Travel Health Alerts

2 counties confirm measles cases

Measles outbreaks have been confirmed in two mid-west counties over the past two months (Montserrado and Bong), and all but one of all 15 counties have reported suspected measles infections. To date, most cases have been in two districts – Commonwealth in Montserrado and Zota in Bong County. A reactive measles immunisation campaign has been carried out in Montserrado, but is still to commence in the second affected district. And in Togo, a measles outbreak has been declared in the health district of Zio while four more have confirmed cases (Agoe, Golfe, Bassar and Ave). The Feb 6 regional WHO bulletin also provided an update on measles in the D R of Congo as the 2021 outbreak affecting 23 provinces (and the capital of Kinshasa) carries over into 2022, plus a separate report emerged this week on an epidemic declared in the NW province of Sud-Ubangi. Read more. Elsewhere, cases of measles have been reported in wider areas of the capital of the Afghanistan province of Badakhshan, Faizabad, as well as Kuf Ab, Darwaz and Kohistan, with as many as 74 deaths counted among children. News sources announced increasing measles case numbers in the country’s mountainous NE. 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. 

RSV outbreak ongoing

Daycare centres were closed earlier this week as government agencies try to stem an outbreak of Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Health facilities have reported ‘a significant increase in the number of patients presenting with respiratory symptoms’. No local COVID-19 cases have been reported, according to a Feb 7 Dept of Health update. Read more and additional information about RSV from healthdirect.

Algae alert issued

Warm weather has created ideal conditions for blue-green algae to proliferate in some waterways of Greater Buenos Aires, as well as in the provinces of Entre Ríos, Córdoba and Santa Fe. This presents an environmental hazard for recreational visitors to those areas, with some cyanobacteria species known to produce toxins that are harmful to humans and which can lead to ‘a wide variety of gastrointestinal, respiratory, neurological, skin, ear, and eye infections’. More about cyanobacteria from Water Quality Australia.  Read more

5 states reporting dengue uptick

Climatic conditions favouring mosquito breeding have led to a recent uptick in dengue fever cases in five states - Minas Gerais, Alagoas, Rio Grande do Sul, Tocantins and ‘cities in the interior of São Paulo’. In Minas Gerais, chikungunya cases have also spiked.  And in Colombia, health authorities have warned of the increased risk of outbreaks of infections transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika virus) due to prevailing wet weather and more forecast. Above average rains are expected in ‘the Caribbean lowlands, Middle Magdalena River basin, Orinoquia, northern Amazon and the central Andes’. Further north, doctors in Puerto Rico have reported an increase in dengue cases since August last year, with some indications that a larger outbreak may be looming. Read more

Advice for travellers

Dengue fever is common in most tropical or sub-tropical regions of the world. The virus is spread by daytime-feeding Aedes mosquitoes and to avoid it and other insect-borne diseases, travellers should apply an insect repellent containing an effective active ingredient, such as DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus (PMD), to exposed skin when outdoors during the day. In addition, cover up with long-sleeved tops, long pants, and shoes and socks around dawn and dusk, as well as other times when the mosquitoes are active.

COVID-19 update

The Eastern Mediterranean was the only WHO region to report a rise in new weekly COVID-19 cases in the latest WHO epi update (highest relative increases in Iran and Jordan), as new global infections fell by 17 percent; deaths were up by seven percent. In our Western Pacific region, the three countries reporting the greatest increases in new cases were Kiribati (up 749 percent), Brunei Darussalam (up 306 percent) and the Solomon Islands (up 211 percent).

In related news:

- CIDRAP reported on a study published in the journal Nature Medicine this week which suggested that from one month to a year following infection, ‘COVID-19 patients at increased risk for cardiovascular complications’.

- Hong Kong’s latest surge in COVID-19 cases is believed to stem after imported hamsters infected with the Delta variant transmitted SARS-CoV-2 to human handlers. Read more  

Polio detected after 3 decades, global update

A post in this week’s WHO African regional bulletin has confirmed a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) case in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, with date of presentation in November 2021. It was noted that there hadn’t been a case of polio in Malawi in three decades. In other polio news, more cVDPV2 infections dating from 2021 have been reported by the GPEI in its latest update: Nigeria’s two cases were in Bauchi state and the D R of Congo logged three cases from Maniema province. In addition, positive environmental samples were obtained from sites in both Chad (in N’djamena and linked to the Nigeria’s Zamfara outbreak) and Djibouti (in Arta and Djibouti, linked to circulating virus in Yemen). 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.

‘Unusually high levels’ of dengue

More on the extensive dengue fever outbreak that has been underway since late last year, with a Feb 4 WHO Disease Outbreak News post advising that infection levels are unusually high compared to previous years. Two-thirds of cases have been in the capital Dili and children aged under 14 years have been hardest hit. Nearly 1,300 cases were recorded last month and the death toll has climbed to 20. Read more

Advice for travellers

Dengue is spread by Aedes mosquitoes which 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 insect repellent containing an active ingredient, such as DEET, Picaridin or PMD when outdoors to all exposed skin. Read more about dengue fever. Read more about dengue fever.

Cholera deaths on Mindanao

At least six cholera deaths have been recorded in the town of Caraga and also in nearby villages, all located in Davao Oriental province (SE Mindanao). Nearly 500 people have been infected since the outbreak was first reported late last month. An outbreak response team has been dispatched to assist with surveillance, treatment and outbreak control measures. Read more

Advice for travellers

Cholera is usually spread in contaminated water. For most short-stay travel, the risk of infection is low. Travellers to regions where a cholera outbreak is occurring should adhere to strict personal hygiene guidelines and choose food and beverages with care. Read more about cholera.

Dengue cases expected to spike

Dengue fever is expected to become a wider public health concern this year following the relaxations of many pandemic restrictions which kept people close to home. Highest infection rates this year have been in Bangkok, Samut Prakan and Nakhon Pathom, and just over half of cases were aged between five and 24 years. Read more

Advice for travellers

Avoid mosquito bites to protect against dengue fever. To avoid biting insects, apply repellent containing an active ingredient, such as DEET, Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus (PMD) to all exposed skin when outdoors. 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 outdoors. Travellers should also cover up with long-sleeved tops, long pants, and shoes and socks when mosquitoes are most active.