Current Travel Health News

The Ministry of Health of Singapore reported the 24^th case of Chikungunya Fever of the country this year. The victim was a 37-year-old woman who had no recent travel history.

(Source: The Central News Agency 13 June 2008)

An outbreak of Mumps was confirmed in the eastern Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada. The 47 patients were from 2 years to 59 years of age. It was likely that an non-immunized person picked up the Mumps virus in Alberta, where there was also an outbreak, and spread the disease to other non-immunized people in British Columbia

(Source: ProMED-mail 15 June 2008)

In USA, H7N3 low pathogenic Avian Influenza viruses were detected among poultry in a farm in Arkansas State during routine surveillance. All 16 000 birds in the farm were culled.

(Source: World Organisation for Animal Health 10 June 2008)

In Brazil, 42 500 cases of Dengue Fever including 7 deaths were reported in the state of Minas Gerais in the first 5 months of this year.

As of 24 May, 7 391 cases of Dengue Fever were reported in Peru. Out of which, 1 566 cases were laboratory-confirmed cases.

(Source: ProMED-mail 9 June 2008)

In Argentina, as of 20 May, 2008, 7 confirmed cases of Yellow Fever including 1 death have been reported. All cases were reported in Misiones Province, where the first official human case of Yellow Fever for 2008 was reported on March 3, 2008.

(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention U.S.A. 13 June 2008)

An outbreak of Rickettsial Spotted Fever had been seen in the city of Platina of Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Three people died of the disease.

[Editor’s note: Rickettsial Spotted Fever may cause headache, muscle ache, lethargy and high fever. A spotted rash usually appears on the limbs and body. Patients can become very sick a few days later, some may have severe complications. The infection is caused by Rickettsia microorganism which can be found in ticks. The disease is transmitted through tick bites. Wearing long-sleeved clothing and using insect repellants may prevent tick bites.]

(Source: ProMED-mail 13 & 14 June 2008)

In Brazil, as of 11 June, 2008, 45 confirmed cases of Yellow Fever have been reported, including 25 deaths.

(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention U.S.A. 13 June 2008)

In Paraguay, as of 12 May 2008, 25 confirmed cases of Yellow Fever have been reported, including 8 deaths. These cases have been reported from the following departments: 15 cases in San Pedro Department, in the east central region of Paraguay; 9 cases in Central Department, near the capital city, Asuncion; and one case in Caaguazú Department, an area east of Asuncion.  The last case of Yellow Fever in the country was more than 30 years ago.

(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention U.S.A. 13 June 2008)

Up to May 2008, cases of Poliomyelitis have been found in these countries:

In the Luanda area of Angola, 5 cases were reported.

Chad reported 2 cases.

Central African Republic has reported its first case­ since November 2004.

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2 cases were reported. The most recent case was from North Kivu Province.

Two polio cases were reported in the Ethiopia/south Sudan cross-border area.

Niger continued to be exposed to repeated importations due to her proximity to endemic areas of northern Nigeria.

In Nigeria, 167 cases were reported, 25 are from Kano State.

In the southern region of Afghanistan, 6 cases were reported.

In India, 222 cases were reported mostly in Bihar Pradesh.

Nepal continued to be exposed to repeated importations due to her proximity to endemic areas of India.

In Pakistan, 7 cases were reported, mostly in Sindh province.

(Source: ProMED-mail 14 June 2008)

In Yemen, an outbreak of Dengue Fever affecting nearly 1 000 people with 5 deaths has been reported in Shabwah Province since mid May.

(Source: ProMED-mail 9 June 2008)

In Turkey, more than 20 deaths due to Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever have been reported in the country so far this year. More than 300 people were hospitalized after being bitten by ticks.

(Source: ProMED-mail 12 & 15 June 2008)