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Measles in United Kingdom

A multimillion pound campaign is underway in the UK following an outbreak of measles that started in Wales, with almost 1000 cases already notified in the greater Swansea area in Wales. Travellers are advised to know their measles immune status and, providing there are no contraindications, be vaccinated if not immune. See Travel Health Reports for further information.

Influenza A (H7N9) in China

On 31 March 2013 China notified three laboratory confirmed cases of Influenza A (H7N9) and since then a number of cases have been notified with over 100 cases notified as at late April 2013. See Travel Health Reports for further information.

Liver Fluke in Travellers Returning from Bali

A recent report advises of 6 travellers diagnosed with liver fluke (Fasciola) infection that was acquired in Bali. Initially some travellers were diagnosed with liver cancer and one had major surgery for that. Infectious diseases consultation led to the diagnosis. The most likely mode of acquisition was from eating fresh or under cooked water plants including watercress salad. See Travel Health Report for further information.

Chikungunya in Papua New Guinea

Outbreaks of dengue fever and Chikungunya, both transmitted by mosquitoes, have been reported in recent years, with the first recorded outbreaks of Chikungunya being in 2012, the first descriptions coming from West Sepik (Sundaun) Province. Both virus infections are transmitted by daytime biting mosquitoes so travellers should take steps to avoid mosquito bites. See Fact Sheets and Travel Health Reports.

Novel Corona Virus Infection

A Qatari traveller returned from Saudi and developed an acute respiratory illness and kidney failure in September 2012. The illness was caused by a novel Corona virus. Illnesses caused by Corona viruses vary from the common cold to severe illness like SARS. Cases continue to be reported. See Fact Sheets and Travel Health Reports.

Contaminated acai juice risk for Chagas Disease

A recent outbreak of American trypanosomiasis (Chagas Disease) was reported from Para state Brazil. Contaminated fruit juices made from berries of acai and bacaba palms are thought to be the source. Eating contaminated food and drink was discovered to be a way of acquiring the disease in 2005. Adequate preparation of acai is required to avoid contamination. See Fact Sheets and Travel Health Reports.

Unusual parasitic illness in travellers returning from Malaysia

An unusual parasitic illness called Sarcocystis has been described in a few French travellers returning from Tioman Island in the middle of 2011. This illness causes a variety of symptoms, most prominent being fever, muscle pain, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and generalised symptoms. Symptoms usually occur a few weeks after exposure but tests may not become abnormal until over a month after exposure. See Travel Health Advisor Travel Health Reports for more information.

Ebola virus outbreak confirmed in Uganda & New Outbreak DRC

In July 2012 an outbreak of Ebola virus infection was confirmed in western Uganda (Kibaale District) with at least 20 cases (14 deaths) by late July. As at mid-August there have been 24 probable and confirmed cases cases (16 deaths). An isolation facility in Mulago Hospital is available. Ebola virus outbreaks occur episodically in Uganda. Risk for travellers is low but all travellers to Uganda should be on alert until the outbreak is contained. On 17 August 2012, WHO was notified of an Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republc of Congo (10 suspected cases and 6 deaths). See Travel Health Reports for further information and updates.

Sleeping Sickness in Tourists

Two European travellers have became unwell from Sleeping Sickness (Human African Trypanosomiasis or HAT) following visits to Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. This has focused attention on a parasitic illness (fatal if untreated) that most travellers to Africa rarely consider, until they get bitten by the insect that transmits the infection – the tsetse fly (Glossina species). WHO reports that, from 2000 to 2010 inclusive, there have been 94 cases of HAT reported in countries outside the endemic area. By far the largest percentage of these reported cases of East African Sleeping Sickness (caused by the parasite Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense) has been in tourists, who have often acquired it while on short trips especially to the Serengeti (Tanzania), but also to rural areas and game parks in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. A case from Zimbabwe was in a park ranger. See Fact Sheets and Travel Health Reports.or further information.

Greece and Malaria Cases

Malaria cases (P.vivax) are still occurring in Greece with at least 11 more locally acquired cases reported since June 2012. Originally, by October 2011, locally acquired P.vivax malaria cases were described from Evrotas (Lakonia District), Eastern Attiki, Evia, Viotia, Larissa, with most cases being from rural areas of Evrotas. Since then cases have been documented from other towns. While malaria cases have been described in persons entering Greece from malaria endemic areas, some cases have been acquired by persons who have not travelled to a malaria area, indicating that they acquired malaria in Greece. Travellers are advised to be vigilant with anti-mosquito measures and consider malaria in cases of fever. See Fact Sheets and Travel Health Reports for further information.

