Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (7 March 2004)
Avian Influenza A/H5: Asia [Update-5]
Outbreaks of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza have continued to affect Asian countries including Japan. However, no new case of avian flu has been reported in China consecutively for 19 days and four-fifths of the affected sites have been removed from the list of affected areas.
So far, human cases are only reported in Vietnam and Thailand. As of March 5, there have been 22 human cases with 15 deaths in Vietnam and 10 human cases with 7 deaths in Thailand. No human to human transmission has been reported.
(Source: World Health Organization 5/3/0, Xinhuanet 7/3/04)
[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.]
As of 3 March this year, a total of 33 suspected yellow fever cases including 8 deaths, were reported from five counties in Liberia.
Emergency mass immunization campaigns are being implemented in the countries affected.
(Source: World Health Organization 4/3/04)
Dengue fever: Indonesia [update-3]
Up to 3 March this year, the Ministry of Health of Indonesia has reported about 24,000 dengue cases, including 367 deaths. Den-3 virus is the most common serotype circulating, although all 4 secotypes are present.
The majority of these cases are from the provinces in Java, South Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, Bali, East and West Nusa Tenggara and Aceh.
(Source: World Health Organization 5/3/04)
[Editor Note: Compared with the last report on 29 Feb 04, the number of cases has increased by another 8,000 plus and the number of deaths by 100.
Dengue is endemic in Southeast Asia throughout the year. Travellers should adopt anti-mosquito measures when visiting the affected areas and should consult for medical advice early if suffering a fever during or after the trip.]
Dengue fever, imported: Hong Kong SAR ex-Indonesia
One more case of dengue fever was confirmed by the Department of Health, making a total of 9 cases so far.
The patient traveled to Jakarta in mid February for 8 days. He complained of fever, headache, muscle pain, joint pain and skin rash one day after return. He was hospitalized and his present condition was stable.
(Source: Department of Health, HKSAR 03/03/04)