Last Updated June 20, 2008

June 19, 2008
DENGUE FEVER cases reported in YEMEN / PERU / NEW CALEDONIA / COLOMBIA / ECUADOR / VENEZUELA / INDIA / THAILAND / CAMBODIA / COOK ISLANDS / EL SALVADORE / COSTA RICA / HONDURAS / JAMAICA / BARBADOS / NICARAGUA / INDONESIA / MALAYSIA / BRAZIL / SINGAPORE / BURMA / PARAGUAY / TAIWAN / PAKISTAN / CUBA / PUERTO RICO / PHILIPPINES / VIETNAM / MEXICO
June 2008 -- Brazil is currently experiencing a Dengue Fever epidemic, primarily in Rio de Janeiro where there are 80,400 cases and 66 dead and in the entire state of Rio there are a total of more than 155,985 cases and 110 deaths , Sao Paulo reports 1043 cases, the rest of the country has experienced 51,261 cases with 43 deaths have been reported so far in 2008. Colombia reports 42,536 cases in 2007 and Ecuador reported 1600 cases for the same time period. Two of the more deadly forms of dengue fever and DHF (Den 2 & Den 3) have resurfaced in Malaysia with 9889 cases and 26 deaths in '08. Record numbers of dengue cases are occurring globally in all tropical and sub-tropical regions (Yemen with 1000+ cases and 5 dead in '08, Peru with 7391 cases in '08; New Caledonia with 320 cases in '08; Mexico, 67,562 cases; Jamaica, 1770 cases, 50 in the past few weeks with 4 deaths; Barbados, 592 cases; Paraguay 28,000 confirmed cases and 13 deaths; Venezuela 100,000+ cases with 40+ deaths; Costa Rica with 25,000 cases and 8 deaths; Honduras with 29,112 cases and 15 dead; Puerto Rico with 2343 cases; Thailand 14,000+ cases and 9 dead in '08; Philippines 10,785 cases with 14 dead in '08; Dominican Republic 6000 cases and 30 dead; Indonesia 14,729 + cases and 60 dead in '08; Singapore 2472 cases with 2 deaths; Taiwan, 511 cases; Burma with 8,445 cases and 98 dead; Vietnam with 13,000 new cases in the south in April/May; Cambodia with over 40,000 cases and 407 dead as of July '07). Spread by the daytime biting Aedes Aegypti mosquito, there is no vaccine to prevent the disease. Visitors are strongly urged to use repellents containing DEET on exposed skin and Permethrin on clothing, bedding and mosquito netting and to wear light-weight long sleeve shirts and pants when outdoors.

June 19, 2008
MENINGITIS - SUDAN / INDIA
June 2008 -- A recent outbreak of meningitis in Southern Sudan has infected more than 11,786 people killing 704. Meningitis is endemic to most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. This has been a long standing problem in India, especially in the Calcutta, Nadia and Murshidabad districts. Vaccination prior to travel is recommended for travelers to these areas. (Note: current vaccines are extremely effective.)

June 19, 2008
YELLOW FEVER cases reported in CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC / ECUADOR / TANZANIA / LIBERIA / PERU / ARGENTINA / PARAGUAY / BRAZIL / CAMEROON / SUDAN
June 2008 -- The Central African Republic states there have been 2 confirmed cases in the country in mid-May '08. Ecuador, the CDC recommends a Yellow Fever vaccine in the following areas; Amazon Basin, Morana-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Sucumbios, and Zamora-Chinchipe. Tanzania has just re-instated a requirement for Yellow Fever Vaccination prior to entry into the country as of 21 Apr. 2008. Liberia reports a second case and death in April '08. Peru reports 20 cases and 3 deaths in the Amazonas & Picota Departments. Argentina has one death and 6 confirmed cases in the Misiones province. In Paraguay there have been 24 cases and 8 deaths since the beginning of 2008. Brazil has 112 confirmed cases and 55 deaths so far in 2008, the government of Brazil is recommending all travelers to; Brasilia DF, or the states of Maranhao, Piaui, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Espirito Santo, Sao Paulo, Parana, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande de Sul; get the Yellow Fever vaccine prior to travel. Yellow Fever is a mosquito born disease found in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Amazon region of South America. This disease can be prevented with vaccination. Anyone traveling to a yellow fever zone needs to be protected, so get vaccinated.

June 16, 2008
ANTHRAX cases reported in INDIA (Orissa) / KYRGYZSTAN / GHANA (Upper East)
June 2008 -- The Orissa area of India reports 35 cases and 1 death in May '08. Kyrgyzstan reports 6 cases with 2 deaths in May '08. This is an ENDEMIC region for Anthrax which reports 3 deaths in April 2008.

