|
WORLD TRAVEL HEALTH ALERTS – April 6, 2011
– First, the good news: Bali on track to eradicate rabies
– Dengue tightens its grip on South America
– Malaysia, Cambodia set for record dengue year
– Perth doctor contracts dengue from needle stick injury
– More suspected dengue cases in Pearl City
– Mozzie disease strikes in San Juan
– Aussie gold miner treated for cholera
– Cholera deaths mount in Africa
– Disease triple whammy for Chad
– Despite more deaths, cholera epidemic now ‘stable’ in Haiti
– Cholera outbreak on Sarawak
– Measles alerts issued for NSW, Queensland
– Bird flu toll rises with Yogyakarta death
– Cerebral malaria and superstition: a deadly combination
– Plague toll mounts
– Flu now at pre-winter levels in Europe
– MVE surfaces in SA’s Riverland region
– Grieving father goes online to warn of Thailand travel risks
First, the good news: Bali on track to eradicate rabies
Stage one of a program to vaccinate Bali’s dogs against rabies has resulted in almost 50% fewer cases among humans and dogs this year. An estimated 70% of the dog population has been vaccinated at a cost of $US775,000 under a program involving Bali’s provincial government and volunteers from the Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA), and funding from the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). In six months, 210,000 dogs in 4123 banjars (village communities) have been vaccinated by 52 teams comprising 420 trained personnel. Authorities are confident the successful completion of stage 2 will see Bali rabies-free by 2012. More details.
Advice to travellers: Despite this encouraging news, travellers should remain alert to the risk of rabies in Bali, and on other Indonesian islands. As stated previously, the risk of rabies for most travellers to Bali is low. However, travellers should avoid contact with wild and domestic animals, especially dogs, and seek urgent post-exposure treatment if bitten. Rabies immunoglobulin for rapid post-exposure treatment continues to be in short supply on the island.
Dengue tightens its grip on South America
BRAZIL: Major epidemics of dengue fever continue across the country, including Rio de Janeiro and other cities and towns. States and regions included in this week’s dengue bulletin include Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo (Campinas, Ituverava, and Sorocaba), Alagoas, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Bahia, and Amazonas.
PARAGUAY: Dengue fever is raging across the country, with 20 deaths and 13,000 people admitted to hospitals in the first 3 months, compared with 15 deaths (10,000 cases) in all of 2010. Elective surgery has been suspended to free hospital beds, while the government looks to hire an extra 2000 doctors and nurses to combat the epidemic. More details.
BOLIVIA: There was a dramatic rise in dengue fever cases last week, with 2 Amazon provinces, Santa Cruz and Beni hardest hit. Of the 23 fatalities and 4000 cases nationwide, Santa Cruz recorded 11 deaths and 1200 cases. More details.
Advice to travellers: Worsening epidemics in Latin America and Asia pose a
significant risk for all travellers, whether visiting urban or rural areas. The mosquitoes that transmit the dengue virus inhabit urban areas, including leading hotels and resorts, and bite during the day. All travellers should take measures to avoid mosquito bites when visiting any tropical country. Cover up as much as possible and regularly apply an insect repellent containing effective active ingredients, such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, to exposed skin at all times when outdoors.
Malaysia, Cambodia set for record dengue year
MALAYSIA: With high case numbers already reported and a lengthy rainy season expected, Malaysia is gearing up for a record number of dengue fever cases in 2011. In the first 2 months of 2011 alone, 13,281 people were admitted to hospital. A nationwide anti-dengue campaign is underway. More details.
CAMBODIA: First quarter dengue numbers (231 cases/2 deaths) are up on the same period last year (193/1), with Phnom Penh, Kandal, Siem Reap, Kampot, Kampong Cham, and Banteay Meanchey provinces the most heavily affected. Dengue transmission peaks between June and September and with 10,000-12,000 annually, the disease is now 'hyper endemic' in Cambodia. Aedes aegypti is the primary vector; Ae. albopictus a secondary vector. More details.
Perth doctor contracts dengue from needle stick injury
AUSTRALIA: In Western Australia (WA), a Perth doctor has contracted dengue fever from a needle stick injury while taking blood from a patient infected in Bali. Dengue cases in WA, which typically involve travellers returning from endemic regions in Asia, increased more than 30% in 2009 and jumped by 250% last year. More details.
