Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (30 November 2004)
Southeast Asia: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza [update-17]
A new case of avian influenza was detected in chicken in the northern state of Kelantan in Malaysia. The last case detected was in early October. Some 200 birds had been culled as a precaution.
At a meeting in Bangkok called by the World Health Organization (WHO), Health Ministers and senior health officials from the 10 ASEAN countries plus China, Japan and Korea were told that the threat of a pandemic was now greater than at any time in recent years.
In a joint closing statement, the delegates undertook to work together on all aspects of avian influenza, including prompt and transparent sharing of information, research work, and setting contingency plans.
(Source: Pro-MED mail 23/11/04, Central News Agency 24/11/04, WHO 26/11/04, Sing Tao Daily 27/11/04)
Americas: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
Two cases of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), including one fatal case, were reported in July 2004 in Randolph County, West Virginia, USA HPS are found throughout the Americas, including United States, Canada, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Panama.
HPS is a rare disease caused by viruses of the genus Hantavirus, for which rodents are the natural reservoir. Transmission to humans occurs by direct contact with rodents or their excreta or by inhalation of aerosolized infectious material.
Adherence to personal hygiene, such as washing hands after contact with rodents, can reduce the incidence of HPS.
(Source: ProMED-mail 25/11/04)
Dozens of people, mostly children, have died across Indonesia after suffering from serious diarrhoea. At least 11 children died due to complications from severe diarrhoea in the past two days in South Sulawesi Province, while in Surabaya, East Java Provonce, 10 children under five had died since the beginning of this month. Meanwhile, in West Sumatra Province, four people had died and 263 others were hospitalized from in mid November. Thousands of people in Central Java, South and North Sulawesi provinces have been treated for diarrhea over the past few months. The problem could worsen in the next few weeks as the annual rains began to fall.
(Source: The Jakarta Post 22 & 23/11/04)
China (Guangzhou): Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome
A few cases of heamorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) have been reported in Guangzhou, China recently. HFRS is usually spread by rat excretions. Cases typically concentrated in rural areas or regions with poor hygiene conditions. Disease activity peaks during November to January each year in Guangdong province.
(Source: Sichuan online 22/11/04)
Philippines: Hong Kong visitor contracted dengue fever
The Department of Health confirmed an imported case of dengue fever, making a total of 29 cases (all imported) so far this year.
The patient developed fever and headache after returning from Philippines on 25 October, 2004. He fully recovered after a few days of hospitalization.
(Source: Department of Health HKSAR 22/11/04)
Taiwan: Dengue fever [update-14]
Taiwan health authority reported 25 more cases of dengue fever last week, making a total of 356 confirmed cases, of which 82 were imported cases.
Of the 274 local cases, 248 were reported in Pingdong County, followed by Kaohsiung City with 19 cases, Kaohsiung County with 5 cases, Taoyuan County with 1 case and 1 case of laboratory infection.
(Source: Department of Health, Taiwan 26/11/04)
One death case of yellow fever has been confirmed in the district of Sindou, Cascades region, in the southwest of the country, near the border of Cote d’Ivoire and Mali.
People who travel to yellow fever endemic area should consider yellow fever vaccination.
(Source: World Health Organization 24/11/04)
The Consulate General of Philippines reported that 10 cases of Meningoccaemia had been recorded, mainly in Baguio City in November. Laboratory reports were still pending.
According to the World Health Organization, the risk posed to travellers visiting the Philippines is low and travel advisory has not been issued.
(Source: HKSAR Department of Health 24/11/04, Mingpao 26/11/04)
[Editor Note: Meningococcaemia is caused by a bacterium known as meningococcus invading the bloodstream. The disease is characterized by the sudden onset of fever, intense headache, skin rash, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck and shock and even death in severe cases. It is transmitted by direct contact, including droplets from the nose and throat of infected patients. Early cases can be treated effectively with antibiotics. The incubation period varies from 2 to 10 days, commonly 3 to 4 days.
Travelers who need to go to countries with recent report of meningococcal outbreak should:
l Wash hands frequently, and observe good personal and environmental hygiene;
l Avoid crowded places;
l Avoid close contact with patients having fever or severe headache;
l Seek early medical advice if they become ill and inform the doctor of their travel history.]