June 4, 2008
CHIKUNGUNYA cases reported in INDIA (Gujarat, Bangalore, Kerala)
June 2008 -- India reports over 50,000 people have already been treated in '08 with an additional 2300 new cases in the April/May time frame; healthcare experts are on red alert due to unusually high numbers of breeding mosquitoes. Chikungunya is a viral disease spread to humans by the aggressive daytime biting Aedes Aegypti mosquito. Travelers are advised to use insect repellents containing DEET for exposed skin and Pemethrin on outer clothing.

June 4, 2008
CHOLERA cases reported in BANGLADESH / MALAWI / ZAMBIA / NAMIBIA / KENYA / UGANDA / VIETNAM / DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / NIGER / SENEGAL / SOMALIA / ANGOLA
June 2008 -- Bangladesh reports over 5300 cases nation wide with over 300 per day in the Dhaka area during April. Malawi reports 291 cases and 8 dead in Mar. '08. Zambia reports 98 cases i the northern province during May '08; Namibia reports 2168 cases with 13 dead so far in 2008. Kenya has had 1217 cases and 59 deaths so far in '08. Uganda reports 71 cases and 4 dead just during May 2008. Vietnam reports 2490 cases (377 confirmed cholera cases) with 3 dead in 10 provinces during March/April '08. The Congo, D.R., reports 5483 cases and 120 dead in the 1st 7 weeks of '08 with increasing numbers through to June. In Somalia, there are 676 cases with 83 deaths during the last two weeks in Feb. '08. Senegal has had 2231 cases with 12 dead in '08. Niger has had 13,276 cases with 6 dead in '08. Angola has had 4500 cases with 150 dead so far in '08. Follow the food and water precautions covered in the travel consultations.

June 1, 2008
PLAGUE cases reported in CONGO, D.R. / UGANDA
June 2008 -- The Congo, D.R. reports 20 cases with 5 dead in the northeast region so far in '08. Uganda reports 160 cases with 19 dead in '08. This is a disease spread primarily through flea bites, so don't forget to use your insect repellents.

June 1, 2008
LEPTOSPIROSIS cases reported in DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
June 2008 -- There have been at least 200 cases with over 25 dead from this water borne disease. It enters the blood stream through an opening in the skin and damages the major organs of the body. Remember, don't swim in the fresh water, it usually isn't.

June 1, 2008
LEPROSY cases reported in INDONESIA
June 2008 -- The East Flores Regency reports 74 cases with 20 in serious condition. This is a very poor and rural area. Be sure good hygiene habits are followed during your trip.

June 1, 2008
PERTUSSIS cases reported in USA
June 2008 -- Wisconsin has had 32 confirmed cases. Get the Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis vaccination the next time you need your Tetanus booster and protect yourself.

June 1, 2008
RABIES cases reported in VIETNAM / INDIA / RUSSIA / ANGOLA / CHINA (Beijing/Shanghai)
June 2008 -- World wide there are approximately 55,000 deaths per year. Vietnam reports 81 dead so far in '08 and 5.9 million exposure cases over the past ten years. Health officials in India continue to report thousands of dog bites and a lack if HRIG (a portion of the post exposure treatment) in most health care facilities. With nearly a million unvaccinated stray dogs and cats, Hunan Province, Beijing and Shanghai (China) are under a threat of a rabies epidemic; over 105,000 people have been bitten since the start of 2006. There have been 3380 deaths in China during 2007. Travelers to these areas should consider the pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis vaccination series.

June 1, 2008
POLIO cases reported in INDIA / PAKISTAN / CAMEROON / AFGANISTAN / NIGERIA / NIGER / NAMIBIA / SOMALIA 
June 2008 -- WHO officials confirmed 25 new cases of paralytic polio in Cameroon. India confirms that the provinces of Bihar and Uttarakhand have experienced 304 new cases in '08. Namibia had been polio free for 10 years until a recent outbreak involving 19 cases and 6 deaths. NAMIBIA NOW REQUIRES PROOF OF VACCINATION FOR POLIO, anyone who does not have proof of vaccination will be vaccinated at the port of entry--Reuters News. Polio is a highly contagious viral disease involving the brain and spinal cord that can cause paralysis within hours. Adults should receive a one-time polio booster and all children should be current with their vaccinations prior to traveling. New Guideline: Saudi Arabia now requires proof of current vaccination for all persons less than 15 years of age entering the country, including travelers for Hajj and Umrah.

June 1, 2008
SCHISTOSOMIASIS cases reported in YEMEN
June 2008 -- Yemen reports approximately 3 million cases per year, mostly in 6 to 18 year olds. This is a parasite found in fresh water. So follow the swimming rules, only in chlorinated pools or the ocean.

June 1, 2008
MOSQUITO BORNE VIRAL DISEASES cases reported in AUSTRALIA, NEW SOUTH WALES
June 2008 -- There has been a tremendous increase in the number of insect borne viral diseases in the tropical areas of New South Wales, Australia. There are no vaccinations for these diseases, so be sure to wear your insect repellents as directed.

