World travel health alerts for 18th of October 2023.
First case of diphtheria reported
The first confirmed case of diphtheria in Spain has been reported with 92 cases across Europe since January 2023.
Cases have been reported in Germany (57), the Netherlands (13), Belgium (6), Czechia (6), Latvia (3), Slovenia (3), Norway (1), Slovakia (1), Spain (1), and Sweden (1). Read more
Advice for travellers
Diphtheria is caught by coming into contact with droplets from the respiratory tract of an infected person—particularly spread by coughing or sneezing. If the disease is cutaneous, it can be spread by coming into contact with the wounds or lesions of an infected person. Read more on Diphtheria
Whooping cough levels 10 times higher than normal
The pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak continues in Denmark with the states serum institiute (SSI) reporting that the weekly number of infections has had a significant and concerning increase – recent reports show an average of 200 cases per week, compared to past outbreaks average being around 20 cases per week. Read more
Advice for travellers
Travelvax Australia recommends that all travellers ensure they are current for whooping cough (pertussis) and all childhood vaccinations, including, diphtheria, measles, chickenpox and tetanus for travel to any destination – be it a developed or developing country. Read more about pertussis.
Mass gathering infection monitoring for the Rugby World Cup
ECDC is monitoring infectious disease events that are possibly connected with the Rugby World Cup. The ongoing measles outbreak in the town of Guilherand Granges, Ardèche department, France, has led to 44 reported cases.
ECDC does not yet have the full information to assess the risk of spread into the larger community by those attending the World cup events. Read more
Advice for travellers
Measles is a highly contagious virus and can cause serious illness in people of all ages. Most cases reported in Australia are linked to overseas travel - both developing and developed countries. Travelvax Australia recommends travellers check their immunisation status for measles and other childhood diseases such as diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis) and mumps 6 weeks before departure.
Polio update
Last week, the GPEI announced a majority of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) cases: Chad’s single case was in Mayo Kebbi Est, Nigeria had two reports from Zamfara and Niger states, while Guineas’s two cases were in Kankan. Lastly, the DR of Congo logged seven cVDPV2 cases and also 12 of cVDPV1. 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.
Bali screening tourists for Nipah virus
Taking precautions to prevent an outbreak of Nipah virus on the island of Bali, screening of all arriving tourists has been implemented, in particular any arriving from India, following the deaths of 2 people from Nipah virus in Kerala, India. Bali has had over 3 million tourists in 2023 including almost 300,000 coming from India. Any passengers with symptoms of high temperatures an acute respiratory infection will be screened by health officials and sent to the hospital for a full assessment. Read more
Advice for travellers
Nipah virus can be transmitted to humans from animals (such as bats or pigs), or contaminated foods and can also be transmitted directly from human-to-human. Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are the natural host of Nipah virus. There is no treatment or vaccine available for either people or animals. The primary treatment for humans is supportive care. Read more on Nipah virus
Locally acquired West Nile Virus reported for the first time
Toledo in Spain and Gorj in Romania have reported their first cases of West Nile Virus, with a total of 33 new human cases reported across EU/EEA . Since January 2023, 632 human cases of WNV infection have been reported by EU/EEA countries and 88 cases reported by EU-neighbouring countries. Read more
Advice for travellers
Most human WNV infections (70-80%) are mild, subclinical or asymptomatic, but around 1-in-150 cases involve potentially severe neuroinvasive disease. The virus is transmitted by Culex mosquitoes, which feed mainly around dawn and dusk. While the risk of infection for most travellers is generally low, those visiting regions reporting human cases, particularly the peak transmission season, should take measures to avoid mosquito bites. Read more on WNV.
Hepatitis A outbreak
Public health authorities in Slovakia have reported a large ongoing outbreak of viral hepatitis A. Most cases are reported to be in the Kosice district, predominantly children living in poor hygienic conditions. All residents have been offered hepatitis A vaccination. Read more
Advice for travellers
Hepatitis A (HAV) is a vaccine-preventable viral disease passed on to humans primarily through oral contact with faeces of an infected person. This can occur through consuming contaminated food and water, by handling everyday items and through some types of sexual contact. It is a significant risk in travellers to developing countries where sanitation and hygiene are lacking. A course of hepatitis A vaccine offers immunity that is highly effective and offers long term protection.
COVID-19 positive cases rise 30% in last 7 days
16,000 new COVID-19 cases reported over one week in England, this is a rise of 30%, with 3,800 admitted to hospital.
Charities are calling on the National Health Service to re-implement Covid-19 precautions for hospital staff. The clinically vulnerable and medics fear they will be put at risk over the coming winter season. Read more
Advice for travellers
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age. See Coronavirus (COVID-19) for more information
Cryptosporidiosis outbreak linked to Petting Zoo
The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is investigating a state-wide Cryptosporidiosis outbreak with 18 cases linked to exposure of the disease from a livestock petting zoo at the New Mexico State Fair between September 7-17th. Read more
Advice for travellers
Cryptosporidiosis is a bowel infection caused by a parasite. You can catch it from infected people or animals, or from contaminated food or water, including swimming pools. It usually gets better by itself, but it can cause dehydration. It can be dangerous for people with a weak immune system. Hand washing and good hygiene can prevent it from spreading.
Florida concerned with new locally acquired dengue cases
While over sixty-two percent of recent dengue cases in Florida are related to visitors from Cuba, local health officials are more concerned with the current increase of locally acquired dengue infections, 15 confirmed in one week. The CDC states that 1,289 dengue cases have been reported by 48 U.S. jurisdictions for 2023, including 90 in New York. Read more
Advice for travellers
Dengue is spread by two types of Aedes mosquitoes. Both breed close to dwellings, are found in shady areas and bite mainly during the daylight hours, 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 PMD when outdoors to all exposed skin. Read more about dengue fever.
Measles cases in the Midwest
Wisconsin and Illinois have both reported a case of measles. Illinois case is in Chicago from an international traveller, the Wisconcin case exposure has not yet been reported. State health officials are working to identify people who may have been exposed. Read more
Advice for travellers
Easily preventable through vaccination, measles and mumps are highly contagious diseases that can cause serious illness in people of all ages. Many cases reported in Australia are linked to overseas travel to both developing and developed countries. Travelvax Australia recommends travellers check their status for these and other routine childhood immunisations, such as tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough (pertussis) ahead of departure.
Cholera outbreak - bans in place on large gatherings as cases increase
Water shortages and poor sanitation re being blamed on the continual increase of cholera cases in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean government have increased surveillance in their ports of entry and have banned large gatherings in some areas of the country to aid in the containment of a cholera outbreak. An estimated 5,000 cases with 100 deaths have been reported across 41 districts, including the capital Harare. Read more
Advice for travellers
Cholera is usually spread in contaminated water. For most short-stay travellers, the risk of infection is low. Australians travelling to regions where a cholera outbreak is occurring should adhere to strict personal hygiene guidelines and choose food and beverages with care. For those at higher risk, an oral cholera vaccine is available. Read more about cholera.