travel health news

Travel Health News

Welcome to our monthly update on disease outbreaks around the world, assembled by Lead Nurse JO THOMPSON. And if you or your team is travelling soon, explore all the ways Jo and the team can keep you fit and well here.

Oropouche Virus Disease

  • Oropouche Fever is caused by Oropouche Virus which is transmitted by midges and mosquitoes. Large outbreaks can occur, mainly in Central and South America and the Caribbean. During 2024, Brazil has been most severely affected but outbreaks have been reported in Bolivia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama and Peru. As of 13 December 2024, a total of 13,014 confirmed cases, including two deaths, have been reported in the Americas Region since the start of 2024. 
  • Symptoms typically start 4-8 days after being bitten, and can include fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pain, dizziness, stomach pain, vomiting, rash or sensitivity to light.
  • Most people recover after a week without any long-term effects. Severe illness is very rare but can result in meningitis or encephalitis. 
  • Prevention includes general mosquito bite avoidance. Treatment is limited to supportive measures. 
  • Pregnant ladies should discuss the potential risks of their travel plans with their health care provider. 
  • More information here. (Travel health Pro)

Marburg Virus in Rwanda – END of outbreak

  • On the 20th December 2024, the World Health Organisation reported the end of the recent outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease in Rwanda. From the beginning of the outbreak on 27th September to 19th December, there were 66 confirmed cases including 15 deaths.
  • Marburg Virus Disease is a type of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (VHF). Humans may become infected from direct contact with the reservoir host, African fruit bats or from direct contact or droplet spread from an infected human.
  • The risk to travellers becoming infected is extremely low.
  • Travellers returning from a Marburg outbreak area should seek rapid medical attention by phone for advice prior to attending medical facilities if they develop fever and have returned within 21 days from an outbreak area or/and had contact with individuals infected with a VHF. 
  • More information here. 

Mpox Outbreak continues

  • Mpox occurs mainly in Central and West Africa. Transmission between people occurs through close skin to skin contact (including during sexual contact with someone who is unwell) or through droplets spread during close contact with an infected person. Infection also results from touching or eating infected animals (primarily rodents/bushmeat) and monkeys.
  • Prior to 2024, Clade 1 Mpox had only been reported in 5 countries in Central Africa. However, recent cases in additional countries within Central and East Africa mark the first known expansion of this geographical range, heightened the risk of spread beyond the region.
  • As of the 29th November 2024, the UK Health Security Agency has reported a total of 5 confirmed Clade 1b Mpox cases since October 2024. Some had direct household contact and others had visited Africa where Clade 1b was circulating. 
  • If you are travelling to affected areas, practise careful hand hygiene especially when visiting or caring for ill friends or relatives. Avoid contact with monkeys and rodents (rats, mice and squirrels) and avoid eating undercooked meat from these animals. 
  • Seek medical advice during or up to 21 days after travelling if you develop symptoms (high temperature, headaches, flu-like symptoms, swollen glands) and you have had close contact with someone who may have Mpox or have returned from an affected area. 
  • Most patients experience a mild illness with spontaneous and complete recovery seen within 3 weeks of onset. However, severe illness can occur and sometimes result in death. The risk of severe disease is higher in children, pregnant women and severely immunocompromised individuals. 
  • A rash or pus-filled lesions then usually appear 1 to 5 days after the first symptoms. The rash often begins on the face, then spreads to other parts of the body.
  • Routine pre-travel vaccination for Mpox is not generally recommended. However, vaccination is available and may be appropriate for certain humanitarian workers who go to affected countries to work within the Mpox response or at sites with active outbreaks following a risk assessment. Please speak to your local travel clinic for further advice. 
  • Here is our blog on Mpox

HMPV in China

  • We’re aware of media reports of increasing cases of Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) in China’s northern provinces. It is a respiratory virus that was first identified in 2001. It is a common cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, especially in children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals. It spreads through respiratory droplets when someone infected coughs or sneezes. It can also be transmitted by direct contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.
  • We’re monitoring the situation and global health sources for accurate and verified information. The general perspective is the virus is neither new nor poses an unusual threat to global health. It is common in winter and generally causes mild cold-like symptoms.
  • Symptoms range from mild to severe and include a cough, runny or congested nose, sore throat and fever. In severe cases: wheezing, shortness of breath, and pneumonia. In vulnerable populations, hMPV can lead to serious respiratory complications.
  • There is no specific antiviral treatment. Managing symptoms involves drinking fluids, simple fever and pain management, and in severe cases, supplemental oxygen. Prevention measures include good general hygiene practices, and covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

We can offer vaccines, vaccine reviews, remote consultations and face to face appointments at our travel health clinic in London. Please email info@thrive-worldwide.org for any assistance or check out our services here.

Information from Travel Health Pro, World Health Organisation, Travax, Fit for Travel

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