London Travel Vaccination Clinic – Daily Update 22 May 2014

Daily Update 22 May 2014 from Destination Health: Travel Vaccination Clinic in London.

South Sudan

The Cholera outbreak that started in Juba in South Sudan continues to spread throughout the region. Around ten people have reported to have died and hundreds of other cases have been confirmed. The outbreak has started as a result of poor sanitary conditions associated with overcrowding in camps from people fleeing the fighting in the country.

Bosnia & Herzegovina

The recent flooding that has occurred in southern Europe which has resulted in a number of deaths is now threatening additional concerns. The heavy rains have caused landslides which have potentially unearthed unexploded land mines. Raw sewerage, dead animals and other waste materials are also polluting the water which will increase the risk of infectious diseases now that the temperatures are beginning to rise.

Nigeria

Six medical staff at a teaching hospital in Abakaliki, south eastern Nigeria have tested positive for Lassa fever. It is a viral hemorrhagic fever and symptoms include muscle soreness, conjunctivitis and mucosal bleeding. Lassa fever outbreaks occur frequently throughout West Africa and is spread by mice that have come into contact with human faeces. The fever kills around 5,000 people each year and results in death in about 15% of those that contract the disease.

Chile

Two people have reported to have died from the Meningitis W-135 strain in the Quilpué Region of Chile. Travellers to this region should consider vaccination for Meningitis.

Liberia

Two health workers have died as a result of treating patients following the recent outbreak of Ebola in Liberia. Workers groups have called on governments in the region to formulate policies and education to help safeguard health workers in the future.

Brazil

One person has died from suspected Dengue Fever in the town of Missal in western Paraná Brazil. There is currently no vaccination against Dengue Fever which is also known as break bone fever which causes severe joint and muscle pain in those infected with the disease. Travellers to this region are advised to practice mosquito avoidance measures, including covering up exposed skin and using insect repellant to avoid being infected with this disease.

Saudi Arabia

A further four cases and one death have been confirmed in the outbreak of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Saudi Arabia in the last 24 hours. There have been over 500 confirmed cases and over 150 deaths since the outbreak began and it has now spread throughout the region including Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates. Travellers should avoid crowded areas where there is a high risk of contracting this illness through coming into contact with someone who is infected with the disease.

St. Kitts and Nevis

There have been over 20 confirmed cases of the Chikungunya Virus in St. Kitts. The outbreak is rapidly spreading across the region and there have so far been over 45,000 confirmed cases across the Caribbean. There is currently no vaccination against Chikungunya Fever which is spread by daytime biting mosquitos and travellers are advised to try and avoid being bitten by covering exposed skin and using DEET 50% insect repellant.