Travel Health Alerts

Clusters of haemorrhagic fever after festival

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) has been confirmed in several residents of Turkistan region following a recent religious festival that involved the mass transport of animals. Relating to the same annual event, other CCHF reports have emerged over the past week from Pakistan and Afghanistan, and most infections were acquired through contact with infected animals, such as in unqualified animal husbandry or butchery. 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.

Drug-resistant gastro in Vic; Torres Strait malaria case

Victoria’s health department posted an alert this week warning of an increase in cases of drug-resistant Shigella bacteria that cause a contagious gastro-intestinal infection, shigellosis. To date most of cases have been among the MSM community and in returned travellers from high risk countries. Read more  

A MALARIA infection has been confirmed on the most northerly of the Torres Strait islands, Boigu, which at its closest point sits under 10 kms from the PNG mainland. The patient is receiving treatment and authorities are carrying out insecticide spraying. Residents are also advised to avoid insect bites. Read more  

Advice for travellers

Caused by Shigella bacteria, shigellosis can result in diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps starting a day or two after exposure via the faecal-oral route, including through contaminated food or sexual contact. Persons with mild infections usually recover quickly, but antibiotic treatment is recommended for patients with more severe symptoms. Read more.

Alert over upcoming dengue season

According to the latest regional PAHO update on dengue fever, the three countries contributing highest case numbers for the year to mid-June were Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. During that time, the Americas recorded more than 2.1 million cases (suspected and confirmed), with the majority in southern hemisphere countries. The agency has warned governments in Central America and the Caribbean to prepare for a more severe peak dengue season this year due to forecast heavy rainfall. 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.

Global polio digest

In the latest GPEI update, Burkina Faso’s first polio case in two years, a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) infection, was detected in the southern market town of Gaoua, while cVDPV2 cases were also logged by Chad (Ouaddai and Logone Oriental) and Nigeria (Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Enugu). 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.

More dengue cases in 2023

Dengue fever cases were up by more than 60 percent in the first half of this year after 4,668 infections were recorded. Phnom Penh, together with the provinces of Kandal, Tboung Khmum, Banteay Meanchey and Siem Reap had the highest case numbers. Cycles of extensive dengue outbreaks roughly follow a 5-year pattern and the last major event was in 2019. Communities have been reminded to clear stagnant waters from around their homes to discourage mosquito proliferation. Meanwhile in Thailand, the half-yearly dengue count was almost four times higher than the same period in 2022. The three most affected areas are the southern region, Bangkok and the Central plains provinces. More than 27,000 cases and 33 deaths have been recorded and peak transmission will run until October. And Taiwan’s CDC announced a sharp rise in dengue fever infections last week, affecting southern areas, particularly in Tainan (also Yunlin County and Kaohsiung). 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.

Local cholera case and other updates

For the first time in 50 years a suspected case of cholera was reported in Sardinia. An elderly man from the southern community of Arbus was recovering in hospital after being diagnosed with the infection last week, subsequently confirmed to be Vibrio cholerae non-O1 and non-O139 i.e., not a cholera case. His relatives have been tested and cleared. Cholera outbreak reports over the week related to outbreaks in Malawi, Cameroon, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Haiti and Pakistan (Karachi). 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. Read more about cholera.

TBE cases in central region

News media are reporting a rise in cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in the regions of Banskobystrica and Trenčín where ‘the likely factor in the transmission of the TBE virus’ was the consumption of unpasteurised dairy products from infected animals. The same article notes that the range of the tick vector is extending northwards, while less than 10 percent of the population is vaccinated against TBE. And in the Czech Republic, to date this year the number of confirmed TBE infections has fallen compared to 2022, however Lyme disease cases have increased. Read more

Advice for travellers

A viral infection, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) can cause fever, vomiting, cramps and paralysis, which can be prolonged. In rare instances, infection can be fatal. Travellers who spend time in regions where TBE is endemic – mainly forested areas of Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Northern China, and Mongolia – may be at risk. The highest risk is during the warmer months from April to November, especially when hiking or camping in areas below 1500m. While safe and effective vaccines are available in Europe, none are licensed in Australia. However, vaccination can be obtained by doctors through a Special Access Scheme.

Rise in pertussis infections

May and June this year saw a marked uptick in pertussis infections, with highest case numbers on the island of Funen. On average, around 80 to 100 whooping cough infections are detected each month in Denmark, but in June that rose to at least 284. Incidence was greatest in the 10 to 19 years cohort. The increase comes off a lower base experienced earlier in the pandemic. 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.

HFMD cases in several provinces

ProMED has compiled reports of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) affecting increasing numbers of young children in the provinces of El Oro (Machala), Guayas (Guayaquil, Durán and Samborondón), Pichincha and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas. Parents have been advised to carefully manage hygiene measures and to keep their children away from school if showing signs of infection. Elsewhere, state health authorities in Johor, Malaysia, have identified 74 HFMD clusters this year as cases rose by almost 45 percent over the most recent reporting week. Read more

Advice for travellers

HFMD mainly affects young children and symptoms include fever, oral lesions, and rash on the hands, feet and buttocks. There is no vaccine or preventative medication, but good hand hygiene will greatly reduce the risk of infection. Read more about HFMD.

Typhoid outbreak spreads to 5 villages

Local media report that 11 typhoid fever cases have been confirmed following a large gathering in Wainiyavu village, Namosi Province in SE Viti Levu. The cases are spread across five villages and the source of infection is believed to be contaminated water from a local river. Read more

Advice for travellers

Typhoid occurs in Pacific countries, although it presents a low risk for travellers staying in hotels or resorts. Travellers should follow safe food and water guidelines, and personal hygiene practices. Vaccination is generally recommended for travellers staying in rural areas, as well as for adventurous eaters. Read more about typhoid.

Anthrax in East Java

The sharing of anthrax-infected meat among some members of a community in Kidul District, Yogyakarta, has killed three and sickened 93 others. It was reported that the meat in question was retrieved from dead goats and cows that had been buried and then exhumed for consumption. Read more

Advice for travellers

The anthrax bacterium is transmitted to people in the form of spores which are can produce disease through consuming contaminated meat, through inhalation or via contact with the wool, hair or hide of infected animals. The majority of cases have occurred in people involved in the livestock industry, so infection is a low risk to travellers. Read more about anthrax.

Diphtheria outbreaks persist

An outbreak of diphtheria in Abuja has killed up to 10 percent of the 800 confirmed cases, with children aged between two and 14 years comprising most of those infected. Eight states, including the FCT, have reported diphtheria outbreaks since the end of last year, however most cases have been in Kano. On a national level, more than 80 percent of the confirmed infections occurred in unvaccinated individuals. Read more

Advice for travellers

Spread by coughing and sneezing or by direct contact with wounds or items soiled by infected persons, diphtheria is one of the infectious diseases prevented through routine childhood vaccination. It is also a component in the vaccine given to pregnant women for the prevention of pertussis. Read more on diphtheria.

90 day health emergency declared

Four years after a similar episode, a rise in cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has prompted the health ministry to initiate a 3-month national health emergency that will release more funding for the provision of treatment. The GBS increase in mid-2019 was later associated with a campylobacter outbreak. Read more