World travel health alerts for 12th of May 2021.
Infected salami sickens 119
Nearly 120 residents of the central province of Córdoba have acquired the parasitic infection trichinosis after eating an unlabelled salami product (chacinados). To date most infections have been identified in Toledo, but there have also been reports from Lozada, Río Segundo and the city of Córdoba. Subsequent inquiries found the Trichinella-infected pork product had not be submitted for ‘proper sanitary inspection’ and ProMED notes that the province ‘has seen repeated outbreaks of trichinellosis over the past decade’, stemming from ‘back-yard pigs’. Read more and also information about trichinosis (trichinellosis) from the US CDC.
Dengue hits hard in SE city
A dengue fever epidemic in the SE state of Santa Catarina is centred on its largest city, Joinville. More than 3,300 dengue cases have been recorded for the year to May 1, and there has been one fatality to date – the third reported in the history of the state and the first in northern districts. Read more
Advice for travellers
Dengue is spread by Aedes mosquitoes which breed in shady areas close homes and other accommodation. They bite mainly during the daylight hours and can be found indoors, making them difficult to avoid. Travellers should cover up with long-sleeved tops, long pants, and shoes and socks when mosquitoes are most active. Apply repellent containing an active ingredient, such as DEET, Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus (PMD) when outdoors to all exposed skin. Read more about dengue fever and preventing insect bites.
Lepto uptick after rains
Following an annual trend, the end of the rainy season has brought with it an alert on rising leptospirosis infections and advice from health authorities on preventive measures for people in contact with contaminated freshwater sources. At least half of weekly cases reported since March have been in Tahiti. Also, New Caledonia’s leptospirosis case count has climbed again, with the total now at 186 cases and three deaths since the beginning of the year (cf. 69 cases, four deaths in 2020) – highest rates have been registered in the central-east and in the communes of Hienghene and Kaala-Gomen in the north. Read more
Advice for travellers
Leptospirosis is spread through the urine of infected animals, typically rats. The bacterium enters the body through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth, as well as through broken skin. Outbreaks are typically associated with exposure to floodwaters, making leptospirosis a low risk for most travellers. Read more about leptospirosis.
Ebola outbreak update
As the countdown to the end of the Ebola outbreak continues, the WHO has stressed the need for enhanced vigilance after four new suspected cases were reported (three refused testing) and many of the burials performed in the community were deemed to be conducted in an unsafe manner. The agency does say however that alert reports are falling and also advised that ring vaccination strategies continue in Gouecke in N’Zerekore, as well as Boke and Kankan regions. Read more
Advice for travellers
Ebola virus disease is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever found in humans and other primates (such as monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). It spreads through families and friends in close contact with blood and infectious secretions of people with obvious symptoms and, as such, presents a low risk to tourists to the affected countries. Read more about Ebola virus disease.
COVID-19 infections escalate
Reporting from the May 11 WHO epi update reveals a 79 percent week-on-week increase in new case numbers in Nepal and test positivity is currently sitting at around 45 percent, while ‘India continues to account for 95% of cases and 93% of deaths in the South-East Asia Region, as well as 50% of global cases and 30% of global deaths’. In the wider region, an uptick in infections in Vietnam has led to quarantine for around 60,000 people who were exposed to confirmed COVID-19 cases, and in Thailand, surging case numbers have prompted a mask mandate for all public areas.
In related news -
- Sinopharm’s COVID-19 vaccine BIBP has been granted Emergency Use Listing (EUL) by the WHO, the 6th EUL vaccine. It is an inactivated vaccine for adults 18 years and older, with two doses given three to four weeks apart (and is supplied with a vaccine vial monitor to register cumulative heat exposure). Read more
- Novavax has signalled delays in seeking regulatory approval for its NVX-CoV2373 vaccine, with intent to file in many regions now forecast for the third quarter of 2021. Rolling reviews have been initiated with authorities, including the TGA. Read more
- This week, the WHO determined that the variant B 1.617 (with three sub-lineages), that first appeared in India in October, was to join B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1 as variants of concern (VOCs). While ‘distancing, limiting gatherings, and wearing masks’ appear to work against all four VOCs, the fact they are, or appear to be, more easily transmissible increases the need for strict adherence to these public health measures. Read more
- On May 10, the WHO published the COVID-19 natural immunity scientific brief and advised that ‘More information about considerations on vaccine certificates or “passports” will be covered in an update of WHO interim guidance, as requested by the COVID-19 emergency committee’.
- A summary compiled by CIDRAP expands on the results of three ‘real-world’ studies, rating the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, Comirnaty, as ‘highly effective in preventing coronavirus-related infections and severe outcomes’. In other news, the May 7 JH newsletter reported that ‘this week, Pfizer officials indicated that the company intends to apply for an [emergency use authorisation in the US] for the vaccine to be used in children aged 2-11 years in September. This comes on top of the May 10 announcement by the FDA that it had granted EUA for Comirnaty in adolescents aged 12 to 15 years, with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting today to consider adding its recommendation for use (Canada gave approval for this age group on May 5).
- Mounting evidence suggests COVID vaccines do reduce transmission. How does this work? The Conversation
- WHO unveils global Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence Read more
- In the US, the CDC has issued Phases 2B and 3 of the Conditional Sailing Order for cruise lines.
Measles outbreaks linger in 2 counties
Health authorities report measles activity continuing in two counties, ‘with a new outbreak in Pokot South sub-county’. The outbreak started over 18 months ago and involved five counties initially, however now only West Pokot and Garissa, on opposite sides of the country, are affected. Read more
Advice for travellers
A highly contagious virus, measles occurs in developing and developed countries. While generally benign, infection can result in severe illness or death. Travelvax Australia recommends checking immunisation status to ensure protection against measles and other childhood diseases such as diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis) and mumps.
Health crises mount
More on the ongoing humanitarian crisis, with the regional WHO office reporting alerts for malaria, acute gastrointestinal and respiratory infections and an outbreak of rubella in Tambura County. The presence of vaccine-derived poliovirus 2 (cVDPV2) has been documented in 10 states and in the latest GPEI update, a new case in Jonglei takes the YTD total to six. The only other cVDPV2 report for the week was from Diourbel in Senegal. 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.
Plan of action for CCHF cluster
After two epidemiologically-linked cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) were reported in a refugee camp in the western district of Kikuube late last month, inter-agency response measures were quickly put in place. Close contacts have been placed in isolation pending the results of more tests. The Crimean-Congo virus is known to be present in Uganda’s livestock and wild animals, so animal health and veterinary authorities are closely involved in the response. Read more
Advice for travellers
CCHF virus is transmitted to people either directly by tick bites or through contact with infected animal blood or tissues during and immediately after slaughter. The majority of cases have occurred in people involved in the livestock industry, so infection is a low risk to travellers. Read more about the virus.