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 27th of March 2024
Whooping cough/Pertussis cases rise
Pertussis cases are more than 10 times higher so far this year than for the entire first quarter of 2023, with public health alerts across Australia. 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.
European countries report unusual rise in psittacosis infections
The World Health Organisation (WHO) have reported an unexpected rise in infections involving psittacosis, a respiratory disease from a bacteria known to affect birds, which began in late 2023 and has led to the deaths of five people across 5 countries - Austria, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands. In most cases, the patients had contact with wild or domestic birds. Read more
Advice for travellers
Psittacosis (also known as ornithosis) is a disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci, carried by birds. Humans most commonly catch the disease by inhaling dust containing feathers, secretions and droppings from infected birds. Older people generally experience more severe illness. This disease can be treated with antibiotics. Read more
Ongoing measles outbreak
Northern Bosnia have declared a measles epidemic where approximately 30 children have been hospitalised with the disease. Vaccination rates for measles were missed during the COVID-19 pandemic and the WHO says vaccination catch ups are urgently needed. 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.
Oropouche virus cases rise in Brazil and Peru
Brazil and Peru continue to report more infections involving oropouche virus, which is spread by biting midges and certain types of mosquitoes. Brazilian labs have identified the virus in over 2,000 samples, mostly from people living in the Amazonas states in the NW region, where oropouche virus is endemic. 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
Measles cases surge
The Ministry of Health and Social Protection in Morocco are alerting residents of a surge in measles cases, urging everyone to ensure they are vaccinated. The rise is attributed to a global trend of epidemic outbreaks. 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.
Declares dengue fever public health emergency
A dengue outbreak that has affected more than 550 people this year has been declared a public health emergency. Majority of cases are reported to be in San Juan the capital city. The last dengue emergency alert was 12 years ago in 2012. 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.
Responding to new emergence of variant poliovirus in Red Sea State
Sudan’s Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) is launching a polio vaccination campaign in April 2024 in response to a new emergence of variant poliovirus type 2 detected in six wastewater samples collected from September 2023 to January 2024 in the Port Sudan locality, Red Sea State. 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.
New Mexico plague case
The New Mexico Department of Health last week reported the first case of plague since 2021 with the patient dying of the disease. Rodents can harbor the plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis. The disease can spread to humans through bites from infected fleas or from direct contact with animals, including rodents, wildlife, and pets. 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 rats. 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.