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Travelvax Australia compiles this weekly bulletin of global travel health alerts, risk assessments and advice for the information of Australian travellers and the travel industry. Please contact our travel health advisory service on 1300 360 164 for broad destination-specific advice and vaccination recommendations. Recommended vaccines, travel medication, trip-specific advice and accessories are available during a medical consultation with a travel health professional at any of Travelvax Australia's 32 clinics. Visit our website or call 1300 360 164 for details.
WORLD TRAVEL HEALTH ALERTS - SEPTEMBER 1, 2010
- Sharp spike in Delhi's dengue tally; 'imported' cases soar in Qld
- Pool may be culprit in WA Legionnaires cases
- Cholera toll rises in Africa, Asia
- Rains bring typhoid, diarrhoea to India's north
- West Nile deaths continue in Greece
- Virus takes flight and lands in Turkey, Russia, Israel, Romania
- Children fall to deadly encephalitis diseases
- Japanese encephalitis claims three lives in Nepal
- Victoria sounds alert for World Cup measles
- Measles outbreak reaches Zimbabwe's south
Sharp spike in Delhi's dengue tally; 'imported' cases soar in Qld
In Delhi, officials are maintaining 24-hour monitoring of the national capital's Commonwealth Games venues as cases of dengue fever increased alarmingly to 800 in the city last week. With 32 days until the opening ceremony, officials are desperate to rein in the disease, prosecuting thousands of people who failed to eliminate mosquito-breeding sites around their properties. Yesterday's world-wide dengue bulletin also focused on epidemics and outbreaks in AMERICAS - US Virgin Islands, Martinique and Guadeloupe, Mexico (Nayarit), Honduras, Colombia (Magdalena), Venezuela, Peru (Piura), Brazil (Roraima); ASIA - Philippines (national figures, Zamboanga), Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam (Central Highlands), India (Orissa). More details.
With 27 'imported' cases already, Far North Queensland is heading for a record number of dengue fever cases among Aussie travellers returning from the tropics this year. Cairns has two active dengue outbreaks, including one in the CBD. This earlier bulletin also detailed epidemics in ASIA - Taiwan, Philippines (Negros Occidental), Vietnam (Da Nang, Gia Lai), Laos, India (Delhi), and Japan (ex-Benin); MIDDLE EAST - Yemen; AMERICAS - Jamaica, Honduras, Argentina (Catamarca), Brazil (Roraima, Mato Grosso, Pernambuco, Minas Gerais, Espirito Santo). More details.
Advice to travellers: Seasonal rains and warm temperatures continue to create ideal conditions for dengue fever-carrying mosquitoes in tropical countries in the Caribbean, Latin America, SE Asia and the Pacific. Travellers to these regions should be aware that dengue poses a significant health risk due to the widespread nature of the epidemics. Preventing mosquito bites is the only sure way to avoid the risk: There is no vaccine for dengue. Travellers should regularly apply an effective insect repellent containing DEET or Citriodiol to exposed skin when outdoors at any time and in any setting, including resorts and hotels.
Pool may be culprit in WA Legionnaires cases
A swimming pool or spa at a Kuta Beach (Bali) hotel are the most likely sources of the Legionellosis infection in two middle-aged Perth people, according to Western Australian health department epidemiologist, Dr Gary Dowse. He said the two holidayed independently at the unnamed hotel around the same time in August. More details.
Advice to travellers: The Legionella bacteria thrives in warm water, usually in air-conditioning systems of large buildings, but also hot water tanks, heated pools, spas etc. Transmitted by breathing in contaminated mist or vapor, Legionnaires disease is not contagious and presents a low risk to travellers.
Cholera toll rises in Africa, Asia
As the death toll from cholera and gastroenteritis rises in flood-ravaged regions of Pakistan, Nigeria fears an extensive cholera epidemic that has claimed 136 lives in the north could soon spread across the nation. This bulletin also details outbreaks of water-borne cholera, acute diarrhoea or dysentery in Cameroon (northern states) and Chad, India (Punjab), Nepal (Midwestern region), and China (Hong Kong). More details.
