Health authorities in Ashanti have warned that the upward trend in neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) reported in the southern region, such as Buruli ulcer, yaws, onchocerciasis and filariasis, warrants new strategies to reduce the burden on public health. Read more
Advice for travellers
Travellers are at low risk of lymphatic filariasis, a parasitic disease caused by thread-like roundworms spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. It is found in sub-Saharan Africa, Egypt, southern Asia, some areas of the western Pacific, the north-eastern coast of Brazil, Guyana, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. While most infections have no symptoms, acute infection can lead to painful swelling of an affected limb, fever, or chills due to bacterial superinfection. Avoiding mosquito bites is the best form of prevention. Last year the WHO launched its road map for responding to NTDs for 2021-2030. Read more.
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.