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News

03 Nov 2008 Cholera in China

The provincial Health Department has reported a confirmed cholera outbreak on Hainan island the southernmost Province of China.

The source of the outbreak has been traced to a dinning party in Huangyu Village, Danzhou City, where the first case was diagnosed on 20 Oct 2008. The outbreak is reported to be under control although 7 students at Hainan University in the capital city of Haikou have been diagnosed with the infection. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 51.

Experts from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention are in Hainan to assist with outbreak control.

Advice for travellers

Cholera is low risk for the average traveller and the risk can be greatly reduced by ensuring access to safe water and attention to personal hygiene; particularly hand washing.

Cholera vaccine is available for those going into an outbreak situation who will be mixing closely with the local population and may be unable to ensure safe water.

30 Oct 2008 Earthquake in Pakistan

At least 22 000 people have been displaced from their homes following a magmitude 6.4 earthquake yesterday, in the southwest province of Balochistan.

Accessibility to health services, exposure to cold weather and access to safe food and water are major health concerns.The World Health Organisation (WHO) has sent emergency medicines and supplies to the most affected districts of Ziarat and Pishin. Low immunisation coverage in the region is also a concern, particularly against measles and tetanus.

WHO stands ready to support Pakistani authorities in relief efforts. The country's National Disaster Management Authority has sent 1000 tents and 1500 blankets, as well as other supplies to the affected area.

Advice for travellers

Those planning to travel to this area should check with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) before departure.

29 Oct 2008 Rabies in China

Government Officials have ordered the culling of more than 11 000 dogs in south-western Yunnan province. This follows the death of 6 individuals from rabies in Mi ' le county since late July 2008.

The incidence of human rabies in China is very high and the number of deaths has risen in recent years, with more than 3000 deaths reported in 2006.

Advice for travellers

Currently there is a global shortage of human rabies immunoglobulin (used in the treatment of a potentially rabid bite).

Travellers to the southern provinces of China in particular should avoid all animal contact, including domestic cats and dogs and not rely on the availability of full post-exposure treatment. Rabies vaccine is available for those at particular risk, prior to travel.

29 Oct 2008 Dengue fever in Pakistan

The Health Authorities in Lahore have confirmed 144 cases of dengue fever in the city since Aug 2008.

Pools of rainwater following the monsoon have created ideal mosquito breeding sites. Dengue fever is considered to be an ongoing risk until the cooler weather arrives in November and December when mosquitoes are much less of a problem.

Advice for travellers

Dengue fever is a disease that is spread by the day biting mosquito, Aedes aegypti. The disease can cause an acute flu-like illness that affects infants, young children and adults, but seldom causes death.

There are no specific medications available to prevent or treat dengue fever. Travellers must ensure that they use bite avoidance measures including insect repellents when visiting risk areas.

24 Oct 2008 Rabies (animal) in north-east Italy

The Ministry of Health has confirmed that a fox which attached a man walking in the forests of Resia district was infected with rabies. Rabies was laboratory confimed on 21 Oct 2008.

Resia district is located in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Regin of north-eastern Italy, close to the borders with Austria and Slovenia. This area of north-east Italy has been known for animal rabies in the past; this is the first case in thirteen years and the infection may have been introduced to Italy from the east

Advice for travellers

This area is not a popular tourist destination of Italy as it is mountainous and forested, however visitors to this region should be aware of the rabies risk.

Animal contact should be discouraged and medical attention should be sought following any animal or bat bite.

07 Oct 2008 Hepatitis A in Latvia

Since Nov 2007, an increase in the number of reported hepatitis A cases has been noted in Latvia.

Between 1 Jan and 24 Sep 2008, a total of 759 confirmed cases of hepatits A have been recorded. The incidence of the infection increased dramatically at the end of Aug and early Sep 2008. On 24 Sep alone, 285 suspected cases of hepatitis A were under investigation. The majority of cases were registered in the capital city of Riga (598) and in the Riga region (73).

Advice for travellers

Vaccination against hepatits A is usually recommended for travellers to Latvia. Travellers should also maintain a good standard of personal hygiene.

25 Sep 2008 Melamine-contaminated powdered infant milk in China

China's Ministry of Health reported over the weekend that nearly 40,000 children have sought medical treatment related to the consumption of melamine-contaminated powdered infant formula. Almost 12,900 are currently in hospital. Three deaths have been confirmed as being related to the contaminated milk.

Advice for travellers

Travellers should be aware of this problem and those travelling with infants and small children should seek further information from the Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety (CFS) website or take local advice from either of the two 24 hour helplines listed below.

25 Sep 2008 Chikungunya fever in India

Chikungunya fever is reported to be increasing in India with 70 740 recorded cases so far in 2008 compared with 59 536 for the whole of 2007.

The worst affected state is Karnataka with 48 618 cases, followed by Kerala with 24 605 and 398 cases in Maharashtra state. Other less affected states are Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Tamil Nadu and Haryana

Advice for travellers

Chikungunya fever is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito and there is no vaccine available against this infection. The only preventive measure is to avoid mosquito bites by covering the skin with clothing, using repellents on exposed skin and impregnated mosquito nets etc, see also insect bites and repellents.

24 Sep 2008 Hepatitis A in Czech Republic

Since the beginning of the year the Czech capital of Prague and Central Bohemia have seen a marked increase in the incidence of hepatitis A.

The outbreak first began among intravenous drug users and the homless but quickly spread to the general public. Around 400 individuals, including a number of school children have become infected; the worst affected area is Prague with 260 cases recorded and further suspected cases awaiting confirmation. In early Sep 2008, a mass vaccination campaign targeted those at highest risk and the general population has been encouraged to seek vaccination as new cases are expected to continue for some time yet.

Advice for travellers

Vaccination against hepatitis A is available for those considered to be at risk.

16 Sep 2008 Cholera in Guinea Bissau

An outbreak of cholera in Guinea Bissau, first reported in Aug 2008, is ongoing and reaching alarming proportions. The United Nations Office reports more than 5000 cases and 110 deaths from the infection. The capital remains the worst affected area with 3500 cases; the outbreak has now spread to the provinces of Quinara (south), biombo (west) and cases have been reported in Sao Domingo (north-west) and the Bijagos Islands.

Advice for travellers

The risk of cholera for the average traveller is low and exposure to the infection can be greatly reduced by ensuring safe drinking water and good personal hygiene.

There is a vaccine available against cholera and it is advised for those entering an outbreak situation who cannot ensure safe water or good standards of hygiene eg relief/aid workers or medical personnel

08 Sep 2008 Chikungunya fever in Malaysia

This outbreak in peninsular Malaysia has been ongoing for five months and has spread widely. A total of 224 suspected cases of chikunguya fever have been recorded nationwide in the week of 24-30 Aug 2008. This compares with 179 the previous week. The cases have been reported from five states; Johor, Melaka, Perak, Penang and Sarawak.

Advice for travellers

Chikungunya fever is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito and there is no vaccine available against this infection. The only preventive measure is to avoid mosquito bites by covering the skin with clothing, using repellents on exposed skin and impregnated mosquito nets etc, see also insect bites and repellents.

27 Aug 2008 Rabies in China

A new Chinese study has reported a dramatic spike in rabies infection. It shows that in some provinces of China the number of human rabies cases has jumped since the new millennium. Human rabies was largely under control during the years 1990-1996 due to rabies vaccination programmes in animals. The increase in human rabies would indicate a need to review control and prevention measures.

The study found that rabies was most commonly reported from the southern and southwestern territories of China. The four wosrt affected provinces are Guizhou, Guangxi, Hunan and Guangdong.

Advice for travellers

Travellers should be aware of the rabies risk whilst travelling and avoid animal contact whenever possible. Rabies vaccine is available for those at particular risk.

15 Aug 2008 Measles outbreak in Gibraltar

During the last week the Director of public health has been notified of 17 cases of measles in Gibraltar. Most of the cases have been in children under 18 years of age and who have not recieved Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine.

Advice for Travellers

It should be confirmed that children have received their recommended doses of MMR at 12-15 months of age and again pre-school around 4-5 years, while unimmunised adults who have not had the disease themselves may consider vaccination. Travellers are advised to discuss their travel plans with a travel health advisor or other healthcare professional.

14 Aug 2008 Poliomyelitis in West Africa

Since the beginning of 2008, Nigeria has reported a dramatic increase in the numbers of poliomyelitis within the country. Other countries that have been affected by this outbreak include Niger, Benin, Burkina Faso and Chad as they lie close to the border of Nigeria. Mass vaccination campaigns within the affected areas are due to commence in August/September 2008.

Advice for travellers

All adults and children living in the UK should be vaccinated against poliomyelitis. Immunisation against poliomyelitis is part of the routine schedule for children living in the UK.

A booster dose is recommended before travel to endemic areas. Adults and children who are unimmunised against poliomyelitis would require a full course of vaccine before travel. Travellers to endemic areas are advised to discuss their travel plans with a travel health advisor or other healthcare professional.

