Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (23 May 2004)
Ministry of Health of Cote d’ Ivorie confirmed that an epidemic of meningitis broke out in the northern region near Bouna. There are now 100 confirmed cases with 31 deaths.
Due to civil strife and lack of health care staff, the spread of the disease could become worse.
(Source: Xinhua Net 4/5/04)
On 17 May, Ministry of Health of Burkina Faso reported 4,558 cases of meningococcal meningitis and 816 deaths in the outbreak since early this year.
All areas in the whole country have been affected, the most severe areas being the western cities like Nanoro and Diebougou.
Health official have alerted residents to seek medical attention at meningitis clinics if they suffer from symptoms of continuous fever, headache and vomiting.
(Source: Xinhua Net 18/5/04)
Acute hemorrhagic fever : Sudan
Over 10 cases of acute hemorrhagic fever have been reported in Yambio county, Western Equatoria province, south Sudan, where 4 people have died from the infection.
They are believed to have been infected by Ebola-like virus. Over 100 close contacts are being followed up.
(Source: World Health Organization 18/5/04, ProMED-mail 21/5/04)
[Editor Note: Ebola haemorrhagic fever spreads through contact with infected body fluids, including saliva. After an incubation period of 2 weeks, symptoms of high fever, diarrhoea, muscle pain, and bleeding from the mouth, nose and anus occur. Death may result in 24 hours. There is no cure for the disease. Only supportive treatment can be given to enhance the patient’s own immune defense. To prevent this disease, travellers are advised not to consume dead meat of monkeys, gorillas, chimpanzees and other primates when in affected area.]
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome: Beijing and Anhui [Update 2]
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared on 18 May that the latest SARS outbreak in China has been brought under control.
It has been more than 3 weeks since the last case was placed in isolation in the latest outbreak. It shows that the chain of human-to-human transmission appears to have been broken. However, WHO experts and the Chinese authorities are still working closely together to determine the exact cause of the outbreak.
The Ministry of Health, China announced on 23 May that since 22 April, the 7 confirmed SARS cases in Beijing had fully recovered and discharged from hospital. Of the 2 confirmed cases in Anhui, one died and one discharged. All other provinces have no reported cases.
(Source: World Health Organization 18/5/04, Ministry of Health, China 23/5/04)
Dengue Fever, imported: Hong Kong SAR, ex-Indonesia
One imported case of dengue fever was confirmed by the Department of Health, making a total of 11 imported cases so far.
The patient travelled to Indonesia in late April for 5 days. He complained of fever, headache, arthalgia ad skin rash for 4 days after he returned to Hong Kong. He was later confirmed to have dengue fever and now recovered. He recalled mosquito bites in Indonesia.
(Source: Department of Health, HKSAR 18/5/04)
Malaria is still spreading in Zimbabwe since the outbreak started early this year. At least 33,400 cases and 546 deaths have been reported.
The outbreak is mainly due to the heavy rain and prolonged period this year. In addition, delayed consultation by sick people also played an important role.
According to records, malaria outbreak occur in Zimbabwe every year from November to May next year.
(Source: Xinhua Net 14/5/04)
Bacillary Dysentery, imported: Hong Kong SAR, ex-Egypt
One imported case of bacillary dysentery was confirmed by the Department of Health.
The patient travelled to Egypt in early May for 9 days. He complained of bloody diahrroea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever and headache one day before leaving Egypt. He was later confirmed to have bacillary dysentery after returning to Hong Kong.
(Source: Department of Health, HKSAR 21/5/04)