Disease Outbreaks For Travelers to Watch Out For Right Now

[Karen Barraclough]

UGANDA
26/05/11 Ebola haemorrhagic fever (update) A further two deaths suspected to be due to Ebola haemorrhagic fever are under investigation in Luwero district, Central Region of Uganda. This is the same area where the first confirmed death due to ebolavirus infection occurred. Another suspected case of ebolavirus infection is being investigated in hospital in Kasese district, Western Region of Uganda. The Ministry of Health plans to launch a national awareness campaign on Ebola haemorrhagic fever; this is the 3rd outbreak in Uganda within the last 3 years.Map of Uganda (Via ProMED-Mail 2011)

 

PAKISTAN
25/05/11 Poliomyelitis (update) - Two new polio cases have been reported in the last week, bringing the total number of case for 2011, to 38. The most recent case was from Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and had onset of paralysis on 20 April 2011. (Via WHO Global Polio Eradication Initiative at:http://www.polioeradication.org/ (Accessed 25/05/11)) .

 

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
24/05/11 Cholera (update) - The cholera outbreak in Dominican Republic is not yet under control. Health officials report that new cases continue to be reported from 28 of the country´s 32 provinces. It is anticipated that cases may increase with the onset of the hurricane season in June. The Health Minister reports a total of 1143 cholera cases and 14 deaths since the outbreak began in November 2010. (Via proMED-Mail 2011)

 

SEYCHELLES
20/05/11: Chikungunya (excluded) - The Seychelles Ministry of Health does not have a record of any persons contracting chikungunya virus in the country. Seychelles has not registered any confirmed case of chikungunya since 2006. Earlier this year (2011), there were a few clinical suspicions, but tests carried out in a laboratory overseas confirmed that they were not chikungunya (virus infections).  (Via ProMED-Mail 2011)

 

THAILAND
16/05/11 Dengue Fever - The Ministry of Health have advised that from the beginning of this year to 10 May 2011, there have been 9 418 dengue fever patients nationwide and 7 fatalities. The central region has the most infections so far with 5 244 plus one death, followed by the South with 1 796 patients and two deaths. Provinces most prone to dengue fever include Krabi, Samut Sakhon, Satun, Songkhla, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Sawan, Chon Buri and Trat.

 

INDONESIA
11/05/11 Rabies (update) - A 16 year old youth was reported to have died of suspected rabies-related disease at Buleleng Regional Hospital on Thursday (5 May 2011), adding to the island´s 147 victims of rabies since the deadly disease emerged in November 2008. The head of the province´s Health Agency, said that dog bite cases in Bali remained high, with 130 cases per day despite the province´s ambitious target to eliminate its rabies outbreak by the end of 2012. (Via ProMED-Mail 2011)