11 Aug 2008 British behaviour abroad report

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) have released their annual report on British behaviour abroad. The report provides incidence figures from the Foreign Office records that highlight the key problems British nationals experience when away from home. In the period between April 2006 and March 2007 2, 032 Britons were arrested in France – 33% higher than the year before; 695 hospitalised in Spain; 1, 591 Britons died in Spain – 20% higher than the previous year and 6,710 lost their passports in Spain. Greece and Spain reported the most rape incidents (28 and 29 respectively) followed by Turkey where 21 rape incidents were reported. To view the report in full please click here.

31 Jul 2008 Yellow fever in Brazil

As of the 11 June 2008, 45 cases of yellow fever have been reported in Brazil including 25 deaths. The majority of cases reported have occurred in areas that are known to have yellow fever within them. However, two new areas have been identified these areas are Northern Espirito Santo and Western Santa Catarina.

Advice for travellers

Many regions of Brazil are risk areas for yellow fever infection and travellers are advised to discuss their travel plans with a travel advisor or other healthcare professional.

25 Jul 2008 Diphtheria in Ukraine

A total of 7 cases and 8 carriers of diphtheria have been recorded in the south eastern province of Donetsk in 2008. The worst affected area is the city of Makeeva, where 5 cases and 5 carriers were recorded. One case, a five-year-old child, died from diphtheria in the city. Health Officials consider an increasing number of individuals declining vaccination as a contributing factor to the outbreak.

Advice for travellers

All adults and children living in the UK should be vaccinated against diphtheria. Immunisation against diphtheria is part of the routine schedule for children living in the UK. A booster dose is recommended before travel to the Ukraine. Adults unimmunised against diphtheria would require a full course of vaccine before travel.

21 Jul 2008 Chikungunya fever in Bali (Indonesia)

Chikungunya fever has been reported from Bali. Between 10 and 20 residents of the island have been affected in the past two weeks and cases have occurred in Banjar Yeh Sumbul, Yeh Sumbul, Mendoyo in the west of the country.

Advice for travellers

Chikungunya fever is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito and there is no vaccine available against this infection. The only preventive measure is to avoid mosquito bites by covering the skin with clothing, using repellents on exposed skin and impregnated mosquito nets etc, see also insect bites and repellents.

11 Jul 2008 Marburg haemorrhagic fever in tourist to Uganda

Marburg haemorrhagic fever has been confirmed in a 40 year-old tourist from The Netherlands who travelled to Uganda between 5 and 28 Jun 2008.

Travel included a visit to the 'Python cave' in the Maramagombo forest situated between Elizabeth Park and Kabale close to Lake Edward in south-west Uganda; a second cave was visited near Fort Portal. Transmission of the virus is thought to have taken place during this visit as the traveller and her companions were exposed to fruit bats in the cave. Bats and certain monkeys are known to act as a reservoir for Marburg virus.

Advice for travellers

Travellers visiting Uganda who plan similar trips should be made aware of the risk of exposure to Marburg virus in caves that house bats. The European Centre for Disease prevention and Control (ECDC) advises against visiting either of the caves included in this tour as well as other caves where bats are present.

08 Jul 2008 Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Turkey and Greece

The Ministry of Health has reported an increase in the number of cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Turkey in 2008.

Deaths from CCHF were first reported in May 2008. By 7 June, the number of deaths increased to 17. An infectious diseases expert noted that the ticks that carry the CCHF virus are primarily found in the provinces of Sivas, Tokat, Gumushane, Bayburt, Amasya, Cankin, Corum, Yozgat, Samsun, Karabuk and Kastamonu.

By the end of June, another 4 deaths were reported, bringing the total number of deaths in the last six months to 26, this compares with 27 deaths from CCHF for the whole of 2007. The number of infections is expected to increase during the warmer weather. A total of 717 confirmed cases were reported in 2007. The town of Corum in Central Anatolia has seen most of the cases in recent years and the Health Ministry has been running awareness campaigns among the villages which they feel have been effective.

On 7 Jul 2008, The first human case of CCHF was reported from Greece. A Ministry of Health statement confirmed that a Greek woman was infected with CCHF after being bitten by a tick when working in the fields. The woman died on 23 Jun 2008 in hospital in the city of Alexandroupoli, in the northeast of the country.

Advice for travellers

This disease is spread to humans by the bite of an infected tick. It is more commonly found in rural areas and those working with livestock are more at risk.

Travellers on package holidays to coastal resorts are at low risk from this infection.

Avoidance of tick bites is the main preventive measure, especially during spring/summer months when they are most active (see bite avoidance). Use clothing to cover the skin, ie long sleeves and long trousers with the bottoms tucked in boots. Inspect the body following possible exposure and remove ticks immediately (see tick bites). Individuals who have travelled to endemic areas and develop symptoms following a tick bite must contact their physician.

19 Jun 2008 Monsoon floods in India

According to media reports, flash floods and mudslides have affected and displaced around two million individuals in four northeastern states of India.

