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 7th of June 2023
Global polio digest
Confirmation from the GPEI on the third wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) case mentioned in last week’s report, while in the last few days a news source announced a fourth WPV1 infection, also from Nangarhar province – a young child who suffered paralysis onset in mid-May. In other news on polio, a single circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) case was logged by the Central African Republic (RS4 district). 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.
Child respiratory illnesses spike
An early uptick in Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV) infections, ahead of the usual peak season, has seen hospital admissions for bronchiolitis in young children pass the 40,000 mark in the Central and NW regions, plus some provinces of the central-west. National case numbers are reported to be 60 percent higher than in 2019. Read more
Meningococcal alert in NSW
NSW Health has issued a warning after three apparently unlinked cases of meningococcal disease were reported (one was fatal), two of the people were in Sydney and the other on the Central Coast. The serogroup involved in these cases was not specified, however the department advised that this year they have been notified of 19 serogroup B infections in the state. As per the alert notice, residents are urged: ‘to be on alert for symptoms of meningococcal disease and act immediately if they appear’. And a teacher at a secondary school in the Central Highlands of Victoria has been diagnosed with meningococcal disease, another from the same school has undergone testing, and contacts are being monitored. Again, the serogroup was not mentioned. Read more
Advice for travellers
Meningococcal meningitis is an acute bacterial disease transmitted from person-to-person through close (kissing, sharing eating utensils) or extended contact. Risk factors include extensive travel in crowded conditions, extended contact with local people in crowded places and travel to North Africa’s ‘meningitis belt’ where meningitis outbreaks occur in the dry season (Dec-April) and just prior to the rainy season (May-June). Read more about Men. meningitis.
Rabies update
In a summary of rabies in Indonesia, the health department named two districts in East Nusa Tenggara province where extraordinary rabies events had been declared: Sikka district on the island of Flores and South Central Timor District in the western part of the island of Timor. Bites from rabies-infected dogs are the main source of transmission to humans in Indonesia, and over the past three years, the annual number of exposures exceeded 80,000 and fatalities averaged 68. In other reports on rabies, ProMED lists a number of recent exposures in Canada (Nunavut) and the USA (Florida, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Virginia and Utah). And finally, a grouping of international agencies has undertaken a mass rabies vaccination of dogs in Cambodia’s capital, immunising nearly 75,000 of Phnom Penh’s dogs in just 10 days. Up to 600,000 Cambodians are bitten by dogs each year and many are not aware of the urgent need for post-exposure treatment. 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.
1st MVD outbreak now over
Welcome news with the end of the country’s first outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) declared – the event resulted in a total of nine confirmed and probable cases and six deaths. The WHO advises countries in these situations to continue surveillance and other response activities for three months after the end of an outbreak. If no new MVD cases are confirmed in the Equatorial Guinea outbreak by next week, its outbreak is also likely to be finalised. 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
High Hep C rates in UP district
A media report on hepatitis C cases in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, cites a lack of awareness of transmission as a major reason behind the high rates of infection in the district. As many as 15,000 Hep C cases have been diagnosed and that number creeps up each week. A doctor at a local treatment centre also raised the issue of rural barbers using the same blade on numerous clients as a likely contributing factor in viral transmission. Read more
Sporadic pertussis outbreaks
High rates of pertussis infections among some communities in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv have led to a 12-fold year on year national increase. Difficulty in accessing vaccination services is one stumbling block for larger families and so an association of paediatricians has suggested sending mobile immunisation services to the affected communities. 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.
West Nile virus season starts
Advisories have been issued over early detections of West Nile virus (WNV) positive birds (in Varese, Lombardy) and mosquitoes (Catania, Sicily). No human cases have been reported as yet, but after the elevated levels of activity seen last year and the recent floods, authorities anticipate viral circulation to rise in the coming weeks. Read more
Advice for travellers
West Nile virus is endemic in Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean basin, with epidemics regularly reported in summer and autumn since the 1950s. 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. Europe’s outbreaks are not as severe or widespread as in other regions where the virus occurs, notably North America. Read more on WNV.
Measles outbreaks persist
Measles infections are still being reported in the capital Lusaka, as well as a number of districts in Southern and North-western provinces. The WHO regional bulletin put Zambia’s national case count at 1,615 and 31 deaths up to mid-May. In other news on measles, in South Africa, the NICD update of June 2 observed ‘a notable decrease in the number of measles cases reported in all provinces affected by the outbreak’, which has resulted in more than 1,030 cases since early October. Highest case numbers have been in Limpopo (459 cases), North West (217), Gauteng (175) and Mpumalanga (175). Lastly, Kyrgyzstan’s measles infections rose sharply to 559 by the end of May, with the majority recorded in Osh and Osh region, followed by the regions of Batken and Talas, and Bishkek. 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.
HFMD in southern peninsular state
The cumulative total of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases has risen to 1,565 in the state of Johor, while infection rates have been highest among children under six years of age and, by location, in Johor Baru district which sits on the Malaysian side of the Johor-Singapore Causeway. Read more
Advice for travellers
Parents of young children should be aware of that seasonal epidemics of HFMD occur throughout Asia. The virus 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 on HFMD.
2 STIs at record high levels in 2022
The number of gonorrhoea and syphilis cases rose to record highs last year. According to the UKHSA, the more than 82,500 gonorrhoea cases represented the most in any year since records have been kept, while for syphilis, infections reached ‘the largest annual number since 1948’. Test positivity for STIs is highest in the 15 to 24 years of age cohort. Read more
Advice for travellers
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterium that enters through wounded skin or mucous membranes. You can get syphilis by direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Infections can cause long-term complications if not treated correctly with an effective antibiotic. Read more about syphilis and other STIs.
Probe into local malaria case
National and Florida health authorities are investigating a locally-acquired case of malaria in the SW county of Sarasota. According to the CDC, while most malaria infections diagnosed in the US are imported, this is not the first local case due to Plasmodium vivax infection - ‘Anopheles mosquito vectors exist throughout the United States. In 2003 there were 8 cases of locally acquired P. vivax malaria identified in Palm Beach County, FL.’ Insecticide fumigation has been carried out in the locality and the public made aware of prevention measures. Read more
Anthrax in mountainous NW province
A recent spike in anthrax cases in the remote NW province of Dien Bien has put authorities on alert and they are now conducting investigations. Most of the 14 infections confirmed this month resulted from consuming or butchering infected meat from cattle, however a recent case involves a 2yo child from Tuan Giao District with no known source of transmission. One media report commented on the increased risk of anthrax in the province when compared with yearly averages over the past five years. 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.