Travel Health Alerts

Global polio digest

Over the past fortnight a single wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) case was reported to the GPEI by Afghanistan (Nangarhar province), while circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) infections were logged by Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC, Mali and Nigeria. There were also 15 cVDPV1 cases in total from the DRC and Madagascar (three in total from Analamanga, Androy and Sud-Ouest). 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 measles outbreaks

Turkey is one of several countries reporting surges in measles infections recently. Two separate ProMED compilations cover rising case numbers in Jordan, Pakistan, Mauritania, Afghanistan and the Philippines. In the US, the CDC has responded to the outbreaks by issuing a health advisory for health practitioners, while also reminding travellers heading overseas during summer to ensure vaccinations are current. Read more

Advice for travellers

Measles occurs in developing and developed countries and unvaccinated travellers are at particular risk, both in transit and during their stay. While generally 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.

Chikungunya, dengue update

In a summary of chikungunya in South America, the ECDC states that the extensive outbreak in Paraguay generated a more-than 200 percent increase in cases compared to the previous four years. During that same timeframe, higher infection rates were also seen in Bolivia ‘linked to the broadening of the seasonality and circulation of the virus in new areas’. As with chikungunya, the majority of dengue cases recorded this year have been in the Americas where all four dengue serotypes are circulating. There’s been a fall in new dengue cases reported in Argentina, bringing some relief from ‘one of the largest dengue outbreaks in its history’, with transmission confirmed in ‘all jurisdictions in the central region, the north-west and north-east regions, as well as in the provinces of San Luis and Mentoza in Cuyo region (west) and in La Pampa province in the south’. Lastly, on the subject of dengue, researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have established Open Dengue, a global database of public dengue case data. 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.

2 local Hep A cases detected in Darling Downs

Queensland’s Darling Downs Health has reported two locally-acquired cases of hepatitis A in Toowoomba, one a primary school student. The public health unit advised that both individuals had been active in the community since May 14 and a temporary vaccination clinic has been established at a local school from June 28-30 for ‘students, parents, siblings and teachers’. The incubation period of Hep A ranges from 15 to 50 days; young children may have no symptoms, but the illness can be severe in some people, such as in adults aged over 40. Read more

Advice for travellers

Vaccine-preventable Hepatitis A (HAV) is a vaccine-preventable viral disease that is transmitted by the oral-faecal route, such as through contaminated food and water, and some types of sexual contact. A course of hepatitis A vaccine offers immunity that’s highly effective and long lasting. It is also important to follow safe food and water guidelines.

Malaria milestone achieved

After decades of enhanced surveillance, vector control and other public health measures, Belize has been granted malaria-free certification by the WHO. It becomes the 11^th country in the Americas to have successfully eradicated malaria. Read more

2nd YF case in eastern department

A second yellow fever (YF) case has been confirmed in the eastern department of Santa Cruz this year: an unvaccinated man from San Ignacio de Valesco who is receiving treatment in an intensive care unit. As noted by the ProMED moderator, this case provides more evidence of continuing viral transmission in the department’s forests. Read more

Advice for travellers

Yellow fever virus is a mosquito-borne disease found in tropical and subtropical areas in Central/South America and Africa. While it can be severe, yellow fever infection is a very rare in Australian travellers. However, under the International Health Regulations (IHR), proof of vaccination may be required of any traveller entering or leaving an area at risk of yellow fever transmission. Read more about yellow fever.

‘Intensified transmission’ of STI

The ECDC has reported on rising gonorrhoea infection rates in the region that first started last year, mainly affecting younger heterosexual adults. Reasons for the surge in infections are thought to include the use of mobile phone apps, less condom usage and ‘frequent partner changes’. None of the countries registering increases in the report (Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Ireland and Spain) identified antimicrobial resistance pattern changes. Read more

Health notices for 2 divisions

Two separate health advisories have been issued by the Pacific Community organisation: 32 typhoid fever cases have been diagnosed in the Northern Division (Macuata had 18 cases, Bua 11 and Cakaudrove Subdivision, three); and confirmed leptospirosis infections were reported in Kadavu Medical Subdivision of Eastern Division (29 cases, 42 hospital admissions and one fatality). 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.

Dengue cases increasing

Dengue fever case numbers first started to increase on the island of Rodrigues, but an upward trend has now hit Mauritius, with infections reported in many of the regions, including the capital Port Louis. 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.

