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 February 2024
157% rise in dengue cases between 2023 to 2024
A continuing travel notice alert for the Americas region where 80% of the world’s Dengue cases are reported. To date in 2024 more than 670,000 cases of Dengue have been reported with 102 deaths, a rise of 157% in one year. Highest case reports are in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Bolivia. 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.
AFRICA - Ongoing Dengue risk
Travellers to Africa are being warned of an increased risk of dengue fever as many countries are reporting higher than usual dengue fever cases – these include: Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Mali, Senegal, Sudan. Read more
Advice for travellers
Dengue is spread by Aedes mosquitoes which breed in shady areas close homes and other accommodation. They 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 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 and preventing insect bites.
Another humanavian flu (H5N1) case reported
Cambodia's health ministry has reported another human from H5N1 avian influenza infection in the Kamoot province, southern Cambodia. An investigation found prior to the patients symptoms, there were seven dead chickens at her home. Read more
Advice for travellers
While bird flu is often fatal in humans, there has been no sustained person-to-person transmission. Infection occurs after contact with the saliva, mucous or faeces of infected birds or surfaces contaminated with them, which makes the disease a low risk for most travellers. Australians travelling to a region where the disease is present or an outbreak is occurring should avoid contact with birds or poultry in marketplaces, wash their hands before and after preparing food, and observe strict personal hygiene. Read more on bird flu and how to avoid it. Read more
Monkey-pox accelerating with Children most affected
In the DRC, children are accounting for a majority of infections and deaths in the world’s worst mpox outbreak, accelerating at a faster rate than thought. Read more
Advice for travellers
Closely related to the smallpox virus, monkeypox is mainly found in Central and Western Africa. Rodents are the suspected reservoir, with monkeys and humans as secondary or ‘spill-over’ hosts. People can be infected by eating undercooked ‘bushmeat’ or handling infected animals, making infection a low risk for travellers. Read more on monkeypox.
Mass polio vaccination campaign underway in East Java
Health officials have declared an ‘extraordinary event’ in East Java with 11 contracting measles - with Indonesia declared free of measles a decade ago. 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.
MEXICO: Volcano eruption forces Mexico City flight cancellations
Air travel in and out of Mexico City has been disrupted, with flights being grounded due to an eruption from Mexico’s most active volcano - ’Popo’. Volcanic ash is filling the skies affecting air travel and air quality. Approximately 25 million residents live within a 60 mile radius of the volcano and a level 2 volcanic threat has been issued in the region. Read more
Advice for travellers
Breathing in air pollutants can irritate your airways and may cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, asthma episodes and chest pain.
Taiwan reports 1st domestic typhoid case of 2024
The CDC has reported Taiwan has a confirmed locally acquired typhoid fever case – the first for 2024, the patient is believed to have been infected from a fishing port in Taipei.
Advice for travellers
Typhoid fever 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
Bubonic plague reported in Oregon for the first time in a decade
Health officials identified the disease quickly, treated successfully and believe the transmission was from the patient’s cat. All contacts were notified and treated, so are not expecting the disease to spread. 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.