On May 21, the WHO Western Pacific office officially declared the interruption of rubella virus transmission in Hong Kong SAR. The achievement follows concerted efforts in disease prevention and control including ‘99% of pre-school children in Hong Kong have received rubella vaccine over the past decade’. Read more
A MAN from Zhenjiang in the eastern province of Jiangsu has been diagnosed with the low pathogenic avian influenza strain, H10N3, the first such case in humans. Health authorities have not released any details on how he acquired the infection, ‘an accidental cross-species transmission’, and no onward spread has been detected. Read more
Advice for travellers
There are several strains of bird flu and while the high pathogenic strains can be fatal, infection generally poses a low risk for travellers – even for those heading to a region where the disease is present or an outbreak is occurring. Travellers should avoid contact with birds or poultry in marketplaces, wash hands thoroughly before and after preparing food, and observe strict personal hygiene. Read more on bird flu and how to avoid it.
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.