Tick-borne infection spike in NW state

Local media are reporting higher than usual rates of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in areas of Baja California, with new virus incursions into the eastern zone of Tijuana and parts of Ensenada. Investigations into more possible RMSF cases recorded in the first half of this year continue and, if confirmed, the total would equal that of 2022. Of the 16 RMSF-related deaths this year (mostly in children), nine were in Tijuana, six in Mexicali and the other in San Quintín. Read more

Advice for travellers

Although its incidence has increased in the past decade, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a low risk for most travellers visiting North America, however it is advisable to take preventive measures to avoid tick bites when outdoors, particularly in warmer months (April-September) when ticks are most active. RMSF can be a severe or even fatal illness if not treated in the first few days of symptoms. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, and muscle pain – with or without a rash. The antibiotic, doxycycline is the first line treatment for adults and children of all ages, and is most effective if started before the fifth day of symptoms. Read more about RMSF.

Quarantine bubble in western province

The western province of Govi-Altai has been placed under quarantine for a week after a suspected bubonic plague case was detected and then isolated in hospital. Most plague infections in Mongolia stem from contact with infected groundhogs during illegal hunting activities. 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 rodents. 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.

Disease uptick forecast

The arrival of the annual monsoon brings about an increase in seasonal infections/health issues, but this year some had already started to make adverse impacts on the local population  – ‘diarrhoea, dysentery, food poisoning, and snake bites’. Local media reported on an Epidemiology and Disease Control Division study showing one quarter of Kathmandu’s drinking water tested was contaminated with faecal coliforms. Outbreaks of vector-borne infections are also on the radar of health authorities as the alert threshold for dengue fever was passed by April when a total of 600 dengue fever cases had been recorded. The peak dengue season is July-September and modelling cited in an IFRC report suggest this will be the second consecutive year of high dengue incidence and outbreaks (between 3,500 and 4,500 cases expected). 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, making them difficult to avoid outdoors. 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.

Persistence of hantavirus activity

Residents have been reminded to take measures to discourage the presence of rodents around their homes as, according to a government update, the number of hantavirus cases this year has risen to 20. Eleven of the infections occurred in the province of Los Santos, while there were six in Herrera and three in Coclé. Read more  

Advice for travellers

Hantavirus is passed on to humans through contact with hantavirus-infected rodents or their urine and droppings. Eliminating rats in and around living quarters is the main way of preventing hantavirus infection. Cases have been documented in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay, making HPS a pan-hemispheric disease. Read more about hantavirus.

JE deaths in Region VI

More than 250 suspected Japanese encephalitis (JE) cases have been reported from the Western Visayas region this year and to date, 25 have been confirmed with four deaths. Iloilo province recorded just over half of the confirmed cases and all four deaths, while Antique, Capiz and Iloilo City all logged infections. Read more

Advice for travellers

A mosquito-borne virus, JE is usually found in many part of Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and China, although cases also occur in Indonesia and PNG, and now parts of Australia. It is mainly found in rural areas around rice paddies where pigs, wading birds and humans live closely together, however it does also occur in or near cities. The risk to short-stay travellers who confine their travel to urban centres and use appropriate mosquito bite avoidance measures is low. The recommendations for vaccination are itinerary-specific. Read more on JE.

Cholera death toll rises

A recent update on the cholera outbreak provided by the SA government showed a further increase in fatalities, now at 43. Gauteng is most affected with nearly 90 percent of confirmed cases, but in total, more than 1,000 suspected cholera cases have been registered ‘in 15 out of 52 districts across five provinces’. New cases have been declining in number after the health department introduced measures to halt transmission. The outbreak is reported to have stemmed from a gathering at a funeral service. 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.

Health advisory issued across Florida, malaria case in Texas

Subsequent to the early June report on a locally acquired malaria infection detected in Florida ‘s Sarasota County, the first US case in 20 years, a CDC health alert has announced another four cases in non-travellers detected in the past two months. Four Plasmodium vivax infections have been confirmed in Florida (Sarasota County), prompting a statewide mosquito-borne illness advisory, and the other was in Cameron County, Texas - also P.vivax. Read more   

Malaria cases spike in eastern district

Health authorities have reported a sharp rise in malaria infections in the Chipinge district (Manicaland province), with most cases in areas bordering Mozambique (also suffering high rates of malaria) and along the Save River. Read more

Advice for travellers

Malaria is endemic in many areas of southern Africa. Travelvax recommends that travellers visiting this region discuss their itinerary and preventative medication at their nearest Travelvax clinic, or with their healthcare provider. For advice, call Travelvax on 1300 360 164. More on malaria.