More suspected dengue cases in Pearl City
HAWAII (OAHU): Local doctors in Pearl City (north of Honolulu) have reported another 12 suspected cases of dengue fever following two confirmed and 2 suspected cases last week. They are the first locally contracted dengue fever cases since 2001, when 153 people were infected. More details.
Mozzie disease strikes in San Juan
ARGENTINA: There have been 5 confirmed cases of mosquito-borne St Louis Encephalitis virus (SLEV) in San Juan, San Juan state’s provincial capital. Another 7 cases are under investigation, including 1 fatality. More details.
Advice to travellers: Wild birds are the primary hosts of SLEV, which is transmitted by Culex mosquitoes. Most people infected with SLEV have no symptoms or mild, flu-like illness. However, in some individuals, especially the elderly, SLEV can cause serious illness that affects the central nervous system. It is a low risk for travellers. Read more on SLEV.
Aussie gold miner treated for cholera
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: An Australian working for Lihir Gold Mines is recovering from cholera, the first case in New Ireland Province. Other expat contacts are being monitored for symptoms. Emergency measures have been implemented, including local travel restrictions, a ban on the sale of food and ice at roadside stalls and markets, and the screening of outbound passengers at air terminals and ports. More details.
Meanwhile, PNG’s Cholera Task Force says the cholera outbreak on Bougainville is now under control after 2 deaths and 65 cases. More details.
Advice to travellers: For most short-stay travellers, the risk of cholera is low. Australians heading to infected regions should adhere to strict personal hygiene guidelines and choose only safe food and beverages. Call Travelvax for advice on the risks for a particular journey, and whether vaccination should be considered. Contact Travelvax on 1300 360 164.
Cholera deaths mount in Africa
AFRICA: The number of cholera fatalities is rising in Ghana (Accra, New Juaben, Akwapim South, Birim Central, Kwaebibrem District), Zimbabwe (Manicaland), Congo DR (Kisangani), Burundi (Bururi), Nigeria (Bauchi), and Somalia (Mogadishu). More details.
Disease triple whammy for Chad
CHAD: Epidemics of measles, meningitis, and cholera have reached alarming levels in 28 of the country’s 61 districts. To date, 2236 combined cases and 131 deaths have been recorded. More details.
Despite more deaths, cholera epidemic now ‘stable’ in Haiti
Haiti’s cholera death toll has now reached 4672, with 252,640 infected and 136,407 hospitalised. There have 876 deaths in the capital, Port au Prince alone. Despite the rising toll, the epidemic has stabilised, health experts say. More details.
In neighbouring the Dominican Republic, the number of fatalities rose to 7 last week, with 650 infected. More details.
Cholera outbreak on Sarawak
MALAYSIA: Health authorities are searching for the source of 111 cases of cholera in Limbang, located in Sarawak’s northeast, near the border with Brunei. More details.
Measles alerts issued for NSW, Queensland
AUSTRALIA: In New South Wales, 45 cases have been recorded in Western Sydney and Wollongong this year - more than the total number of cases reported each year since 2007. GPs and travel clinics have been alerted to the risk for people about to head overseas. In Queensland, another case has surfaced in the state’s southeast.
Advice to travellers: Travellers who have not had measles or have not received two documented doses of live virus vaccine should consider a booster as part of their pre-travel
vaccination regime. Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease and aircraft passengers are at significant risk – especially if seated near a contagious person. Travelvax recommends all travellers check their immunisation status for measles and other childhood diseases, including whooping cough, diphtheria, mumps and polio, as part of their pre-travel medical preparations.
Bird flu toll rises with Yogyakarta death
INDONESIA: The death from the bird flu (A H5N1) virus of a 28-year-old woman from the Gunung Kidul district (Yogyakarta Province) has raised the number of cases in Indonesia this year to 119 human cases, with 59 fatalities. More details.
