On March 24, 2011, a magnitude-6.8 earthquake occurred in eastern Burma, near the Lao and Thai borders. Casualties have been reported. Damage to buildings and roads has been reported in Shan State. Travelers should avoid affected areas and monitor the situation through local and/or international media.
According to the Chilean Ministry of Health there has been an increase in meningococcal meningitis cases since August 2012. A meningococcal vaccination campaign has been launched for children aged 9 months to 4 years. There have been more than 90 cases, including 21 deaths, reported mostly in the Metropolitan and Valparaiso regions. The incidence report is…
Demonstrations are occurring throughout Iraq. The International Zone in Baghdad may be the focus of the demonstrations. Travelers should avoid large crowds and demonstrations and monitor the situation through local media.
According to China’s Ministry of Health, 1 confirmed case of human infection with H5N1 avian influenza has been reported from Shenzhen, Guangdong Province (north of Hong Kong) since December 2011. This is the first human case in China in 18 months despite an ongoing poultry reservoir. Since 2005, 40 cases of human infection with H5N1…
According to the Ministry of Health in Papua New Guinea, there have been 14 confirmed cases of chikungunya in the Sandaun Province since June 2012. These are the first cases to be reported, however there are more cases suspected. Since chikungunya is transmitted by mosquitoes, travelers are advised to use insect precautions day and night.
According to international health authorities, 2 confirmed cases of pneumonic plague have been reported from remote villages near Ambilobe and Ambanja in typically non-endemic Antsiranana Province since January 2011. Pneumonic plague is transmitted through inhalation of infective respiratory droplets. Risk to travelers is minimal. Full details of any further possible spread beyond these patients is…
According to WHO, one confirmed case of poliovirus type 1 has been reported in Gabon since January 2011. The last reported case of polio in Gabon was in 1996. One clinical case often represents hundreds of asymptomatic infections in the population. Shoreland recommends 1 adult booster of polio vaccine for travelers to Gabon (in addition…