Current Travel Health News

In Indonesia, a suspected human case of Avian Influenza infection was reported. The victim was a 2-year-old girl who had contacts with chickens died of Avian Influenza.

(Source: ProMED-mail 17 March 2009)

The Ministry of Health in Malaysia reported 10 916 cases of Dengue Fever including 31 deaths in January this year, which was higher than the figure in the same period last year.

(Source: Centers for Disease Control, Taiwan 17 March 2009)

In India, an outbreak of H5N1 Avian Influenza which killed 4 birds was reported in a farm in West Bengal Province.

(Source: World Organisation for Animal Health 17 March 2009)

Egypt reported a human case of Avian Influenza. The case was a 38-year-old woman from Assiut Governorate. She developed symptoms on 14 March. Investigations revealed that she had a history of contact with sick and dead poultry prior to becoming ill. She remained in a stable condition. Of the 59 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 23 have been fatal.

(Source: World Health Organization 23 March 2009)

In Brazil, the state of Rio Grande do Sul reported 8 human cases of Yellow Fever infection occurring from December 2008 through January 2009. Five of them died.

(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA 19 March 2009)

In the Mainland, as of 26 Mar, there were a total of 41 846 reported cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease.  Among them, 94 developed severe complications and 18 died of the disease.  Majority of the cases were children below 5 years old.  Henan Province reported 4 761 cases and Shandong Province reported 3 280 cases.  The authorities expected an increasing trend which would probably peak from May to July this year.  In 2008, there were a total of 489 000 reported cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease.  Among them, 1 165 had severe complications and 126 died of the disease.

(Source: Ministry of Health, China 27 March 2009)