Current Travel Health News

More than 2,000 people were killed in the devastating earthquake that hit Yushu County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province, on April 14.  Qinghai is located in the northeastern part of the Tibetan Plateau with an average elevation of over 3 000 meters above sea level, and the affected Yushi county is at an altitude of 3,600 to 4,300 meters.  Travellers visiting Qinghai should beware of the environmental health risks, including High Altitude Syndrome and Extreme Weather Conditions.  Travellers are also at risk of contracting infectious diseases, such as zoonotic diseases (e.g. Plague and Rabies), and food & water borne diseases (e.g. Traveller’s Diarrhoea).  Therefore travellers should always practice good personal and food hygiene, use repellent against fleas, and stay away from wild and stray animals.  Road traffic and personal safety should also be observed.

As of Apr 4, 2010, worldwide more than 213 countries and overseas territories/communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 (2009), including over 17 700 deaths.

(Source: Swine and Seasonal Flu Monitor, Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong 15 April 2010)

As of March this year, a total of 77 756 cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease including 40 deaths were reported in the Mainland. Outbreaks were reported in southern China's Guangxi Autonomous Region as well as Guangdong, Henan, Hebei and Shandong provinces.

In the USA, 3 animal cases of Plague were reported in New Mexico so far this year.

(Source: ProMED-mail 18 April 2010)

Up to now, 2 000 cases of Dengue Fever with at least 14 deaths were reported in Dominican Republic.

(Source: ProMED-mail 12 April 2010)

In Brunei Darussalam, 53 cases of Dengue Fever were reported in the country so far this year. Only 38 cases were recorded last year.

(Source: ProMED-mail 12 April 2010)

Up to now, Paraguay had recorded a total of 5 000 suspected cases of Dengue Fever in the capital Asuncion. Out of which, 1 828 cases had been confirmed with 5 deaths.

(Source: ProMED-mail 12 April 2010)

In South Africa, an outbreak of Rift Valley Fever affecting 111 people was reported in the country. Out of which, there were 9 deaths, including 5 from the Free State and 4 from the Northern Cape.

(Source: Promed 15 April 2010)