According to the Hawaii State Department of Health, 4 locally acquired (2 laboratory-confirmed and 2 suspected) cases of dengue fever were reported in late February 2011 in the Pearl City area of Honolulu, Oahu. This is the first report of local cases in Hawaii since 2002. There is no indication of sustained dengue transmission at this time; however, travelers are advised to practice daytime insect precautions pending more information on the nature of this outbreak.
The Public Health Agency of Canada advises travellers going to warm winter destinations to practise safe food and water precautions and good hand hygiene while travelling abroad. In the last month, there have been a number of reports of travellers returning to Canada from warm winter destinations complaining of symptoms including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea….
According to WHO, 65 confirmed cases of wild poliovirus have been reported in Chad since January 2011. Cases have been reported in N’Djamena, southern areas bordering Central African Republic and Cameroon, and eastern regions including areas bordering Sudan. One clinical case often represents hundreds of asymptomatic infections in the population. One adult booster of polio…
According to Western Australia’s Department of Health, more than 900 cases of Ross River fever, a significant increase over average incidence, have been reported throughout the state since December 2011. After an acute febrile illness, joint pain may persist for a year or more in up to 50% of cases. Travelers are advised to practice…
According to French health authorities, the Seychelles’ Ministry of Health has reported 1 confirmed case and 23 suspected cases of chikungunya in Mahe so far this year. These are the first reported cases in Seychelles since 2007. Chikungunya is an arboviral infection, transmitted by mosquitoes. Travelers are advised to practice daytime and nighttime insect precautions.
Authorities in Japan have declared a nuclear emergency following the loss of power to ten nuclear reactor units in three separate nuclear power plants (Onagawa, Fukushima Daiichi and Fukiushima Daini). The cooling systems at both Daiichi and Daini experienced problems. Daiichi experienced explosions in three units (Nos. 1, 2 and 3) and a fire has…
According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Health, more than 21,000 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), a significant increase over the average incidence, have been reported throughout the country since January 2012. The most affected provinces include the northern provinces of Hai Phong, Lao Cai, Vinh Phuc, Hoa Binh; the central provinces of Da…