Travel Health Alerts

Oropouche Fever Cases surge

Authorities are alerting of a surge in Oropouche fever cases across South America with approximately 8,000 confirmed cases reported in five countries. Highest case numbers are in Brazil, with cases also in Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba and Peru. Read more

Advice for travellers

Oropouche virus is part of the orthobunyavirus family, with an incubation period of 4 to 8 days. Similar to dengue, symptom onset is sudden and typically includes fever, headache, musculoskeletal pain, chills, and sometimes, nausea. Some patients experience aseptic meningitis. Most patients recover in about a week, but for some, symptoms linger for weeks.

It is mainly spread by a species of biting midge called Culicoides paraensis but can also be transmitted by certain Culex mosquitoes. Read more

Zika infections in Pune

Health officials have reported 6 confirmed zika cases, including two pregnant women in Erandwane, Pune, in NE India. Read more

Advice for travellers

Zika’s symptoms include a rash, pain in the joints, and the eye condition, conjunctivitis lasting 4-7 days. Long-term ill-effects are rare, although the joint pain may linger for weeks, even months. Like dengue and chikungunya, Zika is spread by Aedes mosquitoes which bite by day and are found in urban setting, including leafy gardens and outdoor restaurants – even in upmarket hotels and resorts. Transmission of Zika virus has also occurred during pregnancy, breastfeeding, sexually and also through blood or blood products. Travellers should take particular care to avoid being bitten just after sunrise and just before sunset, the main feeding time for Aedes mosquitoes. All travellers, but particularly pregnant women or those planning pregnancy, should seek medical advice before travel to Zika-affected areas. Read more about Zika virus through healthdirect.  

First polio cases for 2024

Indonesia reported its first three cases of the year, which were in South Papua, East Java, and Highland Papua provinces. In 2023, the country reported six cVDPV2 cases. Read more

Advice for travellers

Poliomyelitis is a potentially serious viral illness that is spread through contact with infected faeces or saliva. The risk to travellers is generally low, however vaccination is recommended for travel to affected regions and is a requirement for travel to/from some countries. If at risk, adults should have a booster to the childhood series. More on polio.

Rabies outbreak in seals triggers warning to Cape Town’s surfers and beachgoers

Reports of aggressive seals attacking and biting surfers has raised fears of rabies infection. Warnings along the beach destinations of Cape Town are in place after more than 10 Cape fur seals tested positive for the deadly rabies virus, in only the second ever recorded instance of the disease spreading to seals. Read more

Advice for travellers

Rabies is present in most countries and all travellers should be aware of the importance of avoiding contact with wild and domestic animals. If bitten or scratched, urgent post-exposure treatment is required. Vaccination is normally recommended for longer stays, especially travellers planning to live in, or travel extensively through, rural areas and also for children; however the final recommendation is itinerary-specific. Read more on rabies.

STEC - E coli outbreak

An outbreak of Shiga Escherichia coli (STEC) has been confirmed with over 300 cases across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Almost 50% of cases were hospitalised with 2 deaths. Health authorities believe lettuce is the source. Read more

Advice for travellers

Escherichia coli (E. coli) are bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of people and animals. Some types of E. coli can produce toxins (Shiga toxins). These are called Shiga toxigenic E. coli (STEC). STEC infections cause a diarrhoeal illness and sometimes can result in Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS) which is a severe condition characterised by kidney failure, bleeding and anaemia. It can sometimes be fatal. Read more

Colorado confirms human bird flu infections

Health authorities have confirmed H5N1 bird flu in 4 people and a 5^th suspected in Colorado poultry workers. Read more

Advice for travellers

H5N1 is one of several influenza viruses that causes a highly infectious respiratory disease in birds called avian influenza (or "bird flu"). Infections in mammals, including humans, have also been documented. Read more

Untreated water tied to salmonella outbreak in cucumbers

Almost 500 people became unwell with salmonella food poisoning which has been linked to untreated contaminated water used on a cucumber farm. Read more

Advice for travellers

Salmonella is a bacterium typically found in food, such as poultry, that causes diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal cramps between 12 and 72 hours after infection. Illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment, although diarrhoea may be so severe as to require hospital treatment. Young children and the elderly are at highest risk of severe illness. As there is no vaccine to prevent salmonellosis, it is best to avoid raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, or meat. Read more

Rabies death

A man in the Kbang District has died two months after a stray dog bite. The patient was not vaccinated and didn’t receive anti-rabies serum after the dog bite. Read more

Advice for travellers

Rabies is present in most countries and all travellers should be aware of the importance of avoiding contact with wild and domestic animals. If bitten or scratched, urgent post-exposure treatment is required. Vaccination is normally recommended for longer stays, especially travellers planning to live in, or travel extensively through, rural areas and also for children; however the final recommendation is itinerary-specific. Read more on rabies.