South Africa & Yellow Fever Requirements for Travel from Zambia

In the past there has been some debate as to whether the western provinces of Zambia are included in the yellow fever endemic zone. World Health Organisation advises that it is not. However some maps from other (usually older) sources include this region within the endemic zone. Since the Yellow Fever outbreak in Uganda, East African and other African countries have been on high alert. South Africa authorities proclaimed that will be requiring a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate from all persons travelling from Zambia to South Africa from 1 July 2011, unless there is a medical contraindication. See the personalised Travel Health Advisor Health Report for further information. This requirement was reversed on 21 July 2011 but appears to have been reinstated effective from 1 October 2011 - See Fact Sheets and Travel Health Reports for updates.

Chad Poliomyelitis Outbreak

Since 2007 there has been an ongoing outbreak of poliomyelitis in Chad. Cases are still being reported in Chad in 2011. This and previous outbreaks have been associated in the past with spread to other countries, including spread into Sudan between 2004 and 2006. See the personalised Travel Health Reports.for further information.

Philippines and Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia)

A recent outbreak of schistosomiasis in a Leyte town is a reminder that schistosomiasis is still endemic in parts of Philippines. See the personalised Travel Health Reports.for further information.

Germany Severe Illness caused by E.coli - Cases in other EU Countries

In May 2011, authorities were alerted to a number of cases of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a severe kidney disorder, occurring in Hamburg. Cases have snce been identified in other parts of Germany including Bavaria and now cases have been reported from other EU countries including Denmark, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, UK. HUS usually follows a gastroenteritis-like illness caused by a toxin-producing strain of E.coli, in this case EHEC strain 0104:H4. Most cases in Europe appear related to the outbreak in Germany where over 20 deaths and over 2000 cases have occurred. Cases have also occurred in North American travellers returning from Europe. See the personalised Travel Health Reports for further information.

More Chikungunya Cases Diagnosed in New Caledonia

Chikungunya cases continue to be detected in New Caledonia, as at 25 May 2011. This discovery follows on from the announcement by health authorities on Friday 25th February 2011 of the first case of acute chikungunya virus infection in New Caledonia, in a person travelling from Indonesia. Authorities advise the local population to be stringent with eliminating mosquito breeding sites. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Australia Torres Strait Islands Malaria Outbreak

Malaria cases have been reported on Saibai and Dauan in the Torres Strait, leading authorities to limit travel between Papua New Guinea and the Torres Strait Islands effective as of 28 March 2011. Travel that is covered by the Torres Strait Treaty will not be affected. Seven cases of malaria have been diagnosed on Saibai Island, with the last case diagnosed on 10 April 2011. The risk of spread of malaria to the mainland of Australia is low. Antimosquito measures are recommended for travellers to the region. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Hepatitis E in France from Uncooked Pig Liver Sausages

An outbreak of Hepatitis E has been reported in the first quarter of 2011 from Marseille in south eastern France, with most cases occurring from the end of February 2011. Of the initial 11 cases, 10 were males. Cases are thought to have been associated with consumption of uncooked pig liver sausages. Hepatitis E is a virus infection which has an incubation period of 2-9 weeks. With diagnosed illness there is a reported mortality rate of 1-4%. Infected pigs (because virus replicates in their liver) are a reservoir for the virus. Following this discovery, health authorities now require that producers label pig liver sausages with a warning advising the sausages must be cooked thoroughly. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Malaria in Swaziland

April 2011, health authorities advise of a malaria outbreak in the Sidvwashini region of Northern Hhohho and surrounding areas of Masutaneni, Ngonini and Nya-katfo. It is thought cases relate to travellers infected with malaria returning from neighbouring malaria countries. Local transmission in Swaziland is thereafter likely due to the presence of Anopheline mosquitoes in Swaziland. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak in Dundee Scotland

As at 25 March 2011, health authorities advise of more than 60 persons having an illness thought to be Legionnaires' Disease after suspected exposure to the Legionella bacterium at the Landmark Dundee four star hotel. The hotel's leisure centre is the focus of public health investigations. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

East Africa on Yellow Fever Alert

The Yellow Fever outbreak in Uganda has placed health authorities in Kenya and Tanzania on alert. Travellers should be aware that immigration authorities will be checking Yellow Fever vaccination status upon entry into both Kenya and Tanzania, with the possibility that travellers without a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate may be vaccinated "on the spot" upon entering Tanzania or Kenya. Reports indicate that authorities are requesting valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificates for entry into Zanzibar. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Ackee Fruit Poisoning in Jamaica

