RID Travel Advice
Last updated 16th December, 2011
Australia - Travel Warnings
NORTHERN TERRITORY
THE Territory Health Department will be checking all properties in Tennant Creek to kill the dengue fever-carrying mosquito Aedes aegypti found in the town.
NT senior medical entomologist Peter Whelan said there was no dengue transmission in the Northern Territory and no one identified in Tennant Creek with dengue fever who would introduce the virus.
He said the department wanted residents to help by emptying and cleaning all water containers, and taking other preventive measures but it could take two years to rid the town of the pest.
"The current risk of dengue transmission in Tennant Creek is extremely remote," he said.
Published 1st December, 2011 Source
QUEENSLAND
North Queenslanders should take normal precautions against dengue fever ahead of the wet season this year, even though dengue-resistant mosquitoes were released near Cairns earlier this year in a trial.
North Queensland public health medical officer Dr Steven Donohue said people still needed to be vigilant in removing mosquito breeding sites over the coming months.
"We are expecting to see dengue mosquitoes breeding around homes and businesses," Dr Donohue said.
The experimental dengue mosquitoes released on trial have been infected with the Wolbachia bacteria which is believed to make them unable to transmit the dengue virus, but Dr Donohue said people should not assume mosquitoes would now be harmless.
"The dengue-resistant mosquito trials are wonderful science and may work in the future but we are still in the early stages of this research, so it is important people do not become complacent in removing breeding sites around homes and businesses."
Published 9th December, 2011 Source
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Mozzie season has started and people have been warned to cover up after a spike in mosquito-borne diseases. SA Health's director of Health Protection, Dr Chris Lease, said 1164 cases of Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus and Murray Valley encephalitis were reported in SA from last December to May this year, more than five times 206 cases over the same period the previous season.
Since October 1, SA Health has already reported 32 cases of Ross River and 13 cases of Barmah Forest virus.
"Mosquitoes can be more than a nuisance and can sometimes spread serious diseases ... when they bite," Dr Lease said.
"That is why it is so important that you protect yourself and your family by remembering to cover up, repel and eliminate to avoid being bitten."
For the first time since 1974, two South Australians contracted Murray Valley encephalitis this year. Mannum man Tyrone Kelsh, 27, died in May after contracting the disease in March.
Published 3rd December, 2011 Source
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The Department of Health is advising people living or travelling through the Kimberley and Wheatbelt regions of WA to take care to avoid mosquito bites following detection of Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) and Kunjin (KUN) viruses for the first time in the 2011-2012 season.
The Department of Health's surveillance program (undertaken by The University of Western Australia) has detected Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) in the Kimberley and also detected activity of the related Kunjin (KUN) virus in the Wheatbelt region.
Department of Health Acting Medical Entomologist Dr Peter Neville said it was unusual to detect activity of these viruses this early in the northern wet season, but above average rainfall during October and November in both regions had resulted in populations of biting mosquitoes that could be carrying these viruses.
"There are no specific cures or vaccines for MVE or Kunjin viruses so it is very important that people take care to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes. The type of mosquito that carries these viruses is most active around sunset and after dark, so this warning particularly applies to people undertaking outdoor activities during the evening and night in both regions," Dr Neville said.
Published 9th December, 2011 Source
Global - Travel Warnings
NEW ZEALAND
A mosquito which carries diseases such as yellow fever and dengue fever has been found on a cargo ship visiting Auckland and Tauranga.
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) staff found larvae, pupae and other signs of the Asian tiger mosquito in a routine search of an incoming ship at Auckland port on Tuesday.
Along with yellow fever, dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever, the mosquito can spread Ross River virus and in laboratory conditions it has also been known to transmit Eastern and Western equine encephalitis, West Nile virus, chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis viruses.
Anyone living or working near the Auckland or Tauranga wharves who sees any mosquito activity such as insect biting or "wrigglers in pooled water" is asked to contact the ministry's hotline.
