Travel Health Alerts

2 polio cases in eastern province, global digest

The first two wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases this year have been recorded in separate districts of Nangarhar province, according to the latest update from the GPEI. News on circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) infections revealed two cVDPV2 cases logged by both the Central African Republic (RS1 and RS3 provinces) and Nigeria (Sokoto and Kebbi states), while a single cVDPV1 patient was reported in the DRC’s Haut Lomami province. 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.

Another MVE case in the west; Bat scratch exposures in Qld’s far north

The third Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) case recorded in Western Australian this year is currently under care in hospital. The state’s health department advised that the infection was probably acquired ‘while travelling from the Pilbara through coastal parts of the West Kimberley in late April/early May’, and stressed once again that avoiding mosquito bites is imperative, particularly when in the affected north-western parts of the state. This year, 14 MVE cases have been confirmed across the country. Read more

THE HEALTH service covering the Torres Strait Islands, Northern Peninsula Area and Cape York has issued a warning to residents and visitors not to handle bats of any species due to the risk of exposure to Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV). The Service’s Public Health Medical Officer said that three people had recently received scratches from bats, but had not contracted ABLV which, although very rare, is fatal if not treated. Read more

Advice for travellers

While the risk of contracting MVE is generally low in people taking anti-insect measures, 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 areas of Australia should take all measures to prevent bites. Apply an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus (PMD) to exposed skin when outdoors. Read more on MVE.

Incremental increase in dengue cases

After a week-on-week increase in suspected dengue fever cases, residents have been warned to clean potential mosquito breeding areas from around their homes. In the most recent reporting week, more than half of patients admitted to hospital for treatment of dengue infections were from the parish of Parish of St Andrew. 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.

Cholera confirmed in lakeside county

News sources are reporting an outbreak of cholera at a fishing village on the shores of Lake Victoria. More than 70 people from Sindo in Homa Bay County remain in hospital with confirmed infections and there has been one death, a young child. 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.

No let-up in measles outbreak

The measles outbreak continues with more than 260 of the 352 cases recorded in children under five years of age, while the most affected areas are Osh region and Osh, Batken region and Bishkek. From another ProMED post, Brazil’s childhood vaccination coverage had slipped by more than 20 percent between 2019 and 2021, by which time it was sitting at just under 72 percent, so ‘3 out of 10 children who have not received the necessary protection against life-threatening and preventable illnesses’. Last year, the number of chickenpox outbreaks in the city of São Paulo rose by 65 percent. 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.

Fever death in Omaheke man

At least 27 people are listed of contacts of a fatal case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) announced by a health department official this week. The man was from Omaheke region in the country’s east but died in an isolation unit at a Windhoek hospital. Six CCHF cases, three fatal, have been recorded since 2016. 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 typhoid update

The ECDC issued an update on extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid fever in travellers, noting four cases this year in Ireland which take its total since early 2019 to 17. Of the 17, 10 had travelled to Pakistan and three were linked to an outbreak stemming from travel to Pakistan. Two others were confirmed following travel to Afghanistan. As the ECDC advised, anyone heading to Pakistan should be aware of ‘the need for vaccination against typhoid fever before travelling, as well as the importance of proper food hygiene and hand-washing practices during travel’. Read more

Advice for travellers

Typhoid is endemic in many developing regions, although it generally presents a low risk for short-stay travellers staying in western-style accommodation. Vaccination is itinerary specific, but is usually recommended for those staying or travelling extensively in rural areas, as well as for adventurous eaters and for travel to areas reporting drug-resistant typhoid. All travellers visiting endemic areas should follow safe food and water guidelines, and adopt strict personal hygiene practices. Read more about typhoid fever.

More Zika cases in same NE area

Five Zika virus cases were detected in the week to May 20, taking the YTD total to eight. Kovan remains the focus of investigations, with four of the seven cases recorded in the district over the two weeks prior to May 23. Meanwhile, there have been almost 3,200 confirmed dengue fever infections this year, however only two locations are currently listed with high-risk clusters. Read more

Advice for travellers

Zika’s symptoms include a rash, pain in the joints, and the eye condition, conjunctivitis lasting 4-7 days. Long-term ill-effects are rare, although the joint pain may linger for weeks, even months. Like dengue and chikungunya, Zika is spread by Aedes mosquitoes which bite by day and are found in urban setting, including leafy gardens and outdoor restaurants – even in upmarket hotels and resorts. Transmission of Zika virus has also occurred during pregnancy, breastfeeding, sexually and also through blood or blood products. Travellers should take particular care to avoid being bitten just after sunrise and just before sunset, the main feeding time for Aedes mosquitoes. All travellers, but particularly pregnant women or those planning pregnancy, should seek medical advice before travel to Zika-affected areas. Read more about Zika virus through healthdirect.  

Cholera in northern Gauteng; Vaccination reminder over 2 diphtheria cases

The death toll from a cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, has risen to 15 and local media report at least 50 people with cholera infections have been admitted to a district hospital for treatment. The neighbouring city of Ekurhuleni is on alert, while government agencies are conducting ‘an investigation into the water quality and identifying the causes for the outbreak’. Meanwhile a May 23 UNICEF press release said there are reports of cholera ‘in other areas, including Free State province’. In related news, the mounting number of countries reporting cholera outbreaks has led to vaccine shortages from the now depleted global stockpile. GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, reports that these supply gaps will continue until approximately 2025. Read more

HEALTHCARE workers have been advised by the NICD to be on the alert for cases of diphtheria after two infections were confirmed last month. They were from distant provinces - Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal - and the agency warns there could be cases in other areas due to the drop in routine vaccination coverage during the pandemic. 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.

Dengue cases surging

Communities have been warned that dengue fever cases are likely to increase beyond the current 250 to 350 per day, as the national case total for May neared 6,000. Last month, Gampaha and Colombo in the Western Province recorded more than 3,200 cases between them, followed by Battacloa and Trincomalee in Eastern Province with 1,060. Read more

Advice for travellers

Dengue is spread by Aedes mosquitoes which breed in shady areas close to habitations and 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 an effective 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.