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– Have a measles shot, Europe urges visitors
– Measles taking a massiveterrible toll in Africa
– South Australia bucks national flu trend
– Sharp rise in scarlet fever figures
– Dengue on the rise in Thailand’s north
– Encephalitis toll rising in India’s north; New JE case in Taiwan
– Malaria looms as monsoon threat for Delhi
– Typhoid risk in Fiji’s sweet spot
– Zimbabwe’s cities now carry risk of malaria
– Travellers warned of rabies on Flores
– Legionnaires hits Las Vegas hotel
– More leptospirosis tipped in wake of Philippines’ floods
– Rampant HFMD claims young lives in Ho Chi Minh City
– Diphtheria death in Rajasthan
Have a measles shot, Europe urges visitors
Visiting Europe soon? Ensure you are vaccinated against measles. That is the message to travellers heading to the Continent this (northern) summer from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The ECDC is especially concerned about young travellers attending mass gatherings like the World Youth Day in Spain next month. More details.
Europe-bound travellers can monitor measles outbreaks in their destination country by checking a new Eurosurveillance publication.
Advice to travellers: Australian travellers who have not had measles or have not received two documented doses of live virus vaccine should consider a booster – regardless of their destination. We also advise tra vellers to check their immunisation status for childhood diseases such as whooping cough, diphtheria, mumps, and polio, as part of their pre-travel medical preparations.
Measles taking a terrible toll in Africa
Massive measles outbreaks are devastating Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo and drought-stricken Kenya.
There have been at least 17,584 cases (114 deaths) in Ethiopia, and at least 462 cases (11 deaths) among Somali children in the Dadaab refugee camp in northern Kenya, according to reports quoting the UN. More details.
More than 2500 people have died as outbreaks of measles and cholera sweep across the Democratic Republic of Congo. More details.
In New Zealand, Auckland’s measles tally has climbed to 64, with 5 people requiring hospitalisation. More details.
In South Australia, a man returned from Dubai (United Arab Emirates) with measles. Authorities have warned fellow passengers who were aboard international and domestic flights, and at Melbourne and Adelaide airports, to watch for symptoms. More details.
South Australia bucks national flu trend
Australia’s flu season is now in full swing, with cases up sharply in South Australia, Queensland and NSW – 5640 compared to 1088 in the same period last year.
Most cases are A(H1N1)2009 (swine flu) except in SA, where almost 80% of the 1300 cases were Influenz a B strain. Children and young adults aged 5-19 have accounted for half the patients.
Across the Tasman, only a few districts in New Zealand report flu activity. In South Africa, which has recorded 2 flu deaths, transmission has now peaked and case numbers appear to be declining.
WHO figures reveal low levels in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
More details.
Sharp rise in scarlet fever figures
The outbreak of scarlet fever centred on Hong Kong shows no signs of slowing, with 200 cases in the last fortnight bringing the total to 874. International observers are asking how many of China’s 31,000 cases this year have been recorded in Guangdong, the mainland province that surrounds Hong Kong. The outbreak is also affecting Taiwan. More details.
Dengue on the rise in Thailand’s north
High temperatures during the current rainy season are creating ideal mosquito breeding conditions in Thailand’s north. Case numbers are rising in Maha Sarakham Province, in particular the districts of Muang (34 cases), Phayakkhaphum Phisai (29), and Borabue (17). More details.
In contrast, lower temperatures have brought relief to hard-hit Brazil, with fewer reports of outbreaks. Half-year figures were released last week for one of Brazil’s largest states, Mato Grosso do Sul (12,840 cases/3 deaths) and it’s smallest, Se rgipe (4884 confirmed or suspected/ 2 deaths). More details.
Advice to travellers: With seasonal rains in parts of Asia, dengue continues to be a risk for Australian travellers to tropical regions. Personal protection against insect bites is important: The mosquitoes that transmit the dengue virus inhabit urban areas, including leading hotels and resorts, and bite mainly during the day. Travellers should cover up 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.
Encephalitis toll rising in India’s north; New JE case in Taiwan
Deadly encephalitis is claiming a life each day in Assam State, the latest state in northern India to be hit by twin outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis and acute encephalitis syndrome (AES). The Sivasagar district has recorded 21 deaths – 6 from JE and 15 from the as-yet undiagnosed AES, which continues to confound medical experts. More details.
In Uttar Pradesh, another hot spot for JE/AES, 101 of the 625 cases recorded to date this year have been fatal. Districts worst affected include Gorakhpur (141 cases/24 deaths) and Kushinagar (127/25). More details.
Taiwan last week recorded its fourth case of Japanese encephalitis for the year. The disease occurs mai nly between May and October. More details.
