Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (6 April 2004)
A case of animal rabies was discovered in the Tel Aviv region on 29 March, the animal affected was a jackal, the first case in the area since 1993.
(Source: ProMED-mail 29/3/04)
Avian influenza A/H7: Canada [update]
Canada has reported on 29 March its seventh outbreak of Avian Influenza H7 in a farm located in British Columbia.
Although the strain was not as dangerous as the Asian H5 counterpart, 2 people have so far been infected by the virus.
Both worked in infected farms. They have now fully recovered and experiencing only mild symptoms.
(Source: ProMED-mail 2/4/04)
[Editor Note: Travellers going to affected areas should avoid visit to live bird markets and poultry farms. They should avoid contact with live poultry and birds and wash hand thoroughly with soap and water after contact. They should observe good food hygiene and consume only thoroughly cooked poultry products and eggs.]
Ross River virus: Australia (Queensland)
So far this year, 953 cases have been reported in Queenslands. Most of the cases occurred in southeast region, with north and southwest region also reporting a sharp increase in cases.
The heavy rainfall in the past 4-6 weeks was blamed for the increase and prompted the local health authority to announce travel health warning for visitors, especially outdoor holiday makers in this Easter Holiday.
(Source: ProMED-mail 4/4/04)
[Editor Note: The peak season for the virus in Queensland extends from February to May. No specific treatment available.
Once infected, about a quarter to half of the people will suffer from the disease. When visiting the affected area during the
Easter, traveler should practice anti-mosquito measures and remain highly vigilance against mosquito bites.]
Dengue fever : Indonesia [update-7]
This year up to 22 March, the Ministry of Health has reported a total of 40 337 dengue cases, including 507 deaths.
Based on data received to date it appears that the outbreak may have peaked in Jakarta, Jawa Tenggah and Nusa Tenggara Timur provinces. However, in Jawa Barat, Bali, Sumatera Selatan, Lampung, Kalimantan Timur, Sulawesi Seltan and Nusa Tenggara Barat provinces, the number of monthly reported cases still appears to be on the rise.
(Source: World Health Organization 29/3/04)
The cholera epidemic along River Niger in Mali is increasing, now with 2016 reported infections, including 117 deaths. Most of the cases have been in the regions of Segou, Mopti, Timbouctou, and Sikasso. Cholera started spreading in August 2003 and now reached Sikasso, a regional town far away from the river.
In Togo, the cholera outbreak in capital Lome has so far caused 661 cases and 37 deaths.
In South Africa, a recent cholera outbreak in East Cape Maurice has affected over 100 cases with 13 deaths in Transkei. In Northwest province, 3 local cases were diagnored in Klerksdorp.
In Zambia, cholera has broken out in capital Lusaka, with 20 affected.
(Source: ProMED-mail 29/3/04, 1/4/04)
[Editor Note: Northwest province of South Africa is located east of Botswana. Popular tourist spots include Sun City, Lost City and Rustenburg Nature Reserve. Visiting travelers should remain cautious about food and personal hygiene.]
In New Delhi, 21 cases of Cholera were reported so far this year.
The incidence of cholera rises during the monsoon when dirty water collects around shallow hand-pumps. The most susceptible areas are the Central and Civil Lines zones.
(Source: ProMED-mail 3/4/04)
Cholera, imported: Hong Kong SAR ex-Thailand
One imported case of cholera was reported by the Department of Health on 3 April 2004. This is the second confirmed case this year.
The patient travelled with a tour group to Thailand in late-March for five days. He had taken oysters and complained of watery diarrhea one day after returning to Hong Kong. He was admitted to hospital and her stool was confirmed to be positive for Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor Inaba. He is now in stable condition.
His travel collaterals and home contacts were all asymptomatic.
(Source: Department of Health, HKSAR 3/4/04)
Health Advisory for Easter holidays
The Easter Holiday is coming, and many will travel outside Hong Kong. This Service would like to remind the public and the travel industry of the health risks associated with travel, so as to enable travellers enjoy a safe and healthy trip.
Prevention starts before the trip. Precautionary measures include:-
· Endeavour to understand more the health risks of your destinations and their preventive measures;
· Get vaccinated if indicated;
· Bring along preventive medications and paraphernalia;
· As some vaccines may not become effective immediately, one should allow enough time for vaccination.
There are increased activities of food-borne disease e.g. Cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A in tropical areas like Southeast Asia & South Asia. Travellers should therefore:
· Avoid not thoroughly cooked food;
· drink bottled water, avoid iced drinks;
· Do not patronize roadside hawkers.
Respiratory diseases such as Influenza and TB are the recent hop-topics. Outbound travellers should therefore:
· Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene.
· Avoid crowded public places where the ventilation is not good.
· Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly.
· Good body resistance can be achieved through balanced diet, adequate rest, avoid too much stress and smoking.
So far, human cases of avian influenza are only reported in Vietnam and Thailand. Travellers going to affected areas should avoid visit to live bird markets and poultry farms. They should avoid contact with live poultry and birds and wash hand thoroughly with soap and water after contact. They should observe good food hygiene and consume only thoroughly cooked poultry products and eggs.
Last year, a historic high of 49 Dengue Fever cases had contracted the disease abroad, more than double the cases in 2002. All the cases can be prevented. The disease is transmitted by bites of mosquitoes and is prevalent in Southeast Asia and South Asia all the year round. Other mosquito-borne diseases, like Malaria, yellow fever, are prevalent especially in Latin America and Africa. Travellers should:–
· Be aware of the risk of various mosquito-borne diseases at their destinations;
· Take active measures to prevent mosquito bites;
· if necessary, receive vaccination or preventive medications. Please consult your family doctor or a travel health practitioner for advice.
Beware of accidents. In particular, traffic accidents. During the East Holiday travellers should:
· Choose reputable companies when joining long distance coach tours;
· Do avoid boarding over-crowded or over-used boats or vehicles;
· For self-drive, do maintain vigilance especially when driving a left-hand-drive vehicle in unfamiliar environment;
· Be careful when participating in high risk activities like white-water rafting, para-gliding, diving, skiing;
· Taking care of yourself and others when playing with fire works and fire crackers.
Other health risks to note are:-
· In areas endemic of Rabies, avoid contact with wild animals or domestic pets.
· In areas with cold climate, prepare enough warm clothing and avoid exhaustion to minimize the risk of getting upper respiratory tract infection or influenza.
· Unsafe sex. Using condom correctly can lower the chance of getting sexually transmitted diseases. But still the best thing is to avoid promiscuity and never have sex with strangers.
Prevention does not end when the trip is completed. On return, travellers should be aware that there is a chance that they might bring back infections and spread to the community. To minimize the risk, please:-
· Seek medical attention if you have diarrhoea, stomach pain, fever or rash after trip;
· Remember to inform doctor your travel history so as to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment.