Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (11 July 2004)
Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever: Kazakhstan
Health officials of Kazakhstan reported 3 cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in southern part of the country so far this year. One of them, a male adult, died on 1 July. The disease is endemic in southern part of Kazakhstan.
(Source: ProMED 3/7/04)
[Editor Note: Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever is a viral disease transmitted by tick-bite. Travellers to endemic areas should adopt preventive measures similar to anti-mosquito measures.]
The Cholera epidemic in Mozambique which began in December 2003 has now affected 23,000 and killed 115. Most of the deaths were reported in cities of Maputo, Beira and Quelimane. Health officials claim better sanitation is the solution to the problem.
(Source: ProMED-mail 10/7/04)
Cholera, imported: Hong Kong SAR, ex-Philippines
A case of imported cholera was confirmed by the Department of Health on 9 June.
The patient has travelled to the Philippines during the incubation period. He developed diarrhoea and was admitted to hospital. His condition is stable.
(Source: Department of Health, HKSAR 9/7/04)
Malaria, imported: Hong Kong SAR, ex-Cameroon
An imported case of Malaria has been confirmed by the Department of Health.
The patient, a 10 months old girl, came from Cameroon and travelled to Thailand for 1 week before arriving Hong Kong in early July. She developed symptoms of fever, vomiting and poor feeding 3 days after arriving Hong Kong. She was admitted into hospital and was diagnosed to be suffering from malignant malaria.
(Source: Department of Health, HKSAR 9/7/04)
[Editor’s Note: Travellers to malaria endemic areas should take precautions. Travellers should adopt anti-mosquito measures and consider taking anti-malarials and seek advice from travel health practitioners.]
In Davao city in southern Philippines, 40 cases of dengue fever, including 2 deaths, had been reported in the past two days. Most of them were children.
(Source: Yahoo news 6/7/04)
An outbreak of dengue fever was reported in the Setiu district of Terengganu, Malaysia, with 96 people hospitalized. Local councils have been directed to take immediate precautionary measures.
(Source: ProMED-mail 7/7/04)
Dengue Fever : Sri Lanka [ update-6 ]
Health authorities of Sri Lanka warn that dengue fever epidemic can hit a peak in July 2004.
The total number of suspected dengue patients this year has risen to 6,743 with 48 deaths. Gampaha and Colombo are the worst affected districts. Nearly half of the new cases were reported in capital Colombo in June.
(Source: ProMED-mail 7/7/04)
Department of Health, Taiwan announced on 7 July the first local case of dengue fever was identified in Pingdong city, with evidence of possible spread. A health alert was issued.
The case has not travelled outside Taiwan. Symptoms of fever, bone ache and muscle ache developed in early June. Contact tracing revealed that his father, wife and neighbours all had fever and their blood had been drawn for laboratory investigation.
Health officials advice residents to seek medical consultation if symptoms of fever, bone ache and muscle ache appear during the coming two weeks. Doctors are asked to remain vigilant and notify health authority of cases.
(Source: Department of Health, Taiwan 11/7/04)
Dengue fever: Bangladesh [ update ]
This summer, 114 cases of dengue fever were reported so far in the capital, Dhaka. Of this, 62 cases were still under treatment. Mosquito control and awareness campaigns have launched.
(Source: ProMED-mail 30/6/04
Dengue fever, imported: HKSAR ex-Thailand, Bangladesh
An imported case of dengue fever was confirmed by the Department of Health, making a total of 15 imported cases so far.
The victim went to Thailand in mid-June for 3 days and then to Bangladesh for 2 days. He developed symptoms a week later, with muscle ache, tiredness, fever, headache, bone pain followed later by rash over body. He recalled mosquito bites while in Thailand. He has now recovered.
(Source: Department of Health, HKSAR 7/7/04)
[Editor Note: Travellers to South East Asia and South 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.]
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI): Asia
During the past fortnight, 4 countries in Asia have reported outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) affecting poultry population, according to the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health). No human cases are reported. The countries are:-
Indonesia reported several outbreaks of HPAI (H5N1) in South Sumatra province, Central Java province and regional area of Yogyakarta.
Vietnam reported an outbreak of HPAI (H5) in Bac Liêu province.
Thailand reported an outbreak of suspected HPAI (H5) in Ayadhaya province.
China reported an outbreak of HPAI (H5N1) in Anhui province. Health authority on 9 July had asked Anhui, Guangdong and Shenzhen to intensify prevention, control and quarantine measures.
(Source: World Organization for Animal Health 6/7/04, AQSIQ 9/7/04)