Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (18 April 2004)
Communicable diseases: Mainland [update]
During the first quarter, more than 600,000 million cases and 976 deaths were recorded for the 27 statutorily communicable diseases in Mainland. . No case was recorded in plague, cholera, polio, diphtheria, and SARS.
The top five infectious diseases were hepatitis B, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, dysentery (bacterial and amebic), and unclassified hepatitis, accounted for 85.7% of the total cases. The top 5 killers were rabies, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, meningococcal meningitis, and infantum tetanus, accounted for 81.5% of the total mortality.
(Source: Xinhua Net 13/4/04)
Poliomyelitis: Botswana ex Nigeria
Botswana confirmed on 13 April a new case of poliomyelitis that was linked to northern Nigeria 3,000 miles away. The new case served as a reminder that the threat of polio's spread is ever-present.
Polio cases around the world have decreased by 99 % since 1988. Last year, 784 cases were reported, with 45% of cases occurring in Nigeria. This year as of 7 April, Nigeria has 48 of the world's 72 reported infections, or two-third.
(Source: ProMED-mail 15/4/04)
Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.: Russia
Last year, there were 299 cases of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Udmurtia, while this year 400 cases have already been registered.
Relatively warm winter weather and a good harvest have created the best conditions for the early reproduction of rodents. Peaks in HFRS activity are observed every 3-4 years. The past 2 years have been relatively quiet, and the expectation is that the incidence of HFRS will increase this year.
(Source: ProMED-mail 15/4/04)
In March 2004, a 5-year-old boy died from rabies in Alytus country, Lithuania. Health officials reported that between October and December 2003, 11 animal rabies cases were recorded in the city of Alytus and surrounding county.
(Source: ProMED-mail 15/4/04)
Whelk poisoning: Dongsha Islands
2 fishermen were killed after consuming toxic whelks catch in the Dongsha Islands of the South China Sea. The tetrodotoxin of the Nassarius glans is a neurotoxin and was the cause of this poisoning event. All Nassarius whelks contain toxin and should not be consumed.
(Source: Apple Daily 15/4/04)
Meningococcal Meningitis: Africa [update]
Burkina Faso announced on 6 April 2004 that an outbreak of meningitis had killed 45 people among 437 cases. The W135 strain that killed 1,500 people 2 years ago in Burkina Faso is now under control.
Central African Republic reported 43 cases and 7 deaths in Nana Boguila and Zere districts during the first quarter of this year. Neisseria meningitis serogroup A has been laboratory-confirmed in 2 samples from the Nana Bougila district.
In Chad, as of 4 April, 19 cases and 4 deaths were recorded in the Iriba district. Neisseria meningitis serogroup A has been laboratory-confirmed in 7 cases.
In Ethiopia, an outbreak of meningitis in the Amhara Regional State, northwestern Ethiopia infected 431 people and claimed 32 others.
In Uganda, meningococcal meningitis cases were reported in 12 districts, infected 40 people with 10 deaths. More than 50% of cases were reported in Gulu, Soroti and Luweero districts.
(Source: ProMED-mail 12/4/04)
Dengue Fever: Taiwan ex-Philippine
Department of Health, Taiwan so far confirmed 20 cases of dengue fever infection. The latest case was a bride from the Philippines and arrival on 2 April.
(Source: Central New Agency 13/4/04)
Dengue Fever: Indonesia [update-9]
Indonesia Health Authority said that the dengue fever epidemic is still spreading across the country, affecting over 54,000 persons and claiming 634 lives so far this year.
Health officials predicted the epidemic will continue as the rainy season is predicted to last into the month of May.
(Source: Xinhua Net 13/4/04)
In March, 2 fatal cases of yellow fever were confirmed in Brazil. The first case happened at the Paraopebas, Para state. The second case was reported in Iranduba, Amazonas state.
(Source: ProMED-mail 11/4/04)
[Editor Note: Para state and Amazonas state are located in northeast of Brazil. Travellers should receive vaccination against Yellow Fever before visiting these endemic region.]
In Democratic Republic of Congo, 1,139 cases of cholera including 51 deaths were recorded in the southeastern Katanga province. Another 258 cases and 8 deaths were reported in the central Kasai Oriental province.
In Mozambique at least 22 cases of cholera were confirmed during the past week in the southern province of Inhambane. In the Sofala province 25 lives were claimed since Jan this year. In the capital Maputo, the number of new cases decreased from 350 to 70 per day.
In South Africa, 78 cases and 2 deaths were reported since the cholera outbreak, including 8 more new cases in the Kanana township near Klerksdorp.
(Source: ProMED-mail 12/4/04)
Two imported cases of cholera were reported by the Department of Health, Guangdong province. This is the first confirmed Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor Inaba importation so far this year. Both of the patients jointed the same tourist group, their travel collaterals were all asymptomatic.
(Source: China News Service 13/4/04)