Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (8 November 2010)
As of 3 November, the Ministry of Public Health and Population in Haiti reported 6 742 cases of Cholera including 442 deaths. The confirmed cases have been recorded in the departments of Artibonte, Central, Nord, Nord-Ouest and Ouest. Laboratory test showed that the cholera strain linked to current outbreak is most similar to those found in South Asia.
(Source: World Health Organization 4 November 2010)
Travellers to the affected areas should take the following measures to prevent food and water borne diseases:
- Wash and cook seafood thoroughly before eating, particularly crustaceans and bivalves such as shrimps, crabs, oysters and clams;
- Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet;
- Eat only thoroughly cooked food and food from sealed packs or cans;
- Avoid cold dishes such as salad and ice-cream;
- Drink only boiled water, canned or bottled drinks, pasteurized milk or dairy products;
- Do not add ice to drinks and do not drink fresh fruit juice that has been prepared beforehand;
- Do not patronize illegal food hawkers;
- Wash fruit thoroughly before eating and do not eat fruit that has already been peeled or cut open; and
- Follow proper water purification methods if necessary.
Indonesia: Volcanic Eruption [Update]
In Indonesia, the latest Merapi Volcano eruption in central Java, which began on 4 November, pushed the death toll more than 100 and burned village up to 9 miles from the crater.
(Source: Relief Web 5 November 2010)
Philippines: Black Travel Alert
Following the hostage taking incident in the Philippines which had caused casualties, the Hong Kong SAR Government has raised the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for the Philippines to Black. Hong Kong residents are urged to avoid all travel to the Philippines. Those already there should attend to their personal safety and stay alert.
For more information, please visit the OTA webpage.
(Source: Security Bureau, Government of Hong Kong SAR 20 September 2010)
In Delhi, India, only 22 cases of Dengue Fever cases were recorded on 2 November, and the number of dengue cases started showing a downward trend as compared to an average of 70 cases per day in the previous week. The total number of patients has reached 5 605 so far this year.
As of 23 October, over 100 dengue cases were reported in Uttar Pradesh state in the last 2 days and the total number of cases is 924 with 6 deaths so far this year. Of which, 282 cases have been confirmed in its capital city, Lucknow.
(Source: ProMED-mail 1 November 2010 and The Times of India 3 November 2010)
(Editor's notes: Travellers to the affected areas should take the precautionary measures against mosquito bite by wearing long sleeved clothing and trousers, applying insect repellents containing DEET on the exposed parts of the body, and using mosquito screens or nets in rooms which are not air-conditioned. Travellers returning from these areas and develop symptoms of the disease should seek medical consultation immediately.)
In Sri Lanka, a total of 32 292 cases of Dengue Fever with 229 deaths have been reported so far this year. The most affected areas included Colombo, Gampaha, Jaffna and Ratnapura.
(Source: Ministry of Health care and Nutrition, Sri Lanka 4 November 2010)
Thailand: Dengue Fever [Update]
As of 30 October 2010, the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand reported a total of 103 300 Dengue Fever cases with 137 deaths nationwide. Most cases were reported from Bangkok.
(Source: Ministry of Public Health, Thailand 3 November 2010 )
Taiwan has confirmed 142 more cases of Dengue Fever in the recent week, bringing the total number of cases to 1 219 so far this year.
(Source: Centres for Disease Control, Taiwan 2 November 2010)
India: Japanese Encephalitis [Update]
In India, the death toll from Japanese Encephalitis has reached 469 in eastern Uttar Pradesh so far this year, following the death of 2 more persons.
(Source: ProMED-mail 5 November 2010)
India: Chikungunya Fever [Update]
In India, one case of Chikungunya Fever was confirmed in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh state on 29 October 2010. This is the first case of the disease in the state in last 2 years.
(Source: ProMED-mail 3 November 2010)
Nicaragua and Honduras: Leptospirosis [Update]
On 10 October 2010, the Ministry of Health of Nicaragua declared a health emergency following an increase in cases of Leptospirosis. Since the beginning of the outbreak on 24 Sep 2010, a total of 466 leptospirosis cases with 16 deaths have been confirmed. The majority of cases have been reported in the cities of Leon and Chinandega.
Honduras has also been affected by this outbreak of leptospirosis. A total of 43 confirmed cases, 202 suspected cases with 3 deaths have been reported in the Choluteca Department, on the border with Nicaragua.
(Source: National Travel Health Network and Centre, UK 2 November 2010)
In Zimbabwe, the outbreak of Measles which began last year continued to affect the country. Up to now, 11 975 suspected cases with 631 deaths were reported. The capital, Harare was seriously affected with about 3 000 cases reported.
(Source: ProMED-mail 7 November 2010)
Republic of the Congo: Poliomyelitis [Update]
An acute outbreak of Poliomyelitis is occurring in Republic of the Congo, with 120 cases of acute flaccid paralysis and 58 deaths. The first case occurred in early October. In addition, 2 cases were confirmed to have been caused by wild poliovirus type 1 and laboratory testing continues. Nearly all cases have been reported from the port city of Pointe Noire.
(Source: World Health Organization 4 November 2010)