Dengue marches on in Latin America; cases soar in Phuket

Latin America and Caribbean countries continue to be hard hit by dengue fever epidemics sweeping the tropics, as this Health Map screenshot of the region's current outbreaks shows.
This week's global dengue report from ProMED contains updates on new or existing outbreaks of the mosquito-borne disease in Latin America - Mexico (Jalisco state), Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Brazil (Rio de Janeiro; Minas Gerais and Alagoas states), Argentina and Colombia - and SE Asia (Indonesia, East Jakarta). More details.
In Phuket (Thailand), dengue numbers are soaring with 217 cases this year - almost double the number for all of 2009. The popular tourist destination has one of the highest dengue infection rates of any Thai province, according to provincial health authorities.More details.
In Sri Lanka, the densely populated Jaffna and Gampaha districts of the capital, Colombo have experienced a new wave of dengue fever following last month's widespread flooding. More details.

WORLD TRAVEL HEALTH ALERTS - JUNE 30, 2010
- Fiji: Typhoid focus shifts to Cakaudrove
- Low vaccination rates see surge in whooping cough
- Climate change hastens spread of deadly diseases in northern Europe
- Kenya's capital a hot spot for cholera
- In Russia, tick-borne disease claims 40 lives
- Fears of malaria spike in Philippines

Fiji: Typhoid focus shifts to Cakaudrove
In Fiji, medical authorities have shifted the focus of a UN-assisted typhoid vaccination campaign to Cakaudrove province (Vanua Levu island), after several new cases. Fiji's Ministry of Heath says Navosa (Viti Levu) and surrounding areas are now free of the highly infectious disease. More details.
Advice to travellers: While Fiji's tourist destinations remain unaffected by the current typhoid outbreak, the disease is still circulating. Although highly contagious, the disease poses a low risk for most short-stay travellers to Fiji. Those travellers planning to visit or stay in rural areas outside resorts should follow Travelvax's guidelines for choosing safe food and drinks to reduce the risk of typhoid and, more commonly, travellers' diarrhoea. Vaccination against typhoid may be recommended for some travellers and Travelvax's travel health professionals can provide more information on 1300 360 164.

Low vaccination rates see surge in whooping cough
In the USA, California health authorities last week declared an epidemic of whooping cough (pertussis), after the deaths of five infants. With well over 1000 cases, mainly among unvaccinated Latino residents, authorities fear the outbreak could be the worst in 50 years. More details.
In neighbouring Oregon, Jackson country has recorded 23 cases of whooping cough - more than twice its annual average. More details.
In New Zealand, a whooping cough outbreak in the Canterbury region appears to be easing after 15 cases. More details.
Advice to travellers: Childhood diseases are common in both developing and developed countries. Regardless of their destination, we recommend all travellers to check their immunisation status for pertussis, measles, mumps and polio as part of their pre-travel medical preparations.

Climate change hastens spread of deadly diseases in northern Europe
In Europe, scientists report rising global temperatures might already be helping infectious diseases like dengue fever, yellow fever, malaria and even human plague to spread north through the continent. Higher temperatures provide the right conditions for mosquitoes and the viruses they carry to grow faster and produce more - even in northern countries previously considered too cold for these tropical and sub-tropical diseases. More details.

Kenya's capital a hot spot for cholera
In Africa, widespread cholera has claimed 21 lives in Nigeria's Adamawa state, while across Kenya there were 13 deaths and almost 900 cases in June, mainly in areas of Nairobi, the Rift Valley and the coast. More details.
Advice to trave llers: Travelvax can advise travellers if cholera is a risk in the country or region they may be visiting, and if the disease poses a significant risk. For most short-stay travellers, the risk of cholera is low. To avoid cholera, dysentery and travellers' diarrhoea, travellers should adopt strict personal hygiene, and follow food and water guidelines, especially when visiting areas with outbreaks. Avoid drinking unchlorinated water, adding ice to drinks and eating at street markets where food is not refrigerated.

In Russia, tick-borne disease claims 40 lives
Russia is having a bad year for ticks, with more deaths from tick-borne encephalitis (40) than in all of 2009 (7). Most of the victims were children. More details.
Advice to travellers: Tick-borne diseases present a low risk for most travellers to Europe and North America during the current northern summer. However, all tick-borne diseases have long-term health repercussions and some are potentially fatal. Those spending time in rural areas should use repellent to avoid bites and inspect for ticks after outings. Read more on tick-borne encephalitis.

Fears of malaria spike in Philippines
In the Philippines, malaria cases in Puerto Princesa city (Palawan Island) are already well up on last year and health authorities fear a spike with the onset of the rainy season. More details.