Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (6 June 2004)
Avian Influenza Virus A (H10N7): Egypt
Health authority in Egypt and the World Health organisation reported the isolation of Avian Influenza A (H10N7) from two human specimens. They are residents of Ismaillia who recovered after presenting a fever and cough. At present, there are no public-health implications from this event.
(Source: World Health Organisation 1/6/04)
Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever: Sudan
As of end May, the health authorities of Yambio county have reported a total of 25 cases, including 6 deaths, from Ebola hemorrhagic fever in Yambio, south Sudan.
(Source: World Health Organisation 1/6/2004)
In the USA, a cluster of Salmonella Enteritidis cases have been traced to consumption of natural raw almonds. So far, 32 cases have been identified with onsets between March and April 2004. These almonds were produced in the USA and were sold across the USA under several brands and exported to many countries including China. The authority in the USA has recalled the product and notified those countries who received the almonds.
(Source: World Health Organisation 2/6/04)
Bacillary Dysentery: Sri Lanka
Diarrhea disease caused by bacillary dysentery is spreading in the country, killing 3 children. Most of the infections were reported in the capital Colombo.
(Source: ProMED-mail 5/6/04)
Bacillary Dysentery: Taiwan ex Cambodia
8 imported cases of bacillary dysentery were reported among travellers visited Cambodia during the period of 24 to 31 May 2004. Center for Disease Control (Taiwan) urged outbound travellers to remain vigilance on food and personal hygiene in host countries.
(Source: CNA 3/6/04)
The spread of diarrhea in the villages of Siraha district has killed 9 people and infected hundreds of others.
Similarly, diarrhea is spreading in the Sindhuli district as well. Over 2 dozen of cases reported, and a child has died. Two schools in the area have been closed.
(Source: ProMED-mail 5/6/04)
Since cholera broke out in Uganda in February 2004, at least 41 had died to date. Most (24) occurred in Kayunga district about 100 km from Kampala, 12 in Nebbi district, and 5 in capital Kampola. In the northwestern district of Nebbi, over 250 cases have also been reported.
(Source: ProMED-mail 5/6/04)
Niger has reported a total of 137 cases including 5 deaths of cholera between 3 May 2004 and 17 May 2004 in the region of Tillabery. Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor Ogawa has been laboratory confirmed.
This outbreak is linked to heavy rainfalls in the area, and to population movements along the Niger River for trade purposes.
(Source: WHO2/6/04)
Yellow fever: Burkina Faso [Update]
As of 1 Jun 2004, no new cases of yellow fever were reported in Bobo-Dioulasso district. However, the vector for yellow fever virus is already present in the district. As such, there is a high risk of a major urban outbreak of yellow fever in Bobo-Dioulasso in the current rainy season.
(Source: WHO 1/6/04)
Up to 22 May this year, the Venezuelan Ministry of Health reported 15,035 cases of dengue fever, triple the number for the same period of 2003. There were 926 cases of dengue haemonhagic fever with 3 deaths.
(Source: ProMED-mail 3/6/04)
Dengue Fever alert : Macao SAR
Department of Health of Macao issues an alert on dengue fever. The recent heavy rainfall and weather change has favoured growth of mosquitoes, boosting the breeding rate to 30% generally. The ovitrap index in Coloane and other island areas have reached a high of 70%.
The public has been advised to take measures to prevent dengue fever.
(Source: Department of Health, Macao SAR, 31/5/04)
Dengue Fever, imported: Hong Kong SAR, ex-Indonesia, ex-Cambodia, ex-Singapore
Three imported case of dengue fever were confirmed by the Department of Health, making a total of 14 imported cases so far.
The first victim travelled to Indonesia in early May for 3 weeks. He complained of fever, tiredness and skin rash while still in Indonesia. He was later confirmed to have dengue fever and his condition was stable. He recalled mosquito bites in Indonesia.
The second case travelled to Cambodia in mid-May for 2 weeks. She complained of fever, headache and muscle-ache 2 days prior to return to Hong Kong. She was admitted into hospital and her condition was stable.
The third case was a student who studied in a local school in Singapore. He had fever, tiredness and skin rash before return to Hong Kong. He was admitted into hospital and his condition was stable.
(Source: Department of Health HKSAR 1/6/04, 2/6/04)
[Editor Note: Travellers to South East Asia should adopt anti-mosquito measures. Should fever develop within 2 weeks on return, they should suspect dengue and seek medical attention immediately, and inform travel history.
Travellers should note that dengue fever is not confined to developing countries but also affect developed countries like Singapore.]
Malaria, imported: Hong Kong SAR, ex- Indonesia
One imported case of malaria from Indonesia was confirmed by the Department of Health.
The patient is a domestic helper and came to Hong Kong in late May. She developed symptoms 3 days after arriving Hong Kong. She was admitted into hospital and was later diagnosed to be suffering from vivax malaria.
(Source: Department of Health, HKSAR 1/6/04)
[Editor Note: Employers of domestic helper should note that Southeast Asian countries including Indonesia are malaria risk areas and heighten awareness of the disease in employees. They should suspect malaria or dengue fever in their domestic helpers if the latter have fever within one month of arrival, and facilitate them to see a doctor and inform travel history.]
Malaria, imported: Hong Kong SAR, ex-Nigeria
Two cases of imported cases of Malaria from Africa were confirmed by the Department of Health.
All two lived in Nigeria and were not related. They separately came to Hong Kong on business in May. Both happened to develop symptoms 4 days after arriving Hong Kong. They were admitted into hospital and were later diagnosed to be suffering from malignant malaria.
(Source: Department of Health, HKSAR 25/5/04, 27/5/04)
[Editor Note: Malignant malaria can be lethal, but death can be avoided if recognized early and treated. The disease can be prevented by anti-malarials. Please consult your family doctor or travel health practitioner on the proper choice of medications.
Together with the malaria case reported on 9 May 2004 Digest, there were already 3 cases from Nigeria. Travellers to Nigeria should be aware of the risk of malignant malaria and take appropriate precautions.]