Travel Health News
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Malaria in Goa
January 30 2007
After two years with no reports of malaria in Goa, india, there have been 8 Europeans diagnosed with malaria since late November 06. Travellers are advised to take extra precautions against mosquitoes and may need to take medication to prevent malaria.
More info...
Rift Valley Fever in Kenya
January 30 2007
This viral disease usually carried by mosquitoes or contact with livestock, has caused 32 cases and 19 deaths in remote parts of Kenya - for more info see
More info...
Chikungunyah Fever outbreak in India and SE Asia
December 05 2006
Measles in the news in Germany
21 May 2006
Recent media reports advising visitors to the world cup to have measles vaccines are an important reminder that measles is still prevalent in the world, and travellers need to be protected. Measles is not a trival disease. In the year 2003, 530,000 people worldwide are reported to have died from measles.
The situation in Germany is that there have been 1100 cases of measles recently reported over a 10 week period in the province of North Rhine - Westphalia. This province is hosting 6 world cup football matches from 9th June - 9th July 2006 along with a semifinal. The gathering of many fans makes it easy for the virus to spread. Measles is highly contagious via airborne droplets. If they are susceptible, a person who enters a room one hour after a measles case has left can be infected. The contagious period for measles lasts about a week and many sufferers do not realise they are contagious. Measles is contagious from 4 days before the rash appears until after the rash is gone.
The measles being reported is the ‘usual measles’ not the german measles.
For the record The name german measles has nothing to do with Germany. It comes from the Latin germanus, meaning "similar", since rubella and measles share many symptoms - fever, and spots etc.
All travellers need to ensure they are covered for the measles no matter what country they are visiting. Many travelers are surprised to know that one vaccine in childhood is not enough. Vaccination requires two shots. Many persons born after 1966 in Australia have had only one vaccine and are at risk of contracting the disease if exposed. Measles is a very severe disease in adult life and during this recent german epidemic 15% of cases required hospital admission. A blood test is available to see if you are covered if you are not sure.
If you are travelling overseas and are not sure about your immunity, consult Dr Deb on 3221 9066 to make sure you are adequately protected from this and many other serious diseases.
Asian Tsunamis
Rabies Vaccine Recall Info And Updates
Bird Flu Info And Updates
SARS Info And Updates
May 1 2004
Four cases of SARS have been reported in China. All cases can be traced to a single laboratory in Beijing and there is no
spread in the general community.
The recent small outbreak of SARS in China is a timely reminder for all travellers to Asia to make sure they have had the southern hemisphere
influenza vaccine for 2004.
While there is no protection against SARS there is good protection against the likely flu viruses circulating this winter.
Thermal imaging is still very much a feature of quarantine in many Asian airports and if we can eliminate or reduce illnesses that may present like
SARS then it should be undertaken.
Further information can be soughtt from any Travel Doctor clinic or the following web site:
General Travel health News
The following sites are excellent sources for the latest travel health news:
- Department Of Foreign Affairs: Consular travel advisories for many countries, including political, social and medical issues that may impact on travellers to those countries.
- US Centre For Disease Control: US Centre for Disease Control: This site has a comprehensive list of health information for travellers including briefing on country requirements and travel diseases.