Published 8th December, 2011 Source
USA - FLORIDA
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Palm Beach County health officials are warning residents to avoid mosquito bites as one woman recovers from the West Nile virus.
This is the first case of West Nile in the area in five years. But the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports it comes just two months after the county reported two unrelated cases of another mosquito-borne disease, dengue fever. State health officials have so far reported 25 cases of West Nile. All but three were from an earlier outbreak in the Jacksonville area that led to two deaths.
Published 12th December, 2011 Source
USA - GEORGIA
The weather may be cooling off but that doesn't mean that mosquitoes aren't still around and potentially carrying West Nile Virus (WNV). Both WNV and Eastern Equine Encephalitis are transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes and can cause mild to serious illness. Mosquitoes that carry the West Nile Virus are more likely to bite during the evening, night and early morning.
The Glynn County Health Department encourages residents to continue taking appropriate precautions to minimize mosquitoes around their property.
The Glynn County Health Department encourages residents to follow the five "Ds" of prevention:
Dusk - Mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus usually bite at dusk and dawn.
Dawn - Avoid outdoor activity at dusk and dawn if possible. If you must be outside, be sure to protect yourself from bites.
Dress - Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to reduce the amount of exposed skin.
DEET - Cover exposed skin with an insect repellent containing the chemical DEET, which is the most effective repellent against mosquito bites.
Drain - Empty any containers holding standing water because they can be excellent breeding grounds for virus-carrying mosquitoes.
Published 9th December, 2011 Source
USA
2011 West Nile Virus Human Infections in the United States
(Reported to CDC as of November 29, 2011) - Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Published 13th December, 2011 Source
BRAZIL
Malaria transmission occurs in the states of Acre, AmapAi, Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Para, Rondonia, Roraima, Tocantins, and the western part of MaranhaAu, as well as urban areas, including cities such as Boa Vista, Macapa, Manaus, Maraba, Porto Velho, and Santarem. Rare cases are reported from Belem. There is no malaria transmission at Iguassu Falls. Transmission is greatest in remote jungle areas where mining, lumbering and agriculture occur and which have been settled for less than five years. For a map showing the risk of malaria in different parts of the country, go to the Pan American Health Organization website at www.paho.org/English/HCP/HCT/MAL/maps-cartagena.htm.
Published year-round Source
MARSHALL ISLANDS
Majuro - On December 1, 2011, the Office of the Chief Secretary delivered a dengue fever briefing update to Cabinet. From the medical aspect, it was found that there were 493 dengue fever cases since the onset of the outbreak. The affected communities now include Majuro, Ebeye (2 cases), Arno (4 cases), Utrik (4 cases), and Enewetak (1 case). The Ministry of Health and donor countries and organizations have helped with keeping supplies and personnel at adequate levels.
Published 6th December, 2011 Source
MICRONESIA - YAP ISLAND
Yap Governor Sebastian Anefal has declared a "state of emergency to preserve public health against the spread of the dengue virus." In his declaration, he said the Yap State Department of Health Services identified an initial case of dengue fever in the state on Sept. 1, 2011.
As of Nov. 21, the department had identified 400 suspected cases, with 367 cases on the main island of Yap, 27 on Ulithi and two each on Fais, Euripik and Woleai.
Published 2nd December, 2011 Source
GREECE
Between 21 May and 5 December, 2011, 63 cases of Plasmodium vivax infection have been reported in Greece. The majority of cases are reported from the area of Evrotas in Lakonia district, Peloponnese in southern Greece. Given the enhanced surveillance and extensive active case finding in the area, the epidemiological and entomological evidence suggests that local transmission of malaria in the area is discontinued at present.
Chemoprophylaxis for malaria is not recommended for visitors to this area. The use of standard mosquito biting prevention measures continues to be encouraged.
Published 6th December, 2011 Source
THE PHILLIPINES
All municipalities of Aklan have now recorded cases of dengue, bringing the total number since January to 255, based on the latest statistics provided by the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
Topping the list is still the capital town of Kalibo with 94 cases, followed by Malay with 22 and New Washington and Numancia, with both 16 cases.
