Travel Vaccine Breaking News

Travel vaccine breaking news brought to you by Vax Before Travel.

Mar 31, 2023 • 3:20 pm CDT
from Pixabay

The Region of the Americas has seen a significant surge in dengue cases and, in 2023, “is showing intense dengue transmission,”  stated the World Health Organization on March 23, 2023.

By early March 2023, 342,243 dengue cases, including 86 deaths, were reported in the Americas.

At this pace, 2023 may easily eclipse the results seen in 2022.

In 2022, over 2.8 cases of dengue, including 1,290 deaths, representing a two-fold increase in patients compared with 2021.

Unfortunately, this trend is being realized in the state of Florida.

The Florida Health Department reported as of week #12, there had been 52 travel-associated dengue cases, and one locally acquired dengue case confirmed this year. 

This compares with 903 travel-associated and 68 locally-acquired dengue cases reported in 2022, primarily in southern Florida.

The good news is that dengue is a vaccine-preventable disease, and two vaccines are becoming more available for international travelers in 2023.

Mar 31, 2023 • 7:32 am CDT
by Dom Carver

NSW Health today announced a Western Sydney infant infectious with measles spent time in locations in Parramatta and Westmead on March 27, 2023.

The infant, too young to be vaccinated against measles, acquired the infection in India before returning to Sydney.

NSW Health also confirmed a local measles case in September 2022.

Dr. Christine Selvey, Director of Communicable Diseases, NSW Health, commented in a press release on March 29, 2023, "Measles is a highly contagious infection, and the most vulnerable are infants under 12 months, who are too young to be vaccinated against it, other members of the community who are not fully vaccinated and people with a weakened immune system."

Measles cases increased worldwide by about 80% during 2022 compared with 2021.

Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease that quickly spreads in the air through coughing or sneezing by someone unwell with the disease.

"It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it is essential to stay vigilant if you've been in the above locations, and if you develop symptoms, please call ahead to your GP to ensure you do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients," Dr. Selvey added.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the intramuscular route of administration for M-M-R®II and ProQuad®. In addition, the FDA approved the Priorix vaccine for use in the U.S.

Measles outbreak news for 2023 is posted at Vax-Before-Travel.

Mar 30, 2023 • 3:57 pm CDT
Chile Avian Influenza Viruses March 29, 2023

The Republic of Chile Ministry of Health today announced the first case of bird flu in humans. Reported from northern Chile, the 53-year-old man is in stable condition.

The avian influenza source of contact is being investigated.

The H5N1 "bird flu" virus can be transmitted from birds or marine mammals to humans, but there are no known cases of human-to-human transmission in Chile as of March 30, 2023.

Infected birds were recently confirmed in Argentina, Bolivia, Columbia, Peru, Venezuela, and Uruguay.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Technical Report issued on March 17, 2023, confirmed the current risk to the public from A(H5N1) viruses remains low.

If there is a bird flu outbreak in humans, there is one U.S. FDA-approved bird flu vaccine.

However, the CDC says the annual flu shot will not prevent bird flu infections.

According to the CDC FluView dashboard, 54 countries reported bird flu outbreaks to the World Health Organization from 2021 through March 29, 2023.

Mar 29, 2023 • 2:52 pm CDT
Google map city of Bata, March 29, 2023

With the new slogan "health for all, everyone's task," Equatorial Guinea Health intends to involve the entire population in the surveillance of the Marburg virus, reported ahoraEG.com.

A new action plan will require passengers, especially those coming from the city of Bata, with over 200,000 residents, to fill out a form to enter location information so that they can be located quickly and on time in case of any suspicion.

Obama Nve has indicated that filling out the Marburg virus control form is a civic duty for anyone, "we want to beg the population that we are going to demand that they fill out a small file, not to bother because we do it to safeguard public health in our country."

As of March 29, 2023, about 459 contacts have been followed up since the Marburg outbreak was declared in mid-February 2023.

In an interview on national television, the member of the Technical Committee for Health Emergencies, Maricamen Andeme Ela, assured that we are in a drastic situation because we have not wanted to comply with the measures imposed since the appearance of the first case, "Marburg exists, and we are seeing it, and unfortunately, it is taking human lives."

