Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (19 December 2004)
Since October, 6 Canadian, 2 Americans and 7 European travellers who had travelled to the Dominican Republic (DR) have been confirmed to have malaria, in which the Canadian cases were malignant malaria.
The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends anti-malarial prophylaxis and use of personal protective measures against mosquito bites for travellers who will be travelling to rural areas of the DR or to resort areas in its southeastern province of La Altagracia.
(Source: Health Canada 8/12/04)
Americas: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome [update]
In USA, the New Mexico State Health Department reported a case of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in Santa Fe County while a woman from McKinley County died from the infection earlier this autumn. Two other patients in January and July this year recovered.
In Canada, a man in Lloydminster, Alberta was infected. He was the first case of HPS in Alberta in nearly 2 years. Mouse population in the province was high this year and residents had been called to increase their alertness against hantavirus infection.
(Source: ProMED-Mail 13/12/04)
In the capital, Kinshasa, of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 13,400 cases of typhoid fever were identified with 134 deaths till mid December. This typhoid epidemic was caused by dirty water in the city.
(Source: WHO 15/12/04)
Africa: Sleeping sickness (African Trypanosomiasis)
In Katakwi district of Uganda, at least 9 people were killed and 27 adults had been admitted to hospital in an outbreak of sleeping sickness.
In northern Zaire province of Angola, at least 57 cases of sleeping sickness were reported from October to November 2004.
(Source: ProMED-mail 13 & 14/12/04)
[Editor Note: Sleeping sickness is transmitted through tse-tse fly bite. Travellers should take anti-insect measures to prevent from infection.]
World Health Organization officials confirmed the number of polio-induced paralysis in Sudan has soared to 54. Health experts believed there was a high probability that more than 10,000 Sudanese had been infected. Several cases of polio in Sudan had been traced back to Nigeria which was believed to be the epicenter of the virus in Africa.
(Source: ProMED-mail 16/12/04)
Kenya (Mombasa): O'nyong-nyong fever
Health authorities in the coastal town of Mombasa are investigating whether a fever spreading there was O'nyong-nyong fever. They had issued a health alert.
The disease is spread by the Anopheles mosquito. Victims may experience high fever, severe joint pain, headaches, swollen lymph glands, skin rash, eye pain and reddening with no discharge, chest pains, and general malaise. It takes about 2 weeks to recover from acute symptoms. No serious long-term effects have ever been reported following infection. However, the infection could cause miscarriage in pregnant women. There is no specific treatment other than symptomatic relief and rest. Prevention is by avoiding mosquito bites.
(Source: ProMED-mail 14/12/04)
Jordan health officials said an outbreak of typhoid fever occurred since October. One Pakistani woman died of typhoid fever and another 79 people were infected.
In the south-western part of Tajikistan, an outbreak of typhoid fever was noted. More than 50 patients, including 40 children, were hospitalized for treatment.
(Source: Central News Agency 15 & 16/12/04)
Indonesia (Pupua): Dengue fever [update]
Outbreak of dengue fever which recently struck many areas on the island of Java, had now broken out in Papua province, with 7 people being treated at local hospitals since last month.
(Source: The Jakarta Post 16/12/04)
Singapore: Dengue fever [update-5]
The number of dengue fever cases increased from 4,788 in 2003 to 8,597 this year (as of 11 December 2004). It was the highest number of dengue fever cases recorded in Singapore over the last 10 years.
To urge homeowners to play a part in keeping their neighbourhood mosquito-free, homeowners found breeding for the first time will be fined instead of a warning letter from 1 February 2005.
(Source: National Environment Agency, Singapore 17/12/04)
Taiwan: Dengue fever [update-15]
Up to 27 November, Taiwan health authority reported 373 confirmed cases of dengue fever. Of the 269 local cases in Pingdong County, 253 occurred in Pingdong City.
(Source: Department of Health, Taiwan, 14/12/04)
Southeast Asia: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza [update-17]
Thai government announced that a recent survey of migratory and indigenous birds in four central provinces had shown six species including pigeon infected with avian influenza. Infected poultry had previously been discovered in such provinces. Officials said that the transfer of avian flu virus from birds to human had not yet been concluded.
(Source: MCOT 14/12/04)
USA (Colorado): Plague [update]
A 66-year-old man from Pueblo died last week from bubonic plague. This was the 1st plague-related death in Colorado since 1999 and the 3rd case in 2004. The man probably was infected from a sick rabbit. The public is advised to avoid contact with sick rodents and rabbits.
In Colorado, plague-infected animals are most likely to be found in the foothills and mountains. Most human cases occur in the summer and early fall months. This year, an increase of plague activity around the state has been noted, with at least 20 cats being infected.
(Source: ProMED-mail 11/12/04)
Travel Health Advisory for Christmas holiday
Christmas holiday is coming and many people will travel out of Hong Kong. This Service would like to remind the public and the travel industry of the health risks associated with travel, so as to enable travellers enjoying a safe and healthy trip.
Before the Trip
Prevention starts before the trip. Precautionary measures include:
- Endeavour to understand more the health risks of your destinations and their preventive measures;
- Get vaccinated if indicated. As some vaccines may not become effective immediately, one should allow enough time for vaccination;
- Bring along preventive medications and paraphernalia.
During the Trip
Cholera, typhoid and hepatitis A are common serious food-borne diseases. Travellers to tropical areas like Southeast Asia, South Asia should therefore:
- Avoid not to consume under-cooked food;
- Drink bottled water and avoid iced drinks;
- Do not patronize roadside hawkers.
This year, several Asian countries were affected by avian influenza and human cases were noted in Thailand and Vietnam as well. Precautions to prevent respiratory tract infection should be taken when travelling to these areas. Travellers should avoid visiting farms or parks with wild birds. In addition, travellers should avoid touching any birds, poultry or their droppings and wash hands immediately if contact with birds or poultry.
There were 29 imported cases of dengue fever so far this year in Hong Kong. All these cases can be prevented. Dengue fever is transmitted through mosquito bites and is prevalent in Southeast Asia and South Asia all the year round. Other mosquito-borne diseases, like malaria, yellow fever, are prevalent especially in Latin America and Africa. Travellers should:
- Be aware of the risk of various mosquito-borne diseases at their destinations;
- Take active measures to prevent mosquito bites;
- If necessary, receive vaccination or preventive medications. Consult your family doctor or travel health practitioner for advice.
Beware of accidents:
- Choose reputable travel agencies when joining long distance coach tours;
- Avoid boarding over-crowded or over-used boats or vehicles;
- For self-drive, do maintain vigilance especially when driving a left-hand-drive vehicle in unfamiliar environment;
- Be careful when participating in high risk activities like white-water rafting, skiing;
Other health risks to note are:
- In areas endemic of rabies, avoid contact with wild animals or domestic pets.
- In areas with cold climate, prepare enough warm clothing and avoid exhaustion to minimize the risk of getting upper respiratory tract infection or influenza.
- Unsafe sex. Using condom correctly can lower the chance of getting sexually transmitted diseases. However, the best way to lower the chance is to avoid promiscuity and sex with strangers.
After the Trip
On return, travellers should be aware that there is a chance that they might bring back infections and spread to the community. To minimize the risk, please:
- Seek medical advice if you have fever, diarrhoea, cough or rash after the trip;
- Remember to inform doctor your recent travel history.
Wishing all travellers a happy and healthy trip!