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.

Mpox outbreak

• The World Health Organisation has announced that the current outbreak of Mpox in African countries is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) with potential to spread to other countries in and outside Africa. 
• There have been reports in 13 African countries with a total of 14719 cases (including 517 deaths) from 1 January 2024 to 9 August 2024. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reported the highest rate of 16,789 cases and 511 deaths. 
• This variant (Clade 1) circulating in DRC is more transmissible and more severe than the 2022 variant with about 6% of people who get this type of Mpox dying from it – compared to 0.2% death rate for the 2022 strain.  This outbreak in Goma, has sparked fears of more human to human transmission in an urban setting. 
• Monkeypox 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 droplet spread during close contact with an infected person. Infection also results from touching or eating infected animals (primarily rodents) and monkeys.
• If you are travelling to affected areas, you should 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 for 21 days after travelling if you develop symptoms of monkeypox (high temperature, headaches, flu-like symptoms, swollen glands) and had close contact with someone who may have monkeypox or have returned from an affected area. 
• Here is our blog on Mpox

Zika Virus in India and Thailand

• In India, there have been 81 reported cases (including 4 deaths) of Zika up to the 8th August 2024. 32 of these cases have been pregnant women.
• In Thailand, there have been 181 cases (no deaths) across 31 provinces in 2024. 
• Zika Virus infection is spread mainly by day time biting mosquitoes (between dawn to dusk). The Mosquitoes are particularly persistent and aggressive biters.
• If you are travelling to a country that has reported Zika infection then avoid mosquito bites by using precautions, especially if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy. 
• Using contraception (condoms) on your return home for 2 months (for females) or 3 months (for males): this is to avoid sexual transmission of Zika and the risk of Zika in pregnancy.
• Travel insurance – if you are pregnant, check with your travel insurance company that you (and your baby) are covered under the policy before booking your trip and be aware that the risk of Zika in any country may change during the time between planning your trip and travelling. 
• More information on Zika here.

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