WHO Director-General's opening remarks at a media briefing on March 29, 2023, included the number of officially reported Marburg cases remaining at nine, with seven deaths, in three provinces. 

However, the WHO is aware of additional cases, and we have asked the government to report these cases.

Breaking news regarding the Marburg outbreaks in Burundi, Tanzania, and Africa is posted at Vax-Before-Travel.

 

Mar 29, 2023 • 2:43 am CDT
U.S. CDC malaria map March 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced it had certified the countries of Azerbaijan and Tajikistan for eliminating malaria in their territories. The certification follows the two countries' sustained, century-long effort to stamp out this vaccine-preventable disease.

As of March 29, 2023, a total of 41 countries and one territory have been certified malaria-free by WHO, including 21 countries in the European Region.

"The people and governments of Azerbaijan and Tajikistan have worked long and hard to eliminate malaria," Tweeted WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"Their accomplishment further proves that eliminating malaria is possible with the right resources and political commitment. I hope that other countries can learn from their experience."

The final decision on awarding a malaria-free certification rests with the WHO Director-General, based on a recommendation by the independent Technical Advisory Group on Malaria Elimination and Certification. For more on WHO's malaria-free certification process, visit this WHO link.

Malaria vaccines are available in certain countries in 2023. However, the United States has not approved a vaccine yet.

Mar 28, 2023 • 12:01 pm CDT
U.S. CDC Burundi March 2023

According to various Tweets and local media news articles published today, the Republic of Burundi reported multiple fatalities related to an unknown disease.

Since Burundi is located near the Republic of Tanzania, which confirmed an outbreak of the Marburg virus last week, health authorities throughout central Africa are on high alert.

Recently, the U.S. CDC published updated travel alerts for Marburg outbreaks in Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea. Additional Marburg outbreak news is posted at Vax-Before-Travel.

Mar 27, 2023 • 12:24 pm CDT
U.S. CDC Madagascar vaccines March 2023

Local media in Madagascar recently confirmed a third potential case of the Pneumonic Plague in Ambositra. 

L'Express reported on March 23, 2023, a 24-year-old man died in the regional referral hospital. The deceased's 11-year-old sister is also suspected of being infected.

This farmer would be the third recent victim of the plague.

Large outbreaks of plague occurred in Madagascar in 2014 and 2017.

The U.S. CDC says the plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which is found in rodents and their fleas.

Pneumonic plague occurs when Y. pestis infects the lungs and can spread from person to person through the air. 

Various types of plague vaccines have been used since the late 19th century.

A study published in 2022 indicates that immunization with a powder formulation of rF1-V10 vaccines may be a promising vaccination strategy for providing protective immunity against pneumonic plague.

Previously, the CDC updated its travel vaccine webpage for Madagascar, suggesting several pre-trip vaccinations, including for polio.

In 2020, about 17% of all people arriving in Madagascar were from France. Italy, Reunion, Germany, and Mauritius reports Statista.

Mar 27, 2023 • 9:00 am CDT
by Tammon P.

As Spring Break 2023 became unruly in southern Florida, one city took action to reduce risks for everyone.

On March 22, 2023, Alina T. Hudak, the City Manager for the City of Miami Beach, determined that there is reason to believe that there exists a continuing clear and present danger of the general public disorder, widespread disobedience of the law, and substantial injury to persons or property, all of which constitute an imminent threat to public peace or order, and to the general welfare of the City of Miami Beach.

Accordingly, 'I hereby declare a State of Emergency in the City until March 27, 2023.'

Mayor Dan Gelber told the Guardian on March 25, 2023, that "enhanced safety measures" would be in effect, including sobriety checkpoints and mobile license plate readers in the Miami Beach area.

Mar 27, 2023 • 7:23 am CDT
by Jan Vašek

According to reporting by the Times of Israel, the Ben Gurion International Airport ceased flight departures on March 27, 2023. 

The Ben Gurion Airport is located near the cities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and serves about 20 million international travelers annually. The Israel Airports Authority was founded in 1977 as a public corporation.

The state of New York recently encouraged visitors to Israel to ensure they are fully protected against polio in 2023.

This is a developing story, and updates will be published as soon as relevant.

