Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (18 January 2004)
In South America, Brazil reported over 324,000 cases of Dengue in 2003. This is a reduction of 59% figures in 2002. The Northeast region notified the largest number of cases followed by the Southeast region. Dengue types 1, 2 and 3 have been circulating.
At the same time, 618 cases of Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever have been reported in 2003, which is about a quarter of the number of Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever cases in 2002. The state of Ceara reported the highest number of cases, followed by Amazonas and Espirito Santo.
(Source: ProMED-mail 17 January 2004)
[Editor Note: Travellers to South Americas 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.]
Hong Kong SAR, ex-Philippines: Dengue Fever, imported
One imported cases of Dengue Fever were confirmed by the Department of Health, making a total of 4 imported cases so far.
The patient was a domestic helper who travelled alone to Philippines in late-December for thirteen days. She complained of fever, chills, myalgia and arthralgia one day after returning to Hong Kong. She was later confirmed to have Dengue Fever. She recalled mosquito bites in Philippines.
(Source: Department of Health, HKSAR 16 January 2004)
[Editor Note: Travellers to South Asia and 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.]
Avian Influenza (H5N1) in humans and poultry have been reported in Vietnam in January. Poultry farms in two southern provinces were affected. Four deaths from respiratory disease in Hanoi were confirmed to have contracted the virus.
Similar outbreaks occurred in various poultry farms in South Korea and Japan since December 2003. No human cases of infection with the virus have been reported in either of these outbreaks.
Laboratory test shows that the recent isolated H5N1 variant is mutating rapidly but not yet acquired the genetic material from human influenza virus, meaning that direct person to person transmission is still less likely.
World Health Organization believes that the current outbreak can be controlled by close surveillance for animal infection and culling of infected poultries.
(Source: World Health Organization 16 January 2004)
[Editor Note: Travellers should avoid contact with live poultry and birds and wash hand thoroughly with soap and water after handling live poultry and birds. They should observe good personal hygiene and maintain good body resistance.]
Two previously reported suspect cases in Guangzhou were classified by the Mainland health authorities as confirmed SARS cases, making a total of 3 cases since December last year.
The first two patients have recovered already and the third case remaining in hospital is in stable condition. Close contacts of all three cases reportedly did not have fever.
According to World Health Organization, travel advisory will not be posed against travel to Guangdong at the present moment.
Yet, we are mindful of the large volume of population flow between Guangdong and Hong Kong especially during Chinese New Year. Travellers should be vigilance against SARS and should :
· Adopt good personal and environmental hygiene.
· Put on a mask if suffering from respiratory disease.
· Fill in the Health Declaration form and have temperature check when crossing the borders.
· Consult doctor immediately if developing symptoms of respiratory disease after travelling to Guangdong.
· Avoid travelling if feeling sick or having fever.