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 26th of April 2023
Health department responds to measles case
After an elementary school student in Tafuna tested positive to measles late last month, the health department ordered the closure of schools and daycare centres to protect babies too young to be vaccinated. By this week, 29 probable measles cases have been identified in various locations on the main island of Tutuila - test results are pending. Schools are to remain closed until May 12, while the department’s response measures include increased testing and a supplemental vaccination drive. More news on measles from around the globe: an April 20 NICD update on the situation in South Africa states that there are indications ‘that infection incidence is likely decreasing’, and in Hawai‘i, USA, a contact of a confirmed measles case has tested positive for the infection some two weeks after that case, in an international traveller, was reported. The state health department has issued a Medical Advisory to healthcare providers and reminded the public to check their vaccinations are current. 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.
Dengue surge reported
The latest health department report on dengue and chikungunya transmission reveals a shift from dengue serotype DENV-1 dominance to DENV-2. The latter is circulating in ‘at least 10 jurisdictions out of the 15 affected so far’, and four jurisdictions report activity from both serotypes. According to one media report, more than 60,000 dengue fever infections have been recorded and there have been 40 fatal cases. On chikungunya, 647 locally-acquired cases have been confirmed and another 170 are under investigation. The virus is circulating in Buenos Aires, CABA, Chaco, Córdoba, Corrientes, Formosa, Santa Fe and Salta. In related news, several chikungunya cases have been detected just across the border from Corrientes province in western Uruguay, in the city of Paysandú. 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.
Disease risk elevated
A press release issued by the Director of the Pan American Health Organisation last week cited Mexico and Brazil as the two countries in the Americas with ‘more than 50% of children that have never received a vaccine’. The region as a whole is now rated second worst in the world for vaccination coverage in children (it was second highest in 2010) and the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio, tetanus, measles and diphtheria is the highest in 30 years. Read more
Global polio digest
The only country to report polio cases to the GPEI last week was Mozambique, with three circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) infection in Zambezia province. In the meantime, the WHO has published more details on Burundi’s cVDPV2 case linked to the novel oral poliovirus type 2 announced in mid-March. The patient, an unvaccinated child suffering from acute flaccid paralysis, was from Bujumbura Rural province. In addition, five cVDPV2-positive environmental samples were collected from Bujumbura Mairie province at the end of last year. The report noted that sequencing had linked the isolated viruses to a new emergence in Sud-Kivu, D R of Congo. 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.
East coast malaria update
From an April 18 Health Surveillance Directorate update on the spread of P. falciparum malaria in Huetar Caribbean region: confirmed cases had risen to 116, ‘57 cases in Pococí, 55 in the canton Limón, two in Matina, one in Guácimo and one case in Siquirres’. The ministry advised that the outbreak has been contained but asks anyone who visited the region in the week to April 8 to monitor their health for symptoms indicative of malaria infection. And in Panama, a year-on-year increase in malaria cases is likely after more than 3,300 infections were recorded in the latest update. The top three regions for positive cases were Guna Yala, Darién and Ngäbe Buglé. 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.
More cases in 2 MVD outbreaks
Another fatal Marburg virus disease (MVD) case has been reported in Bukoba rural district, Kagera region, taking the outbreak total to nine and six deaths. All but six of the 212 contacts have completed the monitoring period. And in Equatorial Guinea, MVD cases have risen to 11 this week and the national count to 17 (plus 23 probable). The latest infection, in Bata (Litoral province) was in the village of Nkolombo. 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
Plague cases in central region
Peak plague transmission season is nearing its end, with most of the cases registered since March in Ambositra, the capital of Amoron'i Mania region. Authorities have carried out disinfection of the affected neighbourhoods and reminded residents to maintain clean houses and environs to discourage the presence of rodents and their fleas. Read more
Advice for travellers
Plague occurs annually in Madagascar, but poses a low risk to most travellers. Most cases of plague 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.
Uptick in TBE infections
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) case numbers reported to mid-April this year are more than triple the total for the same period in 2022. The TBE endemic regions are predominantly in the country’s north-east bordering the Baltic States, including Podlaskie Voivodeship. Uptake of the TBE vaccine in Poland is reported to be sub-optimal. Read more
Advice for travellers
A viral infection, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) can cause fever, vomiting, cramps and paralysis, which can be prolonged. In rare instances, infection can be fatal. Travellers who spend time in regions where TBE is endemic – mainly forested areas of Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Northern China, and Mongolia – may be at risk. The highest risk is during the warmer months from April to November, especially when hiking or camping in areas below 1500m. While safe and effective vaccines are available in Europe, none are licensed in Australia. However, vaccination can be obtained by doctors through a Special Access Scheme.
Rise in mosquito-borne infections
In response to questions from the media about the increase in vector-borne infections such as dengue fever and malaria (mainly P. vivax), a senior official with the Ministry of Health & Medical Services said that anti-mosquito programs are in place, but reminded residents to use mosquito nets, present early in the event of symptoms and to ensure treatment is completed. The department has registered malaria-related deaths. 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.
Preparations for Jamboree
At the beginning of August more than 30,000 scouts from around the globe will be meeting at the World Scouting Jamboree being held at SaeManGeum, on the SW coast near Byeonsanbando National Park. TravelHealthPro (UK) provides some general recommendations for the health of participants, including ensuring routine vaccinations are current, as well as some of the potential risks of mass gatherings and camping. Read more