Current Travel Health News

In Canada, a fatal case of Hantavirus infection was reported from British Columbia in January this year.

(Source: ProMED-mail 31January 2013)

In Central Province, Zambia, an outbreak of Cholera continued to affect Kapiri Mposhi and Kabwe districts. As of 29 January 2013, 55 cases had been reported in the districts since the outbreak began in September last year.

In Uganda, an outbreak of Cholera affecting 28 people was reported in several villages in Nebbi District in January this year.

In Rukwa Region, Tanzania, an outbreak of Cholera affecting 300 people with 9 deaths was reported in Sumbawanga District.

(Source: ProMED-mail 31January 2013)

In Cambodia, 2 more fatal human cases of H5N1 Avian Influenza infection were reported. A 17-month-old girl from Kampong Speu province and a 9-year-old girl from Kampot province were affected.

(Source: Western Pacific Region, WHO 29 January 2013)

Two suspected and one confirmed cases of Hantavirus infection were reported in La Paz, Bolivia. Of which, two died of the infection.

(Source: ProMED-mail 29 January 2012)

Health authorities in the Oshikoto Region, Namibia reported two new fatal cases of Anthrax infection. A woman and her 20-year-old son were affected after consuming the meat of affected animals. Other 22 cases were reported and involved people who touched infected meat or the skin of the animals.

(Source: ProMED-mail 28 & 29 January 2012)

A suspected case of Hantavirus infection presented as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome was reported in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A 32-year-old man developed symptoms on 23 January 2013 and died on 24 January 2013.

(Source: ProMED-mail 26 January 2012)

Heavy rain as a result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald has led to severe flooding in parts of Queensland and New South Wales in Australia.

(Source: Safe Travel New Zealand 29 January 2013)

In Bangladesh, 7 new fatal cases of Nipah encephalitis were reported in the country.

[Editor's note: Nipah virus can be transmitted to humans from animals or directly from human-to-human. Infected people initially develop influenza-like symptoms of fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and sore throat. In severe cases, complications may happen such as encephalitis. There is no treatment or vaccine available.]

(Source: ProMED-mail 28 January 2013)

An outbreak of Lassa Fever was detected in Nasarawa State, Nigeria and 3 persons were affected.

(Source: ProMED-mail 28 January 2013)

In USA, a total of 16 cases of Salmonella infection were reported across 5 states. Investigation revealed that 7 persons had history of consumption of raw ground beef.

(Source: Centres for Disease Control and Prevention 28 January 2013)

In Cambodia, outbreak of H5N1 Avian Influenza which has killed 2304 birds since January 2012 was detected.

(Source: World Organisation for Animal Health 27 January 2013)