Advice to travellers: JE is endemic in India and the transmission season is now underway. The seasonal disease occurs in a broad geographical area that extends from South Asia, through Southeast and East Asia, and includes the northern tip of Australia. It is the main cause of viral encephalitis in Asia, with 30,000-50,000 cases reported annually. Travellers whose itinerary may put them at risk should discuss their plans with a travel health professional at Travelvax (landline toll-free 1300 360 164).
Malaria looms as monsoon threat for Delhi
In monsoon-soaked Delhi, malaria is emerging as a citywide health threat, outstripping dengue as the main mosquito-borne risk. With numbers significantly up on last year, authorities are stepping up prosecution of householders who fail to rid their properties of mozzie breeding sites. More details.
Advice to travellers: Travelvax recommends anti-malaria medication to Australians travelling to India, including major cities. Malaria is present year-round in urban and rural areas. Travellers should discuss their itinerary, preventative medications, and the available options at a Travelvax clinic, or with their healthcare provider. For advice call 1300 360 164.
Typhoid risk in Fiji’s sweet spot
In Fiji, health authorities are concerned at recent typhoid cases in cane cutter camps with poor sanitation and water supplies in the Western and Northern divisions on Vanua Levu Island. During the cutting season, as many as 30,000 men live in camps between Sigatoka and Rakiraki. More details.
Advice to travellers: Typhoid is a persistent problem in Fiji, but the disease presents a low risk for short stays in hotels or resorts. Vaccination is more likely to be recommended for travellers staying in rural areas, and for adventurous eaters. Travellers should also follow safe food and water guidelines, and personal hygiene practices.
Zimbabwe’s cities now carry risk of malaria
Tests underway in Zimbabwe is expected to confirm that malaria is now present throughout the country, including the capital Harare, and Bulawayo, which were previously considered free of the disease. The country’s high-risk areas include Victoria Falls and other border areas, such as Manicaland, Mudzi, Beitbridge, Hwange, and Kariba. More details.
Advice to travellers: Malaria occurs year-round in Zimbabwe, including in metro areas once thought to be risk free.
Travellers warned of rabies on Flores
While a dog vaccination program has cut the number of human fatalities from rabies on Flores this year, the disease continues to be a risk for travellers heading to the Indonesian island, an Australian animal expert has warned. More details.
Advice to travellers: As stated previously, the risk of rabies for most Australians travelling to Indonesia is low. However, when visiting any islands, including Bali, avoid contact with wild and domestic animal s, and seek post-exposure treatment urgently if bitten. Rabies immunoglobulin for rapid post-exposure treatment continues to be in short supply on the island.
Legionnaires hits Las Vegas hotel
Six patrons have tested positive to Legionnaires' bacteria after staying at the 4000-room Aria Resort in Las Vegas (Nevada, USA). Recent guests have been warned of the outbreak and test are being conducted to identify the source of the infection. More details.
Advice to travellers: Legionnaires disease is not contagious and presents a low risk to travellers. The legionella bacteria thrives in warm water, usually in air-conditioning systems of large buildings, as well as hot water tanks, heated pools, and spas. It is transmitted by breathing in contaminated mist or vapor. Read more on Legionnaires Disease.
More leptospirosis tipped in wake of Philippines’ floods
Widespread flooding has resulted in a dramatic increase in leptospirosis in the Philippines. A recent surge has seen the total number of cases nationally rise to 521 cases – 38 of them fatal – and the number of cases is expected to rise. More details.
Advice to travellers: Leptospirosis is typically associated with exposure to floodwaters and presents a low risk for most travellers. The bacteria that cause the disease are spread through the urine of infected animals, entering the body through skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth) – especially if the skin is broken. While it occurs worldwide, the disease is mo st common in temperate or tropical regions. As an extra precaution, Australians travellers to the Philippines should first wash fresh vegetables and fruit in clean water, and cook or peel them before eating.
Rampant HFMD claims young lives in Ho Chi Minh City
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) has now killed 46 children and infected 620 in Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding provinces of southern Vietnam. Authorities have closed 30 pre-schools to curb the persistent outbreak. More details.
Advice to travellers: HFMD infection is spread by direct contact with infected persons, or with virus-contaminated surfaces. The disease mainly occurs in children. There is no vaccine or preventative medication. Good hygiene practices will greatly reduce the risk of infection.
Diphtheria death in Rajasthan
In Rajasthan (India), 1child is dead and four others are ill with diphtheria in Sawai Madhopur city, raising serious questions over how effectively the state’s immunisation programs are being implemented. More details.
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.
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