A series of public campaigns planned to take place throughout the year in Bangkok are aimed at stemming new dengue fever cases. The city reported a total of 1,500 infections (with one death resulting) between Jan 6 and Apr 27. Read more. Countrywide, up to May 1, there had been at least 18,000 cases of dengue with 27 deaths; authorities have forecast there will be up to 95,000 cases this year.
THE 15-24 YEAR age group is now contributing a substantial proportion of the rising number of syphilis infections, with as many as 30 percent admitting to practicing unsafe sex. An official with the Department of Disease (DDC) control has also said that ‘citizens are becoming sexually active at a younger age (averaging about 13 to 15 years old)’. Read more
PUBLIC health authorities in the UK have reassessed their advice for pregnant travellers to Thailand. From information available on the Travelhealthpro website: ‘Following recent reports of Zika cases in travellers to Thailand [1] and review of available evidence, the advice for pregnant women travelling to Thailand has been upgraded. Pregnant women are advised to avoid travelling to Thailand until after the pregnancy.’
Advice for travellers
Zika’s symptoms include a rash, pain in the joints, and the eye condition, conjunctivitis lasting 4-7 days. Long-term ill-effects are rare, although the joint pain may linger for weeks, even months. Like dengue and chikungunya, Zika is spread by Aedes mosquitoes which bite by day and are found in urban setting, including leafy gardens and outdoor restaurants – even in upmarket hotels and resorts. Transmission of Zika virus has also occurred during pregnancy, breastfeeding, sexually and also through blood or blood products. Travellers should take particular care to avoid being bitten just after sunrise and just before sunset, the main feeding time for Aedes mosquitoes. All travellers, but particularly pregnant women or those planning pregnancy, should seek medical advice before travel to Zika-affected areas. Read information on smartraveller (DFAT).
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.