Today's bulletin updates the one above, detailing outbreaks of cholera and diarrhoea in Pakistan (Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh), India (Jammu and Kashimir state), China (Anhui), Nepal (Midwestern region), Somalia, Nigeria (Adamawa), and Kenya (Nyanza). More details.
Advice to travellers: The risk of cholera for most travellers is low - even when visiting countries where the disease is endemic. However, those heading to regions with cholera outbreaks should adhere to strict personal hygiene guidelines and choose food and beverages with care. Travelvax can advise travellers if cholera is a significant risk for their journey and whether vaccination is recommended.
Rains bring typhoid, diarrhoea to India's north
In India's north, rain and contaminated water have led to outbreaks of typhoid and acute diarrhoea in and near the city of Panchkula (Haryana state). More details.
West Nile deaths continue in Greece
A ninth elderly person died of mosquito-borne West Nile virus in northern Greece last week, with 12 new cases bringing the total to 114. Scientists believe the primary hosts are migratory birds that nest in the country's north and say the outbreak is likely to continue until the onset of cooler weather. More details.
Advice to travellers: As this alert and the one following confirm, West Nile virus currently is widespread in the Mediterranean. Travellers to the region should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. While WNV generally causes only mild flu-like symptoms, potentially fatal meningitis, encephalitis and other severe symptoms may occur, particularly in elderly patients.
Virus takes flight and lands in Turkey, Russia, Israel, Romania
West Nile virus is suspected in the deaths of 6 people in Masina (Turkey) in the last fortnight. Testing is underway to determine if it's the same strain that claimed 9 lives in Greek Macedonia recently, with migrating birds carrying the virus across the Aegean Sea. More details.
In Russia, 5 people have died and more than 100 infected in an outbreak of West Nile virus in Volgograd, central Russia. More details.
Two Dutch travellers have contracted West Nile virus during a holiday in Israel, where 12 case s occurred recently in Tel Aviv. Cases occur between August and October each year, but Israel's last significant outbreak was in 2000, when 400 cases were reported. More details.
In Romania, two people have died in Bucharest and Constanta, and five others infected, in eastern and southern regions. More details.
Children fall to deadly encephalitis diseases
In India, encephalitis claimed eight more young lives in eastern Uttar Pradesh last week, bringing the death toll to 219 - mainly children. More than 1324 cases have been recorded and health officials expect the figure to treble, with one-in-5 likely to be fatal. Mosquito-borne Japanese encephalitis and a similar, but still undiagnosed acute encephalitis are responsible for deaths in Gorahkpur, Deoria, Mahrajganj, the Kushinagar district, and Bihar. More details.
Advice to travellers: Spread by infected mosquitoes, JE presents a low risk for most travellers. It is usually associated with rural travel, with the season, destinations, length of stay and activities among the contributing risk factors. Those planning stays in rural areas should seek advice from Travelvax on whether their itinerary presents sufficient risk to recommend vaccination. Avoiding mosquito bites using an insect repellent containing DEET or Citriodiol is essential to guard against JE and other mosquito-borne diseases, which usually present a higher risk.
Japanese encephalitis clai ms three lives in Nepal
In Nepal, an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis in far-western Kailali district claimed a third young life last week. Two children died earlier this month, and 12 people are undergoing treatment. Kailali is one of 24 districts in Nepal endemic for JE. More details.
Victoria sounds alert for World Cup measles
In Victoria (Australia), two soccer fans who returned from South Africa's World Cup with measles have prompted a state-wide request to GPs and hospitals to watch for secondary cases. More details.
Advice to travellers: Measles and other childhood diseases are common in both developing and developed countries. Measles is highly contagious and outbreaks have been widespread this year across Africa, as well as in other parts of the world. Regardless of their destination, we recommend all travellers check their immunisation status for measles, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), mumps and polio as part of their pre-travel medical preparations.
Measles outbreak reaches Zimbabwe's south
Zimbabwe's measles epidemic has spread to the southern Zaka district with 15 cases reported last week. The country's widespread, year-long epidemic has claimed hundreds of lives, mainly children. More details.
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