Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services has given notice of a rise in tick-borne infections this year, even as it announced the death of a man from the West Central district from Rocky Mountain spotted fever - the first fatality in five years. Read more
SOME sites around South Lake Tahoe were shut to visitors recently after testing in the area detected fleas that were carrying plague bacteria. The testing followed last month’s confirmation of the first human plague infection in five years. Insect control measures were being deployed to enable all facilities to re-open by Labor Day. Advice from the Forest Service for anyone visiting the area includes staying on the marked trails, using insect repellent, suitable clothing and avoiding all contact with rodents. Read more. Elsewhere, Mongolia’s bubonic plague death toll has risen to three with another fatal case this week – in western Zavkhan province. The man was known to have eaten marmot meat – the animals are a significant reservoir of plague bacteria in the region. There have been 18 suspected bubonic plague infections this year in Mongolia with 17 of the 21 provinces currently considered risk areas.
Advice for travellers
Although its incidence has increased in the past 2 decades, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a low risk for most travellers visiting North America, where over 50 percent of cases occur in 5 US states – Arkansas, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. However, it is advisable to take preventive measures to avoid tick bites when outdoors, particularly in warmer months (April-September) when ticks are most active. RMSF can be a severe or even fatal illness if not treated in the first few days of symptoms. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, and muscle pain – with or without a rash. Read more about RMSF.
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.