Dengue fever remains at epidemic proportions in nine of the country’s regions, over-reaching last year’s figures for the same period by over 75 percent – in the last reporting week, more than 14,000 cases and 46 deaths were recorded. And dengue isn’t the only infection proliferating during the wet season: warnings have been issued by Calabarzon health authorities on the risk of leptospirosis through contact with polluted water – there have already been 75 cases and 12 deaths in the region. Elsewhere in the region, the NEA in Singapore is advising that 156 dengue clusters are active (as of Aug 26) and the YTD case total now sits at 10,750 cases. Bangladesh is experiencing its most severe dengue epidemic – more than 5,500 people are currently receiving treatment for dengue infection in Dhaka hospitals. In related news, a second locally-acquired case of chikungunya has been reported in New Taipei City, Taiwan, one month after the country’s first ever case was detected in a man from the same northern city. And in Thailand’s south, the highest burden of chikungunya is claimed by the provinces of Tak, Pattani, Phitsanulok, Surat Thani and Songkhla. On a national level, the more than 6,000 cases represent ‘a ratio of 9.52 persons for every 100,000, which is the highest in five years’. Read more
Advice for travellers
The symptoms of chikungunya fever are similar to dengue fever and both are transmitted by the same mosquitoes – the day-time feeding Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. 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.