Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (21 June 2010)
South Africa: Rift Valley Fever
Situation update
As of 18 June 2010, the Department of Health of South Africa has confirmed a total of 221 human cases of Rift Valley Fever and 24 deaths, in Free State, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, North West, and Western Cape Provinces. The majority of human infections occur in persons involved in the livestock industry and result from contact with the blood or tissues of infected animals. A small number of human infections have also resulted from the bites of infected mosquitoes. Moreover, some cases become infected by ingesting the unpasteurized milk of infected animals.
(Source: National Institute for Communicable Diseases 18 June 2010)
The FIFA World Cup is now taking place in South Africa until 11 July 2010. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued health advice for travellers to South Africa as follows:
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Before travelling, check with your doctor or Travel Health Centre for pre-travel health advice, vaccinations, and prophylactic medication.
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During the trip, travellers should be aware of the diseases, such as Malaria, Rift Valley Fever, Travellers' Diarrhoea, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Rabies.
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Protect yourself against mosquito and other insects bites by applying insect repellents containing DEET, and wearing light-coloured and long sleeved clothing and trousers.
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Avoid contact with animals, particularly with their tissues or blood (especially those visiting farms or games reserves).
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Avoid drinking unpasteurized milk and eating raw meat.
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Be mindful of food hygiene and water safety. Wash your hands before eating and after going to the toilet.
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Practice safe sex.
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Bring proper warm clothing with you as it is going to be winter in South Africa.
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Road traffic and personal safety should be observed.
For more information, please visit the following website: http://www.who.int/ith/updates/20100421/en/index.html
(Source: World Health Organization 21 May 2010)
Worldwide: Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 2009
As of 13 June, 2010, worldwide more than 214 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 18 172 deaths.
For more information, please visit WHO's website.
(Source: World Health Organization 18 June 2010)
Bangladesh: Avian Influenza, poultry
In Bangladesh, an outbreak of H5N1 Avian Influenza which killed 332 birds was reported in a farm in Rajshahi. The remaining 5 289 birds were culled.
(Source: World Organisation for Animal Health 17 June 2010)
Thailand reported that Dengue Fever had infected 17 587 people and claimed 20 lives nationwide in the past 5 months, with the infection number increasing by 58 per cent when compared with the same period last year.
(Source: ProMED-mail 16 June 2010)
In Cambodia, 1 111 cases of Dengue Fever with 7 deaths have been reported in the country so far this year.
(Source: ProMED-mail 18 June 2010)
As of 11 June 2010, Brazil reported a total of 121 270 Dengue Fever cases with 98 deaths in Sao Paulo state, the worst in its history, compared with 92 345 cases in the same period in 2007, until then, the worst epidemic year.
(Source: ProMED-mail 16 June 2010)
Vietnam: Japanese Encephalitis
Vietnam reported that 7 people have died of Japanese Encephalitis in the country in the last month. A total of 120 people have been infected so far in 15 provinces and cities.
(Source: ProMED-mail 17 June 2010)
In the Mainland, one fatal human case of Plague was reported in Gansu Province. The victim died after hunting and eating an infected marmot.
(Source: ProMED-mail 18 June 2010)
Indonesia has reported a new fatal case of human Rabies in Bali. The victim was a 57-year-old man died on 12 Jun 2010. He was bitten two months ago when a group of stray dogs attacked his puppy. As of 24 May 2010 the rabies death toll had risen to 57.
(Source: ProMED-mail 16 June 2010)
As of mid-June 2010, more than 47 907 cases of children contracted Measles with 731 deaths have been reported in eastern and southern Africa. The most recent measles outbreaks have been reported from Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. However, the worst affected country was Zimbabwe with 517 reported deaths.
(Source: ProMED-mail 19 June 2010)