, should be adhered to.’ In related news: already this month MERS cases have been reported from Medina and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and a vaccine trial is currently underway in the kingdom. Read more
Before you travel, call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for country-specific advice and information. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.