Late last week, the WHO published a Disease outbreak news update on the chikungunya epidemic centred on the country’s fourth largest city, Abéché, noting that the risk at a national level is moderate in this first outbreak for Chad. The case count listed in the Sept 27 weekly regional bulletin had climbed again to 30,220 (with one death in a young man with a history of sickle cell disease and asthma). And in Cambodia, the chikungunya outbreak continues and is now affecting 21 provinces, however more than three-quarters of the nearly 6,000 cases have been in Preah Vihear, Siem Reap and Takeo. Meanwhile, the ECDC is reporting two other countries which have also registered chikungunya cases since the August update - Brazil and Thailand. The agency’s Sept 20-26 report gives a summary of both dengue fever and chikungunya across the globe.
Advice for travellers
The symptoms of chikungunya fever are similar to dengue fever and both are transmitted by day-time feeding Aedes mosquitoes. Acute joint pain with a rash is typical of chikungunya and while fatal cases are rare, painful joints may persist for weeks or months after the acute phase has ended. There is no vaccine or prevention medication; using an effective, tropical-strength repellent to avoid insect bites is the best form of protection. 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.