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 19th of March 2024
Plea for families to get flu vaccine
A warning that an alarming number of children are hospitalised with the flu during flu season. The National Influenza summary for 2023 reported children accounted for 72 per cent of all people hospitalised with the virus, with 9 children under 16 dying of the virus last year. Flu vaccinations are now available in pharmacies for people over the age of five. 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.
Four cases of oropouche fever confirmed
The Bolivian Department of Health have reported 4 confirmed oropouche fever infected patients in the city of Pando, Bolivia. Read more
Advice for travellers
Oropouche virus is part of the orthobunyavirus family, with an incubation period of 4 to 8 days. Similar to dengue, symptom onset is sudden and typically includes fever, headache, musculoskeletal pain, chills, and sometimes, nausea. Some patients experience aseptic meningitis. Most patients recover in about a week, but for some, symptoms linger for weeks.
It is mainly spread by a species of biting midge called Culicoides paraensis but can also be transmitted by certain Culex mosquitoes. Read more
Dengue fever - state of emergency with one million cases recorded in 2 months
The Brazilian health system is struggling to manage the ongoing dengue outbreak, setting up field hospitals and medical tents around cities to triage patients suspected with the disease. 17 cities in Brazil have declared a state of emergency as the country reaches over 1 million cases of dengue in the first two months of 2024, with 214 deaths reported. Read more
Advice for travellers
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. 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 PMD when outdoors to all exposed skin. Read more about dengue fever.
5 countries reporting more vaccine derived polio cases
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative have reported more vaccine derived polio cases in Guinea (1), Mali (3), Nigeria (8), Chad (1), Somalia (3). 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.
Diphtheria cases emerge after none for 27 years
The National Institute of Public Health (SZU) has reported the first death from diphtheria since 1969 in Prague. There had been no recorded infections in 27 years before the disease re-appeared in 2022. Since re-emergence there have been 12 cases recorded. Read more
Advice for travellers
Diphtheria is caught by coming into contact with droplets from the respiratory tract of an infected person—particularly spread by coughing or sneezing. If the disease is cutaneous, it can be spread by coming into contact with the wounds or lesions of an infected person. Read more
Record number of Hepatitis E cases
An outbreak of hepatitis E infections in Finland is being attributed to a batch of mettwurst and pepperoni, with products being recalled from grocery stores. Across the country - 81 cases have been reported 50% requiring treatment in hospital. Read more
Advice for travellers
Hepatitis E is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Although rare in developed countries, hepatitis E is widespread in the developing world. In the vast majority of people, HEV infection results in a self-limited, acute illness. Read more
Streptococcal infections rise to record levels
Health officials are grappling to find the cause of why a dangerous streptococcal A bacterial infection is spreading at a record rate. The biggest concern is the rare but serious form of the disease - streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). The Japanese’ National Institute of Infectious diseases (NIID) advise while older people are deemed at higher risk, the group A strain of STSS is leading to more deaths among patients under 50. Read more
Advice for travellers
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a type of bacteria that can cause a broad range of infections and complications which vary from mild to severe. Commonly, it causes throat infection (pharyngitis), tonsil infection (tonsillitis), scarlet fever, skin sores (impetigo) and skin infection (cellulitis).
Rarely, it can cause serious, potentially life-threatening infections. Streptococcus group A can cause Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) when they spread into deep tissues and the bloodstream. For nearly half of people who get STSS, experts do not know how the bacteria got into the body. Sometimes the bacteria get into the body through openings in the skin, like an injury or surgical wound. The bacteria can also get into the body through mucus membranes, like the skin inside the nose and throat.
It is very rare for someone with STSS to spread the infection to other people. However, any group A strep infection can turn into STSS and it is very easy to spread group A strep bacteria. Read more on Strep A
Meningococcal Disease Cases highest since 2014
Meningitis continues to be a major public health concern worldwide, with epidemics being reported in 2024. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported a significant increase in meningococcal disease cases in the USA. 415 cases have been confirmed in 2024 the highest case number since 2014. 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 or extended contact with local people in crowded places. Nigeria lies in North Africa’s ‘meningitis belt’, where meningitis outbreaks occur in the dry season (Dec-April) and just prior to the rainy season (May-June). If you plan to visit this region, call Travelvax Australia’s free travel health advisory service (1300 360 164 - toll-free for landlines) for further advice. Read more about Men. meningitis.
Chicago, California, Arizona report further rise in measles
A small but steady rise in measles cases continues across the USA with Chicago health officials reporting a 2nd case in a migrant shelter, California reporting a case in a child returning from overseas, Arizona reports 2 new cases. Other case reports are in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. Read more
Advice for travellers
Measles is a highly contagious virus and can cause serious illness in people of all ages. Most cases reported in Australia are linked to overseas travel - both developing and developed countries. Travelvax Australia recommends travellers check their immunisation status for measles and other childhood diseases such as diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis) and mumps 6 weeks before departure.