Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (26 September 2004)
In Uganda, health officials have confirmed 7 new cholera cases in Kasese in the past few days. All were recovering.
In Tanzania, 32 cholera cases had been recorded in week ending 10 September.
(Source: ProMED-mail 24/9/04)
Undiagnosed deaths: India (Uttar Pradesh)
In the past 4 months there were 20 deaths reported in Uttar Pradesh state of India where the cause of death has not been confirmed. All cases were below the age of 15 years. They had vomiting, high fever, and diarrhea.
Malaria has been diagnosed in some of the cases but Japanese encephalitis and typhoid fever remain possible alternative diagnoses.
(Source: ProMED-mail 22/9/04)
Dengue Fever: Singapore [update-4]
In the first 9 months of this year, the number of dengue fever cases in Singapore was over 5,200, an increase of almost 50% compared with figures last year. Although the number of reported cases started to drop since last week, it was still unsure whether the condition had stabilized. Survey indicates mosquito breeding in households show a rising trend.
The peak for this year’s outbreak was at late August, with more than 330 cases per week. This was a 30% increase compared with the peak of almost 260 cases per week last year.
(Source: Central News Agency 21/9/04)
Dengue fever: Taiwan [update-5]
As at 24 September this year, 717 cases of dengue fever have been reported in Taiwan, of which 114 cases are confirmed.
There are 45 local cases. Apart from one occurring in Kaohsiung city, all others occurred in Pingdong county.
Of the 68 imported cases, only one contracted the disease in South Asia (India). The rest contracted in 8 South East Asian countries.
(Source: Department of Health, Taiwan 24/9/04)
Dengue Fever: Vietnam [Update-5]
As of 21 September, Vietnam has detected nearly 50,000 dengue fever cases this year, with 74 deaths, posting year-on-year increases of 100% and 61% respectively. More than 9,100 new dengue cases, with 9 deaths, were reported in the last 30 days.
Most of the cases are from southern localities such as the provinces of Soc Trang, Bac Lieu and Ben Tre. The main reasons for the severe outbreak are sudden climatic changes, shortage of clean water, and poor awareness among many rural residents about the danger of the mosquito-borne disease.
Last year the country reported over 35,000 cases with 58 deaths, which represented an increase of almost 50% from figures in 2002.
(Source: Xinhua Net 21/9/04)
Avian Influenza: Asia [update-9]
In the north-eastern province of Kamphaengphet in Thailand, 3 deceased patients has been added to the list of suspected humans cases of bird flu infection. They included a mother and daughter, and an unrelated boy. The former cases are being investigated for possible human-to-human transmission.
In Cambodia, about 2300 chickens have died of H5N1 bird flu in a farm near the capital, Phnom Penh.
In Malaysia, authorities have detected the bird flu virus in chickens in a farm near where the first case was detected in Kelantan state. A fighting cock brought in from Thailand was believed to have spread the disease to Malaysia.
(Source : ProMED-mail 25/9/04, 22/9/04, 21/9/04 )
Travel Health tips for autumn holidays
This year, as the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holidays are close together, many locals will seize the opportunity and travel outside Hong Kong. This Service would like to offer some health tips to make your trip more enjoyable and healthy.
To prevent contracting SARS, avian influenza and other respiratory tract infections, travellers should observe good personal and environmental hygiene at all times and to take the following precautions:
· Keep hands clean, wash hands frequently with liquid soap, especially before eating and touching the nose, mouth and eyes. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Put soiled tissues into a rubbish bin with a lid and then wash hands thoroughly.
· Avoid contact with live poultry or birds. Wash hands immediately after handling them.
· If hand-washing facilities are not available, wash hands with a disinfectant containing 65% to 95% alcohol.
· Avoid visiting crowded or poorly ventilated places.
· If you develop symptoms of a respiratory tract infection such as a fever or cough, wear a mask and seek medical advice promptly. Remember to provide details of your recent travel.
Be on guard against food-borne infections during travel. When dining out:
· Only patronize reputable and licensed restaurants.
· Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
· Cook food thoroughly
· Avoid eating raw seafood;
· Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sushi and raw oysters in a buffet;
· Drink boiled water;
· Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective;
· Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.
Moreover, those travelling to South-east Asia and South Asia should take the following anti-mosquito measures as dengue fever is still prevalent at this time of the year:
· Wear long-sleeved clothes and long trousers;
· Use insect repellent over the exposed parts of the body; and
· Use mosquito screens or nets when the room is not air-conditioned.
· If symptoms of an infection appear within 14 days after the trip, consult a doctor and provide details of your recent travel.
(Source: Port Health Office 25/9/04)