Health authorities, February 2011, advise of an increase in deaths and sickness in Jamaica in the last 3 months from ackee fruit poisoning. Ackee is a fruit related to the lychee and longan. It is widely used in local cuisine. Illness is caused by a substance in the fruit (especially unripe fruit) called hypoglycin which cause dangerously low blood glucose and an illness associated with abdominal pain, diarrhea and often severe vomiting. There are no reports of travellers being affected to date but travellers should be aware to report any episodes of severe gastroenteritis or drowsiness. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Australia Floods Cyclones & Disease Risk including Dengue

Following the floods & cyclone in Queensland a number of reports are filtering through about disease risks and outbreaks. The following diseases can potentially increase due to damage and disruption caused, problems with safe water and population movements and during clean up, but risk for some like mosquito borne diseases may not impact until after the recovery period : diarrhoeal diseases, illnesses related to injury like serious skin and soft tissue infections, or leptospirosis, an infection caused by bacteria often found in water contaminated by urine from rats and cattle in particular. There is expected to be an increase in cases of dengue. This unpleasant viral disease can cause fever, rash and joint pains. Rarely, it can be fatal. There is no specific cure. Treatment is given to relieve symptoms. In dengue especially one should avoid the use of aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medications as they may aggravate bleeding tendencies caused by the disease. Use paracetamol instead. Dengue virus is transmitted by daytime biting mosquitoes so travellers should take steps to avoid mosquito bites. See Travel Health Advisor Fact Sheet. Outbreaks of dengue fever, a viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes, have been reported in recent years. Cases of dengue fever have been reported in North Queensland in recent years including popular tourist spots like Cairns, Port Douglas, Townsville and other parts of Far North Queensland. Cases are often highest during and after the rainy/monsoon season.Cases have been detected following the floods and cyclone in Innisfail (February 2011). See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Ivory Coast (Cote D'Ivoire)

A Yellow Fever outbreak was notified on 3 January 2011 in the north of Cote D'Ivoire. As of January 2011, more than 60 cases (more than 20 deaths) have occurred in 12 districts in Beoumi and Katiola districts (central region) and Worodougou region (north) of the country. There is concern about spread to other parts of the country. Health authorities wil be implementing a mass vaccination program against Yellow Fever, proposed start date is 22 January 2011, in Beoumi, Katiola, Makono & Seguela districts. Travellers are reminded to be in date for Yellow Fever vaccination for travel to Cote D'Ivoire and other Yellow Fever endemic countries. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Bali & Legionnaire's Disease

West Australian health authorities reported two cases of severe pneumonia caused by Legionnaires' Disease in travellers returning from Bali. At that stage (August 30 2010) it was not certain where they were exposed to the bacteria. Since then, by January 2011, further cases have been reported in travellers returning to Western Australia and Victoria. 11 cases have been notified in total to date. Of 10 cases, 9 have stayed at the same hotel in Kuta Beach (The Ramayama Resort & Spa) but most had also visited the same local shopping centre. Legionnaires' Disease is caused by a bacterium that is spread in aerosols (very small water particles) often from heated or warm water such as seen with hot tubs, jacuzzis and water misting devices. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Uganda Outbreak Confirmed as Yellow Fever

An illness that commenced in northern Uganda in early November 2010 has been confirmed as Yellow Fever. As of January 2011, more than 200 cases (more than 50 deaths) have occurred in 12 districts in northern Uganda. There is concern about spread to other parts fo the country. Health authorities wil be implementing a mass vaccination program against Yellow Fever, proposed start date is 22 January 2011. Travellers are reminded to be in date for Yellow Fever vaccination for travel to Uganda and other Yellow Fever endemic countries. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Hong Kong Raises Bird Flu Level to "Serious" after Bird Flu - Avian A/(H5N1) Influenza Case Detected

As at 17 November 2010, China Health Authorities advise of a case of H5N1 in Hong Kong that was detected in a 59 year old female who is thought to have acquired the infection while travelling in mainland China where she visited a poultry market. The last case in China was in Hubei Province in June 2010, where the patient died but no other human cases were reported. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Cholera in Papua New Guinea

As of 30 November 2010, the large outbreak of cholera that commenced in Daru in Western Province in October 2010 has spread to mainland areas of Western Province. Travel from Daru to Australian Torres Strait Islands is being restricted by Australian authorities to prevent spread. Since September 2009, when the first outbreak of cholera was confirmed in Morobe Province, cholera has spread to other parts of PNG. Vaccination is recommended for humanitarian & aid workers & persons in close contact with local populations, but be aware that safe food & water precautions are paramount in cholera prevention. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Cholera in Haiti