The rest of Aklan towns had cases 15 and below.
The towns of Madalag and Buruanga have 2 each.
Published 3rd December, 2011 Source
AFRICA - SENEGAL
The Ministry of Health in Senegal notified the WHO of three cases of yellow fever in Kedougou and Saraya Health districts, near the border with Mali and Guinea Conakry on 26 October 2011.
Published 1st December, 2011 Source
PAKISTAN
In the 2011 monsoon season, dengue fever, a deadly mosquito-borne disease, struck Pakistan with unexpected force. It was the largest such outbreak in the country's history infecting 27,000 people and causing 322 fatalities, and exhausting the capacities of the hospitals in the affected areas.
The 2011 monsoon outbreak was first reported in Lahore, the capital city of the Punjab province in mid-August 2011. The virus spread rapidly to the entire province and then at its peak, by October 2011, dengue infections were being reported throughout the rest of the country.
Published 5th December, 2011 Source
PAKISTAN - RAWALPINDI
"The dengue fever spike has almost come to an end, however, we would continue following measures taken to screen dengue fever suspects till the number of suspects reaching allied hospitals becomes zero," said focal person for dengue fever at allied hospitals Dr Javed Hayat while talking to 'The News' on Monday.
To date, the DHQ Hospital received a total of 778 suspects of dengue fever of which 303 have been tested positive while 474 negative. The DHQ Hospital has to receive confirmatory report in only one case from the NIH. "All 303 patients tested positive for the infection at DHQ Hospital have been discharged after complete cure," said Dr Javed.
Published 29th November, 2011 Source
PAKISTAN - LAHORE
The toll from the deadly dengue reached in the City to 366 as the virus killed one more patient on Sunday. Besides, the ruthless disease forced dozens of Lahorites to approach hospitals for preliminary tests, confirming 30 new cases. Ghulam Murtaza (48), a resident of Sadiqia Colony, Khokhar Road, lost his battle of life with the dengue virus. Out of 30 new cases, 6 were tested positive at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, 4 each at Mayo and Jinnah and 2 at Services Hospital while 14 were reported from private centres.
Published 28th November, 2011 Source
INDIA - NEW DELHI
100 people have tested positive for chikungunya fever this year. Meanwhile, seven people have tested positive for dengue in the capital since yesterday, taking the total number of those afflicted by the mosquito-borne disease this year to 1,097. According to Union Health Ministry figures, over 10,000 dengue cases have been detected in the country this year. Japanese Encephalitis, common in the neighbouring states, surfaced for the first time in the city after four people tested positive in October.
Published 2nd December, 2011 Source
NEPAL
At least six dengue patients were found in different VDCs in Nawalparasi district this year, confirmed the District Public Health Office, Nawalparasi, RSS reports.
Gaindakot, Mukundapur, Amarapuri, Rajahar and some other VDCs are at the high risk of this disease, said Harinandan Mahato, Vector Control of the office. Chitwan, Rupandehi, Nawalparasi, Parsa and some other Terai districts are at high risk of Dengue disease.
Published 28th November, 2011 Source
MALAYSIA
The number of dengue cases reported in Ipoh in the last few months has shown a steep increase.
Areas identified as prone to dengue fever outbreaks include Lim Garden, Taman Klebang Jaya, Taman Pengkalan Barat, Kampung Tersusun Tasek, Kampung Rapat Jaya Tambahan, RPT Cempaka Sari, RPT Batu 8, Ulu Kinta and Gugusan Manjoi.
"The council's vector control division has been intensifying checks on households and fogging at sensitive areas to reduce sources of the disease," he said.
Roshidi added that one of the factors contributing to the increase of cases was the change in weather, from the dry spell to current monsoon season.
