Travel Health Alerts

'Significant spread’ of measles

Measles outbreaks have prevailed in all 26 provinces this year, although most activity has been in five provinces: North Kivu, South Kivu, Lomami, Sankuru and Tshopo. Up to May 7, nearly 100,000 suspected measles cases had been recorded, with 1,239 deaths. The WHO regional office said there had been a ‘strong resurgence of measles cases with significant spread’ to new health zones compared to 2022 as case numbers are up by 93 percent and deaths by 66 percent. Vaccination campaigns have suffered delays and a second dose of measles-containing vaccine is not yet routinely administered in all provinces. In other news on measles, the declared emergency over confirmed cases in American Samoa ended last week and a US CDC team has been sent to ‘increase local testing capacity and lessen dependence on off island testing’ for this outbreak and any others that may emerge in the future. To date there have been two confirmed measles cases and another 78 probable. 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. In general the infection is relatively benign, but complications 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.

NT’s record Murray Valley encephalitis season

The health department of the Northern Territory recently warned that Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) cases have hit record levels this year, with seven people infected and two fatalities. The infections occurred in the Top End and the Barkly and Katherine regions, while mosquitoes have tested positive for the virus in Central Australia as well. The MVE risk season continues until July. Read more

Advice for travellers

While the risk of contracting MVE is low if insect bite avoidance measures are employed, the virus can cause severe illness, even death in very rare cases. The vector mosquitoes are active at dawn and dusk, particularly in the first two hours after dark. They pass on the virus to humans after feeding on infected birds attracted to flooded wetlands. Travellers to wetland and recently flooded areas of Australia should take all measures to prevent bites. Apply an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or citriodiol (PMD) to exposed skin when outdoors. Read more about MVE.

Global polio digest

In the latest update from the GPEI, two circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) cases were reported by Chad (Lac and Logone oriental) and there were five cVDPV2 infections in the D R of Congo (Kasai Oriental, Tanganyika and Haut Katanga), while a cVDPV2 positive environmental sample was collected in Zambia’s Copperbelt region. 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.

RSV infections surge

A sharp rise in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases has exceeded the average over recent years and placed added strain on health resources including paediatric high dependency units. Senior government officials blame lockdowns during the pandemic for making children more vulnerable, while pollution levels are cited by others as contributing to ill health. Read more

MVD outbreak over

With two incubation periods completed and no new Marburg virus disease (MVD) cases, the outbreak is now over. The resulting case count and toll for the event, the first MVD outbreak in Equatorial Guinea, was 17 cases and 12 deaths, although a further 23 probable (fatal) infections were also reported in the outbreak that emerged in widespread districts, including the largest city, Bata, in Litoral province. Read more

Advice for travellers

Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever, related to the Ebola virus, and there is no treatment. Found in the African fruit bat, Marburg typically appears in sporadic outbreaks and laboratory-confirmed cases have occurred in Uganda, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Angola, and South Africa. Preventive measures are not well defined, as study in how it is spread continues, but travellers should avoid contact with fruit bats and sick primates in central Africa. Read more on MVD

Anthrax alert in border states

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has issued an alert on the detection of anthrax in Ghana’s Upper East region, warning residents of communities in the states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos of the risk from the zoonotic infection. Vaccination of at-risk animals is encouraged and the public has been advised to refrain from ‘the consumption of Hides (pomo), Smoked Meat and Bush Meat’ in the interim. 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.

End to cholera outbreak

The cholera outbreak first declared in early October last year is now officially over, with no more cases confirmed over the past three months. Akkar governate, in the remote north near the Syrian border, was the site of the index cases in the country’s first outbreak in three decades. The public health ministry said in its announcement that it will continue active surveillance and intensified community awareness campaigns. Meanwhile, South Africa’s cholera outbreak continues, with 166 cases and 32 deaths according to reports dated June 8 (Gauteng has had 155 of the cases and 29 fatalities). 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.

Rise in Sabah’s zoonotic malaria cases

In Sabah, cases of malaria transmitted from macaques to humans are reported to have risen by more than 50 percent this year (over 2022 numbers). The 816 confirmed Plasmodium knowlesi infections were more common in areas where people live or work close to the animals’ habitats: forests, farming land and plantations. In more news on malaria, senior health department sources in South Africa’s NE province of Mpumalanga have said that recent rains and high humidity have caused a boost to mosquito populations resulting in an increase in malaria cases during the current peak season, in particular ‘Nkomazi, Bushbuckridge and some areas of the City of Mbombela subdistricts’. Read more

Advice for travellers

Travelvax recommends that travellers visiting malarious regions discuss their itinerary and the possible need for anti-malaria medication during a pre-travel medical consultation. More on malaria.

Influenza B uptick in Pohnpei

Young children comprised the majority of influenza-like illness presentations in Pohnpei in the week to June 4, and numbers are increasing. Surveillance reports noted that testing identified influenza B from samples. Read more

Advice for travellers

Seasonal flu is the most common vaccine-preventable travel-related illness in most years because it is a potential risk during every stage of the journey. Whether you are travelling within Australia or overseas, Travelvax recommends vaccination for all travellers over 6 months of age. Read more about influenza.

Some relief from dengue

A drop in the number of new dengue fever cases was announced this week in several regions, including Ica, Piura, La Libertad and Lambayeque, after the government responded to the record outbreak by ordering fumigation of mosquito breeding sites and public awareness campaigns. One region named as an exception as it had reported an increase in infections was Tumbes. A national emergency was declared to enable the response to the outbreak which has so far led to more than 145,000 confirmed and probable cases and at least 200 deaths. The same areas affected by dengue fever and heavy rains from the effects of the El Niño phenomenon have seen a rise in leptospirosis infections. On a regional level, the PAHO has warned in its latest Epidemiological Update that higher rainfall forecast ‘especially in Central America and the Caribbean in the second semester of 2023 … could result in an additional burden of arboviral disease for health systems in the affected areas.’ 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.

Gastro cases in Phuket; Dengue, rabies reports

Health authorities are investigating the source of a spike in diarrhoeal illnesses in Phuket, with around 150 people seeking treatment for symptoms each day. Media report that ice factories are being checked and the public has been told to eat freshly cooked, hot food. The provincial health chief named norovirus, rotavirus and E. coli as possible causative organisms and warned that the outbreak could persist for another month or two. Read more  

DENGUE FEVER cases have spiked in the northern province of Nan recently - many of the patients lived in Chiang Klang district. Days earlier, it was announced that children had borne the brunt of a dengue outbreak in the southern province of Trang. And the same media report provided some details on three fatal rabies infections notified this year. The deaths occurred in Chonburi, Rayong and Surin, and were reported to have resulted from ‘a lack of adequate vaccination’ following exposure. Read more

Advice for travellers

Rabies is present in most countries and all travellers should be aware of the importance of avoiding contact with wild and domestic animals – especially dogs, the main source of infection. If bitten, urgent post-exposure treatment is required. Vaccination recommendations are itinerary-specific but include those travellers planning to live in, or travel extensively or repeatedly through, endemic countries and also for children. Read more on rabies.

Year-on-year increase in HFMD toll

The number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases is lower than for the same period last year, however, with nearly 9,000 infections – three fatal - the health ministry has requested more control measures from regional medical facilities. The majority of cases have been in the southern provinces, as were the deaths (Đắk Lắk, Kiên Giang, and Long An provinces). 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.