June 1, 2008
HEPATITIS E cases reported in UGANDA / CHINA
June 2008 -- Uganda reports 1797 cases with 35 dead so far this year. Hong Kong reports 45 cases so far this year. Care with food and scrupulous hand washing is essential.

June 1, 2008
TUBERCULOSIS cases reported in NAMIBIA / BOTSWANA / UGANDA / SOUTH AFRICA
June 2008 -- Namibia reports 15,244 cases in 2007 with 254 cases of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) and 24 cases of extreme drug resistant TB (XDR-TB). Both Uganda and So. Africa have reported a disturbing appearance and spread of both MDR-TB and XDR-TB, 400++ cases in So. Africa alone. Botswana now reports 2 cases of XDR-TB and 100 cases of MDR-TB for 2008. Be sure you are TB tested prior to and following your return from these areas.

June 1, 2008
RIFT VALLEY FEVER cases reported in MADAGASCAR
June 2008 -- Madagascar reports 418 suspected cases (59 confirmed) and 17 deaths so far in 2008. This disaese is spread via contact with blood or internal organs of infected animals either through ingestion, inoculation via openings in the skin, or through inhalation of aerosolized body fluids. Also, it can be spread by the bite of infected mosquitos or blood feeding flies. Remember, follow the safe food rules and always use your insect repellents as directed.

June 1, 2008
MEASLES cases reported in ENGLAND / USA / ISRAEL / IRELAND / AUSTRIA / AUSTRALIA / IRAQ /SWITZERLAND/GERMANY
June 2008 -- London reports 200+ cases so far this year. Pima County, Arizona reports 21 cases from 7 Mar to mid-May and Pinal County report a case in May. Israel reports 900 cases since Sept. 2007 with 700 in Jerusalem alone. Limerick, Ireland reports 18 cases in April '08 and a vaccination rate of only 77%. Austria, Saltzburg area, 180 cases this year (2008) with cases being reported in the Bavaria area of Germany, usually in persons who were unvaccinated. Quensland, Australia reports 6 cases of a highly virulent form in Mar '08. Iraq reports 100 childhood cases in the Anbar province in Mar '08. Switzerland reports 414 cases in '08. Measles and Mumps outbreaks continue to be a problem in many areas of the world. Vaccination with MMR is recommended at least 2 weeks prior to traveling to these regions. So, if you haven't had the diseases and you have only had your childhood immunizations, you need a booster!

June 1, 2008
MUMPS cases reported in AUSTRALIA / MOLDOVA / CANADA (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Alberta)
June 2008 -- Bahamas, Great Exuma, reports the first case in about 10 months. Botswana, Bobirwa area is experiencing a major outbreak with 201 cases and 6 deaths in Mar. 2008. India continues to have problems with malaria in the Goa region; it appears that the breed of mosquito transmitting the disease is resistant to insecticides. Angola reports that since the beginning of '08, they have had 4992 cases of malaria and 117 deaths. The Dominican Republic continues to have cases among both the local and tourist population (Punta Cana). The CDC is recommending that travelers to malaria areas of the world take prophylactic antimalarial medications. Visitors should also use mosquito repellents containing DEET on exposed skin and Permethrin on outer clothing, mosquito netting and bedding.

June 1, 2008
MALARIA cases reported in BAHAMAS / BOTSWANA / INDIA / ANGOLA / DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
June 2008 -- Bahamas, Great Exuma, reports the first case in about 10 months. Botswana, Bobirwa area is experiencing a major outbreak with 201 cases and 6 deaths in Mar. 2008. India continues to have problems with malaria in the Goa region; it appears that the breed of mosquito transmitting the disease is resistant to insecticides. Angola reports that since the beginning of '08, they have had 4992 cases of malaria and 117 deaths. The Dominican Republic continues to have cases among both the local and tourist population (Punta Cana). The CDC is recommending that travelers to malaria areas of the world take prophylactic antimalarial medications. Visitors should also use mosquito repellents containing DEET on exposed skin and Permethrin on outer clothing, mosquito netting and bedding.

June 1, 2008
TYPHOID FEVER cases reported in PAKISTAN
June 2008 -- Health officials confirmed a recent outbreak of Typhoid Fever in Pakistan where currently they experience 1000 cases per 100,000 of population per year. Travelers are encouraged by local health officials to get the Typhoid vaccine prior to traveling to these and other endemic regions and to exercise food and water precautions.

June 1, 2008
JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS cases reported in USA and INDIA
June 2008 - A 9 year old U.S. traveler to Viet Nam came down with the disease after returning home, he is the first U.S. case in years. There have been 2450 cases and 499 people have died from an encephalitis outbreak since July '07 in India (Uttar Pradesh). Travelers are encouraged to consider JE vaccination prior to travel and to use mosquito repellents containing DEET on exposed skin and Permethrin on outer clothing.