Travel Health News Digest (5 February 2006)

Sudan: Meningococcal Disease

In Sudan, 136 suspected cases and 15 deaths of Meningococcal Disease had been reported in January this year.

(Source: World Health Organization 3 February 2006)

Yemen: Cholera

Local authority confirmed an outbreak of Cholera in Yemen resulting in the death of 14 children and 63 other cases.

(Source: ProMED-mail 5 February 2006)

Africa: Cholera

In Mozambique, 678 cases of Cholera with 2 deaths had been diagnosed in the central province, Sofala since the start of 2006. Flooding in the region was blamed for the cause of the outbreak.

In Democratic Republic of Congo, at least 770 new cases of Cholera with 34 deaths were recorded in Katanga in January this year. Similar outbreak affecting 10 000 were recorded in 2002.

(Source: ProMED-mail 5 February 2006)

Iraq: Avian Influenza, human [update]

Laboratory of the World Health Organization in the United Kingdom had confirmed the Iraq's first case of human infection with the H5N1 Avian Influenza virus. The case occurred in a 15-year-old girl who resided in the northern part of the country, died on 17 January following a severe respiratory illness. The specimens of girl’s 39-year-old uncle, who cared for her during her illness and a 54-year-old woman, were being sent to the laboratory in the United Kingdom.

At present, an additional two people showing symptoms suggestive of H5N1 infection had been hospitalised for treatment in the Sulaimaniyah area.

(Source: World Health Organization 2 February 2006)

Indonesia: Avian Influenza, human [update]

In Indonesia, 4 more human H5N1 Avian Influenza cases was confirmed. This raised Indonesia's total confirmed human cases to 23. Of these, 16 had died.

(Source: ProMED-mail 5 February 2006)