Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (4 July 2004)
Two Taiwan residents contracted Myiasis separately, one after visiting Peru, the other Chile and Argentina.
Myiasis affects human, cow, sheep and horse. The larvae grows underneath the skin forming a nodule or borrow tracks, creating severe pain and discomfort. After 5 to 10 weeks of development, mature larva wriggles out of the nodule and form a pupa.
(Source: Chinatimes 18/6/04)
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever: Pakistan
In the past few days, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus claimed 5 people including a baby in a village of Baluchistan. Epidemic activities were also reported in the areas near the Pakistan-Afghan border.
(Source: ProMED-mail 21/6/04)
Outbreaks of diarrhoea diseases strike one third of the territories of Nepal during the past 2 months. A total of 5,777 cases was reported in the most affected 20 districts, including the capital Kathmandu, with 50 deaths.
Outbreaks of diarrhoea diseases were most likely to be reported each year from April to September. Poor water, food and environmental hygiene were attributed to be the cause of the outbreaks.
(Source: Xinhua News Agency 22/6/04)
A confirmed case of cholera O1 serotype Inaba was reported to the Brussels health authority on 6 Jun. The patient left India on 2 Jun for a tour of Europe.
(Source: ProMED-mail 27/6/04)
Growing number of gastroenteritis caused by cholera and amoebic dysentery were reported in several towns of Pangasinan province in the Philippines.
(Source: ProMED-mail 27/6/04)
Cholera, imported: Hong Kong SAR ex-Philippines
One imported case of cholera was reported by the Department of Health on 28 June 2004. This is the fourth confirmed case this year.
The patient travelled to Manila in mid-May for three days. He had taken raw tuna and sea urchin and complained of watery diarrhea on the same day after returning to Hong Kong. He was admitted to hospital and his stool was confirmed to be positive for Vibrio cholerae 01 Inaba and Vibrio cholerae 01 Ogawa. He is now in stable condition.
His family and home contacts were all asymptomatic.
(Source: Department of Health, HKSAR 28/6/04)
Japanese encephalitis: Vietnam
Health officials of Vietnam reported that 198 patients were taken to hospital since May, 30% have been diagnosed to be contracted with Japanese encephalitis. In the remaining cases, the disease-causing virus has yet to be identified. 11 cases have been reported dead. The number of patients admitted in June is double that in May. The Central region is the most serious affected area.
(Source: Vietnam television news 25/6/04)
Officials in South Cotabato province of the Philippines has reported an outbreak of malaria, which has afflicted at least 122 people in 5 municipalities, with Lake Sebu being hit hardest. Officials are currently conducting massive malaria eradication activities in the affected areas.
(Source: ProMED-mail 29/6/04)
Dengue fever: Bangladesh (Dhaka)
Dengue fever has made a comeback in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, for the fifth consecutive year. In three days of June, 68 people affected with the virus were admitted to different city hospitals. Most of the dengue cases are classic dengue fever, but some of the cases have symptoms of dengue haemorrhagic fever.
(Source: ProMED-mail 24/6/04)
Dengue fever: Viet Nam [update-2]
About 18000 cases of dengue fever were reported in Vietnam so far this year, an increase of 80% compared with same period last year. 33 had died. More than 90% of the infections were children under 15 years old. Health authorities are taking urgent measures to curb the disease.
(Source: ProMED-mail 23/6/04)
Mosquito-borne diseases, imported: Taiwan
This year to 23 June, Taiwan has reported 31 cases of imported dengue fever with 1 case of dengue hemorrhagic fever, all contracted from South-East Asia.
As for malaria, 13 cases have been imported with 3 from Indonesia (1 malignant malaria and 2 tertian malaria) and others from Africa and Oceania.
Travellers to dengue infected areas are advised to take anti-mosquito measures. Those travelling to malaria endemic areas are advised to take anti-malarials in addition, and avoid going outdoors at night.
(Source: Department of Health, Taiwan 25/6/04)
Travel Health Tips for Summer Holidays
The summer holidays season is looming, and many will travel abroad. Majority will travel to developing regions, where the risk of contracting infectious diseases is increased. The illnesses can be prevented through better understanding and preparation on travel related health risks. Travellers are advised to visit a travel health-care provider at least 4 weeks before their journey for travel health consultation and vaccination.
During the trip, travelers are reminded of the following measures to stay healthy:
Food and personal hygiene
· Wash hands before eating and after going to toilets.
· Take only thoroughly cooked food. Avoid partially cooked seafood including shellfish.
· Drink only boiled water, or drinks bottled by reputable companies, and pasterurised milk or dairy products.
· Avoid drinks prepared by ice of unknown origin.
· Avoid peeled fruits and vegetables not thoroughly cleaned.
· Do not patronize street-side unlicensed food hawkers.
Mosquito-borne diseases
· Avoid being outdoors during mosquito feeding times (between dusk and dawn for malaria, Japanese encephalitis; daytime for dengue fever, yellow fever).
· While outdoors, wear long-sleeved clothing to cover the arms , legs, and particularly the ankles.
· Apply insect repellent to exposed skin. Choose one containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-3-benzamide). Repeated application may be required. Concentration of ‘DEET’ should not exceed 35% for adult and 10% for children.
· Stay in air-conditioned rooms or those protected by screens or nets.
Upper respiratory track infection
· Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene.
· Wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions e.g. after sneezing.
· Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly.
· Avoid crowded public places where the ventilation is not good.
Sexually transmitted diseases
· Beware of the dangers of casual sex while abroad.
· A single exposure is sufficient to transmit the HIV virus (which causes AIDS) or other sexually transmitted diseases if your sexual partner happens to be a carrier.
· Using condoms correctly provides some protection from getting those sexually transmitted diseases but the golden rule is to refrain from promiscuity and never have sex with strangers.
Upon returning, travellers should consult a doctor early if have fever and other illnesses. Remember to tell your doctor where you have been, including transit countries.
(Hong Kong Travellers Health Service, Port Health Office 29/6/04)