Published 5th December, 2011 Source
SRI LANKA
Sri Lankan health authorities issued a "Red Alert" for parts of the country including the capital Colombo as dengue began to spread rapidly. The Sri Lankan Health Ministry said in a statement on Monday that the alert had been issued for Colombo, Gampaha, Anuradhapura, Vavuniya, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ratnapura, Kandy and Kegalle. Sri Lanka has been confronted with heavy rain over the past few weeks and there are fears this will help the spread of dengue.
Published 6th December, 2011 Source
INDONESIA
Areas of Indonesia with Malaria: Rural areas of Kalimantan (Borneo), Nusa Tenggara Barat (includes the island of Lombok), Sulawesi, and Sumatra. All areas of eastern Indonesia (provinces of Irian Jaya Barat, Maluku, Maluku Utara, Nusa Tenggara Timur, and Papua Indonesia). None in Jakarta or resort areas of Bali and Java. Low transmission in rural areas of Java. If you will be visiting an area of Indonesia with malaria, you will need to discuss with your doctor the best ways for you to avoid getting sick with malaria.
Published 14th December, 2011 Source
INDONESIA - JAKARTA
Clean and Health Lifestyle campaign (PHBS) by Jakarta Provincial Government starts showing results. It is proven, total of dengue fever (DBD) case this year is declining significantly compared to previous years.
Data from Jakarta Health Department mentioned since January to November this year, there are 6,257 cases with two people passed away. This rate is declining significantly compared to last year which was about 15 thousands of dengue fever case.
He details, based on per area data, the rate of dengue fever sufferer this year mentioned in North Jakarta (1,781 cases), East Jakarta (1,575 cases), South Jakarta (1,192 cases and 1 passed away), and West Jakarta (1,140 and 1 passed away) and Central Jakarta (569 cases).
Published 12th December, 2011 Source
CAMBODIA
Areas of Cambodia with Malaria: Present throughout the country, except none at the temple complex at Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, and around Lake Tonle Sap.
If you will be visiting an area of Cambodia with malaria, you will need to discuss with your doctor the best ways for you to avoid getting sick with malaria.
Published 14th December, 2011 Source
WORLDWIDE
Refer to Source link below to see information on countries presently at risk of Dengue Fever. Dengue is transmitted via the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes feed predominantly in the daytime. Symptoms consist of sudden onset of fever, headache, muscle aches, and rash. Dengue haemorrhagic fever may occur particularly after a second infection with a different strain. Travellers at risk should take measures to prevent mosquito bites. Insect-bite prevention measures include applying a DEET-containing repellent to exposed skin and applying permethrin spray or solution to clothing and gear.
Published November, 2011 Source
World Health Organisation News (W.H.O)
"How can I prevent mosquito bites to prevent dengue?" There is no way to tell if a mosquito is carrying the dengue virus. Therefore, people must protect themselves from all mosquito bites. Dengue mosquitoes bite during the day time throughout the day. Highest biting intensity is about 2 hours after sunrise and before sunset. Wear full sleeves clothes and long dresses to cover as much of your body as possible. Use repellents- be careful in using them in young children and old people. Use mosquito coils and electric vapour mats during the daytime also to prevent dengue. Use mosquito nets to protect children, old people and others who may rest during the day. The effectiveness of these nets can be improved by treating them with permethrin (pyrethroid insecticide). This bed-net is called Insecticide Treated Nets and are widely used in the prevention of malaria. Source
RID recommends the following web sites for guidance on health risks associated with insect-borne diseases:
- www.travelclinic.com.au/facts-sheets-acute-mount-sickness.htm
- www.vaccinations.com.au/travel_health_info.htm
- www.traveldoctor.com.au (Health Alerts)
- www.welltogo.com.au (Travel health advisory Group)
- www.travelvaccines.com.au (International Travel Vaccination Centre)
- www.travelclinic.com.au
- www.travelvax.com.au
- www.health.gov.au
- www.smarttraveller.gov.au (Aust Govt travel advisory service)
- www.who.int/ith/en/ (World Health Organisation)
