Current Travel Health News

The Ministry of Health of Indonesia confirmed 2 new human cases of H5N1 Avian Influenza infection in Tangerang. The first case was a 28-year-old woman who died on 10 December; the second case was a 47-year-old man who developed symptoms on 2 December and was admitted to hospital on 9 December.

(Source: ProMED-mail 11 December 2007, World Health Organization 13 December 2007 and Health Protection Agency, UK 13 December 2007)

Myanmar confirmed the country's first human case of H5N1 Avian Influenza infection . The case is a 7-year-old female from Kyaing Tone Township, Shan State (East). The case was detected through routine surveillance following an outbreak of H5N1 Avian Influenza infection in poultry in the area in mid-November. She developed symptoms on 21 November and has now recovered. All identified contacts of the case remain healthy.

(Source: ProMED-mail 14 December 2007)

In Vietnam, a new outbreak of Avian Influenza which killed over 1,000 ducks was reported on Bac Giang Province.

(Source: ProMED-mail 13 December 2007)

In Orissa of India, an outbreak of Cholera killed nearly 150 people. Initial investigation revealed that it might due to a virulant strain of Vibrio cholerae imported from Bangladesh.

(Source: ProMED-mail 13 December 2007)

The Ministry of Health in Pakistan informed the World Health Organization of 8 suspected human cases of H5N1 Avian Influenza infection in the Peshawar area of the country.  These cases were detected following a series of culling operations in response to outbreaks of H5N1 in poultry.  One of the suspected cases has recovered and two died.  Multiple poultry outbreaks of H5N1 influenza have been occurring in Pakistan since 2006.  In 2007, there have also been outbreaks in wild birds.

(Source: World Health Organization 15 December 2007)

In Russia, an outbreak of H5N1 Avian Influenza was reported on an egg farm in the Zernograd District of Rostov Region. About 450,000 hens will be destroyed for the control of the disease.

(Source: ProMED-mail 12 December 2007)

In Burundi, an outbreak of Cholera affecting at least 152 people including 2 deaths was reported on Makamba Province.

In Dar es Salaam of Tanzania, at least 3 persons contracted Cholera recently.

An outbreak of Cholera affecting 65 people including 5 deaths was reported on Yumbe District of Uganda. Meanwhile, the outbreak continued to affect Nebbi District with 331 cases and 4 deaths reported so far.

In Zimbabwe, outbreaks of Cholera and diarrhoeal disease were reported in Harare Province.

(Source: ProMED-mail 13 December 2007)

In Poland, 2 outbreaks of Avian Influenza infection among poultry and birds were reported on a small farm near Elblag and a wild bird rehabilitation centre near the town of Orneta respectively. Other affected areas in the country included poultry farms near Plock and Zuromin.

(Source: ProMED-mail 13 December 2007)