The cause of the disease outbreak in the central rural region of Artibonite was confirmed as cholera and, as of 12 November 2010, the outbreak had spread to other parts of Haiti including the capital, Port au Prince, and one of the main offshore islands (La Gonave). At 30 November 2010, the outbreak was widespread with over 70,000 cases and almost 2,000 deaths having been reported since the outbreak was first detected in mid-October 2010. Vaccination is recommended for humanitarian & aid workers & persons in close contact with local populations, but be aware that safe food & water precautions are paramount in cholera prevention. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Cholera in Pakistan

Health authorities advise that flood affected provinces of Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported laboratory-confirmed cases of cholera following the flooding. Vaccination is recommended for humanitarian & aid workers & persons in close contact with local populations, but be aware that safe food & water precautions are paramount in cholera prevention. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Bird Flu Cases in Java (Indonesia)

Two recent laboratory confirmed cases have been notified from Java. Both died. One, in August 2010, a 35 year old male in West Jakarta likely contracted the infection from dead birds around his house. The other, in September 2010, a 40 year old female in Kota Depok, West Java, likely acquired the infection at a live bird market. Of 170 cases of H5N1 notified from Indonesia, 141 have been fatal. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Chikungunya Outbreak in China (South Guangdong Province)

Local health authorities advise that, at 8 October 2010, just over 200 cases of Chikungunya virus infection have occurred in persons in Xinchun community (Dongguan City) in Wanjiang District. Almost 40 cases have been confirmed with serology tests. Chikungunya virus infection is spread by mosquitoes and causes illness with fever, body aches, rash and arthritis. It can be difficult to distinguish from Dengue without performing the specific blood tests. outbreaks usually occur in tropical areas of Africa, Asia and South East Asia. Prevention is by anti-mosquito measures. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Rabies Outbreak in Bali

A rabies outbreak was identified in Bali and adjacent islands in mid-2008. The first incident involved a Flores man who was bitten by a dog apparently imported to Bali from Flores. He did not die from rabies until January 2009, but at least 5 deaths occurred before his death (4 in Ungasan and 1 in Kutuh, with 3 of these cases being children aged less than 5 years). Since then, by early October 2010, around 100 human deaths had been identified, with unofficial reports placing the number of deaths even higher than this figure. Rabid dogs have been found in and around popular tourist resorts. Deaths in humans living near tourist areas have been reported. Bali was previously regarded as free of rabies. This ongoing outbreak means that Bali is unlikely to be regarded as rabies-free for many years, if ever. Rabies is a viral infection usually spread by the saliva of infected animals. It is fatal once symptoms begin. Pre-exposure vaccination is recommended for long-stay travellers, those remote from medical help (>24 hours), and animal handlers. All travellers must seek prompt post-exposure vaccines if bitten/scratched. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Cholera Outbreak Sweeping Through Central Africa

WHO advises that, at 3 October 2010, over 40,000 cholera cases (almost 2,000 deaths) have occurred in the region, with Cameroon, Chad, Niger & Nigeria being the countries most affected. Flooding with the rainy season, poor hygienic conditions and population movements have been blamed for the greater than usual number of cases. Food and water precautions are essential for prevention of cholera but an oral cholera vaccine (Dukoral) is available for travellers who are at risk. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Yellow Fever in Senegal

On 20 September 2010, Senegal Health Authorities reported a susected case of Yellow Fever in Mbour health district (Thies region). This is about 50km from Dakar. The case was a 27 year old fisherman who was working in Gambia (Tandji). A second suspected case with the same exposure was also reported. This is just another reminder to travellers that West Africa is a high risk region for Yellow Fever. Prevention is by vaccination. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Polio in Angola & Democratic Republic of the Congo

WHO advises that, at 8 September 2010, outbreaks of polio are continuing to occur in these two countries. The causative strain is the wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1). The outbreak in Angola commenced in April 2007 and has spread to DR Congo. A case in Burundi in 2009 was linked to the same outbreak. WHO regards the polio situation in Central Africa as the greatest impediment to being able to eradicate polio from Africa. Previous problem areas have had no ongoing outbreaks eg West Africa (no cases since 1 May 2010) and Horn of Africa (no cases for more than 12 months), but continued surveillance is essential to ensure that new cases are not missed. Travellers to countries where polio still occurs, or to countries bordering on such countries, should be in date for polio vaccination. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.

Pandemic Influenza A/H1N1 Vaccine

As of 30 September 2009, a vaccine that induces protective immunity against the pandemic Influenza A/H1N1 vaccine became available and is free. Australian health authorities advise that all travellers should be vaccinated with this influenza vaccine, or a seasonal influenza vaccine that contains the pandemic H1N1 vaccine strain, prior to travelling overseas, provided there are no contraindications. See the personalised Travel Health Reports and Fact Sheets for further information.