Shifting disease patterns and outbreaks affect the recommendations and information we provide to travellers during a pre-travel consultation. Each week Travelvax updates the current travel health alerts to reflect those issues which could affect travellers heading to a particular region or country. We do this by scanning the websites of health agencies such as the World Health Organization and the European and US Centers for Disease Control, as well as international news media. Simply click on the point on the map of your area of interest for more details on the current health alert. We also include Advice for Travellers which gives background information and tips. If you have any further questions, of course you can give our Travelvax infoline a call during business hours on 1300 360 164.
World travel health alerts for 23rd of August 2023
WHO reports unusual dengue surge in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is experiencing an unusual surge in dengue activity that started earlier than usual and is occurring with a relatively high case-fatality rate (CFR) as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). A total of 69, 483 dengue cases including 327 related deaths have been reported between January 1st and 7th August. Read more
Advice for travellers
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.
Bubonic plague cases reported in China's Inner Mongolia province
Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has reported three bubonic plague cases from Inner Mongolia, all cases are within the same family. Read more
Advice for travellers
Plague poses a low risk to most travellers. The majority of plague cases are due to bubonic plague following the bite of an infected flea carried by rats. If left untreated, infection of the lungs causes the pneumonic form of plague, a severe respiratory illness, which can progress rapidly to death. Read more on the plague.
Increase in MPox cases
The World Health Organisation (WHO) have stated in its latest updates that although overall mpox cases declined last week, four countries reported an increase in cases, with Mexico reporting the biggest rise in cases. Over the past 4 weeks, countries in the Western Pacific region—especially China and South Korea—reported 65.0% of global cases, followed by the Americas region at 15.6%. Portugal also reported a rise in cases over the past 3 weeks. Read more
Advice for travellers
Advice for travellers: Closely related to the smallpox virus, monkeypox is mainly found in Central and Western Africa. Rodents are the suspected reservoir, with monkeys and humans as secondary or ‘spill-over’ hosts. People can be infected by eating undercooked ‘bushmeat’ or handling infected animals, making infection a low risk for travellers. Read more on monkeypox.
Scrub typhus cases increase in monsoon season
Over the past month 9 cases of Scrub Typhus parasitic disease have been reported in the district hospital in Bajura, Nepal. Read more
Advice for travellers
Scrub typhus is a bacterial disease passed on to humans by mites that normally live on rodents infected with the disease. Most travel-acquired cases occur when travellers camp, hike, or go river rafting in rural areas in endemic countries. Scrub typhus occurs throughout the Asia-Pacific region, where more than a million cases occur annually. There is no vaccine or prevention medication: avoidance hinges on minimising insect bites. Due to the disease’s 5- to 14-day incubation period, travellers often experience symptoms (fever, headache, malaise, and sometimes nausea, vomiting and a rash) after their trip. Read more about rickettsial diseases.
Measles outbreak - 4 children die in 5 days
A measles outbreak has spread through several villages in the area of Jamshoro, Pakistan with 15 more children critical in the nearby Goth region. Read more
Advice for travellers
Advice for travellers: A highly contagious virus, measles occurs in developing and developed countries. While usually relatively benign, infection can result in severe illness or death. Travelvax Australia recommends travellers check their immunisation status for measles and other childhood diseases such as diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis) and mumps at least 6 weeks before departure. Read more about measles.
Warnings of leptospirosis in Quezon City
Quezon City in the Philippines is warning of the increased cases of leptospirosis – a possibly deadly, but preventable disease. According to the Quezon City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit (CESU), 5 deaths have been identified as being caused by leptospirosis. 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.
Colorado has had 36 confirmed cases, 1 death of West Nile Virus
Colorado has had a year of "unprecedented" West Nile virus [WNV] risk. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment have stated that so far this year, 36 people have been affected and 19 cases required hospitalisation with serious neurological symptoms, 1 death as a consequence of the virus. 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.
Chikungunya vaccine trial extended
The USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the approval deadline by an additional 3 months for the Valneva’s chikungunya vaccine, to allow for a phase 4 post-market trial program can be designed. VLA1553 would be the first vaccine against the mosquito-borne virus. Read more
Advice for travellers
Chikungunya virus is spread by the same daytime-feeding mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever. There is currently no approved vaccine and preventing infection relies on avoiding mosquito bites. Apply an effective repellent when outdoors to all exposed skin. Read more about chikungunya.
Maryland has a confirmed case of locally acquired malaria
The Maryland Department of Health has reported a confirmed positive case of locally acquired malaria in a Maryland resident from the Capital region who has been hospitalised, and is now recovering. The Dept confirmed the patient has not has not travelled internationally nor recently travelled to any other states in the USA with locally acquired malaria cases. Read more
Advice for travellers
Travellers visiting malarious regions should discuss their itinerary and the possible need for anti-malaria medication during a pre-travel medical consultation. Read more about malaria.
Measles cases tripled – almost 4,000 cases admitted to MSF in 2023
Almost 4,000 measles cases admitted to Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in Yemen during the 1st half of 2023, these case numbers have tripled compared to the whole of 2022. A substantial increase has been reported over the past 3 years. 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.