Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (15 August 2004)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States (US) reported that there were 495 cases of infection with West Nile virus with ten deaths occurred in the US this year. The states that reported cases included Arizona and California.
Travellers should take anti-mosquito measures precautions to avoid mosquito bites and minimize the risk of acquiring West Nile virus infection or other mosquito-borne diseases.
(Source: CDC, USA 10/8/04)
West Nile virus, suspected: Japan Ex USA
A 42-year old woman from Okinawa, Japan, is suspected of having contracted West Nile virus infection. During her return flight from the United States on 31 July, she developed fever, headache, vomiting and drowsiness. She was admitted but has been discharged from hospital. Her husband and son are both well. If the woman is tested positive for West Nile virus, she would be Japan's first case of West Nile virus infection.
(Source: ProMED mail 6/8/2004)
West Nile virus, suspected: Canada (Ontario)
The first probable case of West Nile virus infection in Canada this year was reported on 6 August. A 45-year-old woman from Windsor, Ontario, was tested positive for the West Nile virus. She is currently suffering from encephalitis and has been admitted to hospital since 2 August. She is in stable condition.
(Source: ProMED mail 6/8/2004)
Health officials in nearby Koronadal City in South Cotabato declared an outbreak of rabies that killed at least 5 persons since June 2004. A survey by the Rabies Control Unit of the City Health Office, since 1 July revealed that there were at least 26 persons found positive with rabies. These 26 patients are still undergoing anti-rabies treatment.
(Source: ProMED mail 8/8/2004)
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N2): South Africa
An outbreak of avian influenza H5N2 was detected in ostriches in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa in early August 2004. The disease is confined to 2 ostrich farms in the Blue Crane Municipal District, a 30 km-radius quarantine area has been declared to contain and control the disease.
(Source: ProMED mail 8/8/2004)
[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 should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after contact. They should also observe good food hygiene and only consume fully cooked poultry products and eggs.]
Between May 22 and July 30, a total of 625 cases and 22 deaths from acute jaundice syndrome were reported from health clinics in the Greater Darfur region in Sudan. Hepatitis E virus was confirmed in 23 samples tested at the laboratory in Cairo, Egypt. Suspected hepatitis cases have also been reported from East, North and West Darfur but the highest incidence to date has been recorded in a refugee camp, West Darfur.
(Source: ProMED mail 10/8/2004)
Singapore is experiencing a resurgence of dengue fever. The number of dengue cases per week peaked at 312 last week. This is the highest this year. To date the average number of cases per week this year is 114 compared to 90.3 for the whole year of 2003.
(Source: National Environment Agency, Singapore 11/8/2004)
The World Health Organization confirmed that there were three recent deaths from influenza-like illness in Viet Nam, caused by avian influenza virus belonging to the H5 subtype. One of them was confirmed to be infected by H5N1 strain of avian influenza. Further testing is needed to determine whether the others were also infected by the same strain. There are 35 human cases of avian influenza caused by H5N1 strain with 24 deaths in Viet Nam and Thailand this year.
(Source: WHO 13/8/2004)