Advice to travellers: Indonesia has now had 176 cases (145 deaths), mainly in West Java and Sumatra, since the bird flu outbreak began in 2005. Almost all humans infected have been in close contact with sick birds, or with an infected family member. Travellers visiting areas where outbreaks are occurring should maintain high levels of personal hygiene and wash hands before and after food preparation. They should also avoid: live animal markets, poultry and pig farms; handling sick or dead birds or animals, including cats; touching any surfaces that may be contaminated by poultry droppings; swim in any body of water that is used by birds; eating poultry products, eggs and pork products not thoroughly cooked; consume raw poultry products, such as raw duck blood. Read more on bird flu.
Cerebral malaria and superstition: a deadly combination
INDIA: Falciparum (cerebral) malaria has caused at least 6 deaths in the Lunglei district (Mizoram State) in northeast India. Fearing black magic was behind the illness, many villagers fled to nearby forests. More details.
Advice to travellers: Malaria is present year-round in rural and urban areas of India and the number of potentially fatal Plasmodium falciparum cases is increasing. Travellers to India or other regions of Asia should discuss their itinerary, the need (or not) for preventative medications, and the available options at a Travelvax clinic, or with their healthcare provider.
Plague toll mounts
MADAGASCAR: Plague has now claimed 60 victims (200 cases). The epidemic, which began early this year, is now affecting all areas of the island nation. This alert profiles the deadly disease, which kills within 24 hours without treatment. More details.
Advice to travellers: Generally, plague is an extremely low risk for travellers. In Madagascar, rats flee from flooding during the rainy season (November to April), taking refuge in villages and towns. While this outbreak is widespread, the risk of infection usually lies in travel to rural districts. The proportion of bubonic plague (transmitted from rats by infected fleas) and pneumonic plague (spread from person to person) cases is unknown. More on plague.
Flu now at pre-winter levels in Europe
Continuing
the trend of recent weeks, influenza is now at pre-winter levels in Europe. EuroFlu has an interactive map to check trends, intensity, geographical spread, and impact for each country. More details.
Advice to travellers: Despite falling rates in the Northern Hemisphere, Travelvax recommends vaccination for all travellers. Influenza is the most common vaccine-preventable illness and the new southern hemisphere seasonal flu vaccine protects against both the swine flu (H1N1) and B strains.
MVE surfaces in SA’s Riverland region
AUSTRALIA: Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) has reached South Australia’s Riverland district, with one confirmed and one suspected case – both requiring hospital treatment. The cases follow a suspected death from the mosquito-borne disease in northwestern Victoria last month. More details.
South Australia has also had 350 combined cases of Ross River virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest virus (BFV), mostly in the Riverland and Murray Mallee areas, which saw just 20 cases last year. In neighbouring Victoria, there have been almost 600 RRV cases, mainly in the Grampians and Loddon-Mallee regions.
In Western Australia, travellers were warned MVE and Kunjin virus were detected in northern and central areas (Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, and Murchison) in February, while cases have occurred in the capital, Perth.
Advice to travellers: There is no specific treatment or vaccine for these mosquito-borne viruses. While Ross River and Barmah Forest
infections are never fatal, Murray Valley encephalitis and Kunjin virus can be more severe, causing encephalitis or death in very rare cases. Mosquitoes pass them on to humans after feeding on infected birds attracted to flooded wetlands. Some people have mild symptoms, making it likely other cases in these regions have not been reported. Travellers to wetland areas of the Murray River in Victoria and South Australia, and effected areas of WA, should take all measures to prevent bites. An insect repellent containing containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus should be applied of all exposed skin when outdoors, especially in the early evening.
Grieving father goes online to warn of Thailand travel risks
A grieving father whose daughter died under mysterious circumstances in Chiang Mai in February is soon to launch a website that warns of Thailand’s travel risks. New Zealander, Richard Carter, father of Sarah Carter, 23, has set up ThailandTravelTragedies.com to compile data on other fatalities or serious illnesses among tourists. Meanwhile, Thai authorities are no closer to finding a common link in the death of six tourists and one local woman. Overseas laboratories have been enlisted to help determine the cause of Ms Carter’s death. More details.
Travelvax Australia compiles this weekly bulletin of global travel health news, disease 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.
|
This message is sent in HTML format. You will need an email client capable of reading HTML message to be able to view this content.
