Information gathered by GeoSentinel and published this month in Eurosurveillance provides details on 18 chikungunya cases in travellers (13 European, four Asian and one from the Americas) believed to have been contracted between Aug-Oct last year. Twelve different locations are listed as being possible exposure sites. Officially there had been no reported chikungunya cases in Myanmar since 2010.
Advice for travellers
Chikungunya virus is spread by the same daytime-feeding mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever. There is no vaccine and preventing infection relies on avoiding mosquito bites. Applying an effective repellent to all exposed skin and covering up are your best defences. Read more about chikungunya.
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.