In Assam state, thousands are living in waist-deep water while flood waters have submerged thousands of acres of land, disrupted electricity, road and rail communications in Orissa state. In West Bengal state soldiers are using speed boats to help evacuate flood victims. Nineteen individuals died in the state of Arunachal Pradesh due to mudslides triggered by a heavy downpour.

More rain is predicted in the next 24 hours for West Bengal and Orissa. The monsoon season in India lasts from Jun to Sep.

Advice for travellers

Travellers should get up-to-date information from their Travel Company and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) before departure. Check locally that the roads are open before travelling in India.

19 May 2008 Measles in Spain

An outbreak of measles has been reported from the town of Algeciras in southern Spain. By 18 April 2008, 142 suspected cases had been reported, 57 have been confirmed and 61 are still under investigation. Twenty four suspected cases have been ruled out by laboratory testing. Vaccination/immunoglobulin is being offered to those at risk.

Advice for travellers

Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that is spread through direct contact with throat or nasal secretions from an infected person. The virus can cause rash, fever, severe conjunctivitis and cough. The illness can be serious and have severe complications.

Measles vaccination (MMR) is part of the UK national schedule for children. Parents should ensure that their children have the two doses necessary (before school entry) to give long term protection.

Adults who have not had measles infection (which provides lifelong immunity) can be immunised against measles if they are considered to be at risk. Individuals born before 1970 are more likely to have had measles infection and are less likely to be susceptible; if considered to be at high risk of measles, they can however be immunised.

14 May 2008 Earthquake in China

A 7.9 Richter scale earthquake struck Wenchuan County, Aba Prefecture in Sichuan Province on 12 May at 14:28 hrs (Beijing time). The neigbouring cities of Jiangyou, Tianpeng, Guangyuan, Mianyang and the provincial capital of Chengdu received extensive damage. The authorities indicate that the death toll stands at 12 000 with an additional 26 206 people injured and around 9400 people buried in debris. Communications with the affected area has been cut off. Meteorological sources fear that landslides and debris flows in the affected areas are possible.

Advice for travellers

Travellers who are planning to visit this area or those with friends or relatives in the area are advised to check with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for the most up-to-date information and travel advice. The FCO advises against all but essential travel to the affected area at present. The site also gives contact details for concerned relatives.

07 May 2008 Tropical cyclone in Myanmar (Burma)

The Myanmar (Burmese) government has declared a state of emergency in Rangoon, Mon, Irrawaddy, Karen and Bago following Cyclone Nargis. Cyclone Nargis hit the country on 2-3 May 2008 and the Irrawaddy Delta area and Rangoon have suffered significant damage to the infrastructure although Rangoon airport has now re-opened. It has been estimated that more than 22 000 deaths have occurred as a result. Relief agencies such as Medicins Sans Frontieres, Red Cross and Red Crescent are in the area; clean water, food and shelter are major problems at present.

Advice for travellers

Travel to Myanmar is not restricted but the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises travellers to avoid the affected areas and to follow the advice of the local authorities. It is recommended that travellers check with the FCO website for the latest travel advice before departure.

07 May 2008 Hand-foot-mouth disease in China

China is in the midst of a large epidemic of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD). The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that, as of 29 April 2008, a total of 1884 cases including 20 deaths of HFMD due to enterovirus (EV-71) have been recorded among infants and young children. The 20 deaths occurred in Fuyang city in Anhui Province and the children died from complications of this common viral infection.

The number of hospitalised cases has gradually increased since the end of March with a sharp increase in the number of cases since 18 April 2008.

The worst affected areas are Anhui Province in east China and Guangdong Province in southern China. Other affected areas include the provinces of Zhejiang, Henan, Hubei and Jiangxi. Cases are also being reported from Beijing.

Unconfirmed media reports claim that the actual number of cases exceeds 8531 with at least 25 deaths.

Advice for travellers

HFMD is a common viral infection that occurs worldwide and more often in the summer and autumn. It is caused by an enterovirus which enters the body via the gastrointestinal tract. The infection affects mostly young children and is easily spread by coughs, sneezes and poor personal hygiene. Outbreaks often occur in nurseries, schools and daycare centres. The infection can be mild with few symptoms, however two viruses are known to cause more serious illness with complications; EV71 and Cox A16.

The illness may begin with a fever and a sore throat. A rash with blisters may develop on the hands and feet and sores appear around and in the mouth. No vaccine is available against this infection.

Travellers are advised to be aware of this outbreak and avoid crowded areas if possible and contact with children in nurseries etc. Good personal hygiene should be maintained with the emphasis on frequent handwashing. Medical attention should be sought if any of the symptoms mentioned develop.