Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (2 May 2004)
Over 1,400 people in Perth have been infected so far in 2004. About one third of the cases were reported in the metropolitan area, indicating that Ross River virus disease has become more urbanized. In the southwest Australia, over 750 cases had been reported by late April, most of the cases were found in Busselton and Capel. In Kimberley, Pilbara, Central Wheatbelt, the case number was also rising.
It is predicted that the cases will continue to rise as the rainy season will continue for 2 more months.
(Source: ProMED-mail 27/4/04)
[Editor Note: Ross River virus infection is transmitted by mosquito, Symptoms include fever, rash and joint pain. When visiting the affected areas in the rainy seasons, travelers should remain vigilant against mosquito and practice anti-mosquito measures.]
As of 25 April, over 28,000 cases of diarrhoea have been reported in Bangladesh, and the figure is increasing at about 400 new cases per day, almost doubling the rate in March.
Outbreaks of diarrhea caused by Rotavirus and Enterotoxigenic E. coll are common at this time of the year, and the situation will generally worsen in May and June.
(Source: ProMED-mail 29/4/04)
The diarrhea epidemic in Bagahi village of Rautahat which broke out on 23 April has affected over 100 people. News reports blamed contaminated food and water as well as rising temperatures. Shortage of necessary medicines to counter the epidemic had now been reported.
(Source: ProMED-mail 30/4/04)
Increasing number of acute diarrhea has been detected in the municipality of Sao Bento do Una, state of Pernambuco, Brazil. At least 2 cases were confirmed to be cholera.
Between 1991 and 2001, about 17,000 cases of cholera were recorded in the northeastern region.
(Source: ProMED-mail 29/4/04)
In North West province of South Africa, over 150 cholera cases, including 2 deaths, occurred in Kanana Township near Klerksdorp since March this year. The source of infection has not yet identified by the local health department, and the disease is spreading.
In Uganda, substantial numbers of cholera cases were reported this year in the central region (Kampala); Western region (Kasese, Hoima, Kabarole, Masindi, Bundibugyo); Northern region (Arua, Nebbi). The health ministry has warned the public against drinking locally prepared cold water and juices in buveera.
(Source: ProMED-mail 29/4/04)
Over 1,300 cholera cases were reported in Calcutta between 5 and 17 April. The organism responsible is Vibrio Cholera O1 Ogawa. Many of the cases were reported in Narkeldanga, Rajabazar, Tangra, and Beniapukur after consumption of contaminated piped water.
(Source: ProMED-mail 29/4/04)
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome: Beijing and Anhui [Update]
As of 2 May 2004, China Ministry of Health reported 6 confirmed cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Anhui Province (2) and Beijing (4); and 3 suspected cases of SARS in Beijing. No new case has been reported in all other provinces.
The World Health Organization considers that issue of travel advisory against China is not indicated as the situation in China is under control.
(Source: Xinhua Net 2/5/04)
In order to prevent the spread of plague, the chief sanitary inspector told the directors of anti-plague institutions located in the Russian regions bordering Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China, to prepare for possible cases of plague at border checkpoints.
The last case of plague was registered in Russia in 1979.
(Source: ProMED-mail 27/4/04)