RID Travel Advice

Last updated December 2009

Aussie Mozzie Report

QUEENSLAND

A new outbreak of dengue fever has hit north Queensland just two months after the state was declared free of the virus. Queensland Health has confirmed a locally acquired transmission of type one of the virus in the Townsville suburb of Garbutt. Experts have warned early summer rains and expected hot and humid conditions over the coming weeks will be the prefect breeding ground for mosquitoes early in the dengue season. "It's ideal for dengue mosquitoes - it's priming us, if you like, for dengue outbreaks," Queensland Health's tropical population health services medical director Dr Jeffrey Hanna said. North Queensland residents have been urged to remove potential mosquito breeding grounds by emptying containers holding water, clearing roof gutters and throwing away fallen palm fronds. Published November 12, 2009 Source

Global Mozzie Report

VIETNAM

Dengue fever continues to infect and kill an alarming number of people throughout the Mekong Delta, with some provinces reporting twice as many cases than they did over the same period last year. But 60 percent of those patients with classic dengue symptoms have tested negative for the disease and are suspected of having contracted the similar Chikungunya virus carried by the Aedes albopictus mosquito. According to the Health Ministry, over 74,000 people have acquired dengue in Vietnam this year. Published 1 November 2009 Source

MALAYSIA

According to the Malaysia Ministry of Health as of September 26, 2009, more than 31,000 dengue cases and 71 deaths from dengue hemorrhagic fever have been reported during 2009. Published November 24, 2009 Source

PHILLIPINES

As of September 5, the Western Pacific Region of the WHO has reported more than 24,000 cases of dengue and 224 deaths for 2009. November 24, 2009 Source

MIDDLE EAST

Throughout 2009, Saudi Arabia reported dengue cases in areas popular with travelers, including Jeddah and Mecca. Those planning to participate in the Hajj should take extra precautions to prevent dengue. For more information about staying safe and healthy during the Hajj, see the travel notice Health Requirements and Recommendations for Travel to Saudi Arabia during the 2009 Hajj: Information for U.S. Travelers. Published November 24, 2009 Source

AFRICA

MSF emergency teams are responding to the first ever dengue fever outbreak in Cape Verde, and the biggest recorded in Africa. The Cape Verde Ministry of Health has reported 13,187 suspected cases of dengue fever in four islands within the archipelago between 1st October and 9th November. The outbreak is the first ever in Cape Verde and is the biggest recorded in Africa. "This is the first reported epidemic of dengue fever in Cape Verde and it is huge," says Dr Iza Ciglenecki, MSF Emergency Coordinator in Cape Verde. "With globalisation, dengue fever is appearing in places where it has previously been unknown, it is the most rapidly spreading mosquito born disease in the world." Published 11 November 2009 Source

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

The Ministry of Health (MoH) in the Central African Republic has reported four suspected cases of yellow fever, including 3 deaths. The cases were found through regular yellow fever surveillance in the Sub-Prefecture of Yaloke-Bossembelle, Prefecture of Ombella Mpoko and in the Sub-Prefecture of Bagamongone, Prefecture of La Lobaye. Published December 1, 2009 Source

LIBERIA

Liberia: Yellow Fever Outbreak Imminent A Yellow Fever Risk Assessment conducted by the Liberian government through the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has shown that yellow fever outbreak is imminent in Liberia. 10 November 2009 Source

NICARAGUA

This Warden Message alerts citizens residing in and visiting Nicaragua that the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health (MINSA) has reported 1,752 confirmed cases of dengue fever in Nicaragua from July 2009 to October 14, 2009. According to local reports, the majority of cases have been reported in the capital city of Managua and in the department of Masaya, although some cases have also been reported in Matagalpa, Boaco, Leon and Rio San Juan. Since July, MINSA has confirmed eight fatalities caused by Dengue. Because of the increased risk of Dengue fever and the ongoing risk, the CDC recommends practicing preventative measures. Published October 16, 2009 Source

MEXICO

Mexico City - The Mexican states that were hit worst by heavy rains in late October and early November are now facing an outbreak of dengue, a senior health official said Wednesday in a nationally televised statement. Mauricio Hernandez, head of the Mexican Health Ministry's health promotion department, said the ministry has so far recorded some 105,000 suspect cases of dengue, an incurable endemic disease in tropical areas, and some 50,000 of them have been confirmed. Published 19 November 2009 Source

VENEZUELA

According to the Epidemiological Bulletin Number 38, (20 and 26 September 2009) released by the Ministry of Health, the outbreak of dengue in Venezuela began eleven weeks ago. Source

BRAZIL

Currently, Brazil recommends yellow fever vaccination for travelers to the following states: All areas of Acre, Amapa, Amazonas, Distrito Federal (including the capital city of Brasilia), Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Rondonia, Roraima, Tocantins, and designated areas of the following states: northwest and west Bahia, central and west Parana, southwest Piaui, northwest and west central Rio Grande do Sul, far west Santa Catarina, and north and south central Sao Paulo. Published 2 December 2009 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

West Nile News Flash

West Nile virus (WNV) is a virus of the family Flaviviridae. Part of the Japanese encephalitis (JE) antigenic complex of viruses, it is found in both tropical and temperate regions. It mainly infects birds, but is known to infect humans, horses, dogs, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, and domestic rabbits. The main route of human infection is through the bite of an infected mosquito. West Nile virus has been described in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, west and central Asia, Oceania (subtype Kunjin), and most recently, North America. WNV has three different effects on humans.


The first is an asymptomatic infection.


The second is a mild febrile stage (termed West Nile Fever) has an incubation period of 2 to 8 days followed by fever, headache, chills, excessive sweating, weakness, swollen lymph nodes, drowsiness, pain in the joints and symptoms like those of influenza or the flu. Occasionally there is a short-lived truncal rash and some patients experience gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or diarrhea. All symptoms are resolved within 7 to 10 days, although fatigue can last for some weeks and swollen lymph nodes can take up to two months to resolve.


The third is a neuroinvasive disease termed West Nile meningitis or encephalitis. In many infected individuals the ratio between the three states is roughly 110:30:1.
The more dangerous encephalitis is characterized by similar early symptoms but also a decreased level of consciousness, sometimes approaching near-coma. Deep tendon reflexes are hyperactive at first, later diminished.


The virus is transmitted through mosquito vectors, which bite and infect birds. The birds are amplifying hosts, developing sufficient viral levels to transmit the infection to other biting mosquitoes which go on to infect other birds and also humans. The infected mosquito species vary according to geographical area; in the US Culex pipiens (Eastern US), Culex tarsalis (Midwest and West), and Culex quinquefasciatus (Southeast) are the main sources.


Source

RID recommends the following web sites for guidance on health risks associated with insect-borne diseases:

 

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