Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (3 October 2004)
In Chad, a total of 3,910 cases of cholera and 164 deaths have been reported from June to August. The outbreak started in Massaguet north of capital N'Djamena, and from there it spread to Lac and Kanem provinces as well as to the capital.
At least 90 people have been killed and over 700 new cases reported in a cholera outbreak in Guinea. The epidemic started in June in the western Boke and southwestern Kindia regions.
(Source: ProMED-mail 1/10/04)
A total of 6861 cases and 87 deaths of suspected hepatitis E were reported in the Greater Darfur region in the past 4 months. The total number of reported cases per week continues to increase. West Darfur remains the most affected area.
(Source: World Health Organisation 29/9/04)
Hepatitis outbreak: Central Asia
An outbreak of acute viral hepatitis has occurred in Osh province in southern Kyrgyzstan. About 1500 people were infected with various forms of hepatitis over the past 8 months.Around 95% were infected with hepatitis A, the rest were hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Among them 1200 were children under 14. The number of infected people is increasing in rural areas.
Meanwhile, in central Karaganda province of Kazakhstan, 300 people were infected with viral hepatitis over the past month.
(Source: ProMED-mail 29/9/04)
An outbreak of cholera occurred in Mandalay following massive flooding in central Myanmar in late July. About 70 cases were detected during the first week of September, and several people died.
(Source : ProMED-mail 1/10/04)
Redevelopment in central Mumbai and western suburbs in Bandra makes them the malarial hotspots in India.
Construction activities there is leading to a spurt in the number of malarial cases and numerous cases have been reported in the last few days, among them are cases of the more virulent malignant malaria.
The reported malaria cases are mainly residents living in and around areas that are having heavy construction works.
(Source: ProMED-mail 2/10/04)
Dengue Fever: Taiwan [update-6]
During the past week, a total of 18 cases of dengue fever has been confirmed in Taiwan. One case was imported.
Of the 17 new local cases, 14 occurred in Pingdong county, while 3 occurred in Kaohsiung city.
(Source: Department of Health, Taiwan 30/9/04)
[Editor Note: The dengue situation in Taiwan seems to have worsened. Travellers to southern Taiwan should adopt anti-mosquito measures.]
Dengue Fever, imported: Hong Kong
The Department of Health confirmed two imported cases of dengue fever in September, making a total number of 25 cases (all imported) so far this year.
One case is imported from Bangladesh and the other one is from Singapore. They had fever, muscle pain and skin rash after returning from their trips. Both of them were hospitalised and are now fully recovered.
(Source: Department of Health, HKSAR 30/9/04)
Avian Influenza: Asia [update-10]
Thailand reported that there was avian influenza affecting poultry and birds in 35 out of her 76 provinces since July 2004. New outbreaks occurred in northeastern provinces of Rio Et and Chaiyaphum, northern province of Uttaradit and southern province of Yala near the border of Malaysia.
In relation to the finding of possible human-to-human transmission of avian influenza virus, Thailand had stepped up the measures against avian influenza. More than 900,000 volunteers were recruited to conduct a house-to-house survey and check the condition of both humans and poultry.
(Source: ProMED-mail 2/10/04)
[Editor Note: Travellers to countries with avian influenza should observe good personal and environmental hygiene. For more information on prevention of avian influenza, please refer to Prevention of Avian Flu - Health Tips for Travellers.]