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.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to Burkina Faso due to the unpredictable security situation. Civil unrest and demonstrations have been occurring in Burkina Faso since February 2011. Some demonstrations have led to violence, looting, and clashes between police and demonstrators. A 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew is currently in…
The World Health Organization has confirmed a significant increase of dengue fever cases in the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. There have been 195 confirmed cases of dengue in the Solomon Islands and 69 confirmed cases of dengue in Tuvalu since January 2014. There is no vaccination to prevent dengue fever. This type of mosquito is…
The first cholera outbreak in Cuba was reported in July 2012 by Cuban health authorities. Since Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, press sources have reported hundreds of cases of cholera throughout the country. Cholera vaccine is available in many countries, excluding the US, but is not currently recommended for travelers. Travelers are advised to use…
According to the European Center for Disease Control, the first report of dengue fever continues, there are now 37 confirmed cases of dengue fever on the island of Madeira (there are also 262 probable cases). For further information please see previous post Dengue Fever: Madeira
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 year’s flu season has started early, the present strains circulating are consisting of a mutation strain of A(H3N2). Canada, Europe and the US have reported almost exclusively the circulation of influenza A(H3N2), flu seasons dominated by this strain tend to be severe. The current vaccine strain in this year’s flu vaccine (A/Texas H3N2) will not protect against this mutated strain….