Mar 26, 2023 • 4:22 pm CDT
U.S. TSA March 25, 2023

According to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) latest checkpoint travel numbers, airport security screening activity has returned to the levels last seen in 2019.

As of March 23, 2023, the TSA is screening over 2.4 million people per day at airports in the U.S.

The TSA Strategy guides the agency through TSA's 25th anniversary and identifies three strategic priorities:

  • Improve Security,
  • Safeguard the Transportation System, and
  • Accelerate Action, and Commit to Our People.

The Secretary of Homeland Security recently announced 1,341 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary's Awards winners, which honor employees from 43 states, countries, territories, and districts.

These individuals, the most significant number ever recognized, were selected for their extraordinary achievements and commitment to the DHS mission.

In 2022, DHS launched a hiring initiative recruiting hundreds of experts in digital user experience and design for the Customer Experience Program.

DHS is working to improve the overall experience for those accessing government services and benefits by accepting mobile driver's licenses, reducing processing times for immigration benefits, and simplifying FEMA policies when applying for assistance.

Mar 26, 2023 • 3:08 pm CDT
by Dimitris Vetsikas

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently announced anyone eligible for Mpox vaccination is urged to come forward for the vaccine in the coming months to protect themselves before the summer of 2023.

People eligible but have not yet received two doses of Bavarian Nordic's JYNNEOS® (MVA-BN) vaccine are encouraged to book their first dose by June 16, 2023, and be booked in for their second dose by the end of July 2023.

In England, about 6,619 people have received their second dose since the program began in June 2022.

Mpox cases have fallen across the UK from a high of 350 per week in July 2022 to just six new cases in 2023. Three people acquired mpox while in the UK, and three were returning travelers.

Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam, Deputy Director, Public Health Programmes at UKHSA, commented in a media release on March 22, 2023, "While mpox infection is mild for many, it can cause severe symptoms for some, so it's important people remain alert to the risks."

"Vaccination is key to reducing the severity of symptoms and preventing further transmission."

"Uptake of first doses has been strong, but only around a third of those who have received their first dose have had their second dose so far."

"I would urge everyone eligible to come forward for both doses so they have maximum long-lasting protection."

The "UKHSA will monitor cases of mpox very closely and will re-establish the vaccination program if we need to."

MpoxToday.com publishes updated news as of March 26, 2023.

Mar 26, 2023 • 2:36 pm CDT
U.S. Dept of State March 2023

According to media statements made by the Republic of Equatorial Guinea Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mitoha Ondo Ayecaba, Marburg virus disease (MVD) cases have reached the city of Bata as of March 23, 2023.

Bata is a coastal city in the Litoral province of Equatorial Guinea with an urban population exceeding 225,000 residents.

Two of the eight new confirmed Marburg cases were reported from the province of Kié-Ntem, four from the Litoral,  and two from Centre- Sur provinces.

The areas reporting cases are about 150 kilometers apart, suggesting wider transmission of the deadly virus.

In total, 27 MVD fatalities have been reported in Equatorial Guinea in 2023. 

The other MVD outbreak in central Africa is in Tanzania, which announced eight cases, including five related fatalities last week.

And more than 160 contacts have been identified and are being monitored.

The World Health Organization recently assessed the risk posed by the Marburg outbreaks as very high at the national level, moderate at the regional level, and low at the global level.

And the Europan CDC stated the most likely route of introducing MVD into the EU/EEA would be via infected travelers. While importation of the virus cannot be excluded, it is currently doubtful to occur.

Should an MVD case be imported, the likelihood of the spread within Europe is considered to be very low.

As of March 26, 2023, neither the U.S. Food and Drug Administration nor the European Medicines Agency had approved a Marburg vaccine.

Mar 26, 2023 • 1:01 pm CDT
U.S. CDC Dengue outbreaks March 24, 2023

As the third week of Spring Break 2023 begins, the Florida Health Department continues to confirm additional dengue fever cases.

During week #11, nine dengue cases were reported in persons with recent international travel.

In total, there have been 48 travel-associated dengue cases this year, mainly in the greater Miami, Florida, area.

Since Miami's beaches are highly ranked, many Spring Break visitors come from Central and South America, Mexico, and Caribbean countries, with 2.8 million dengue cases reported in 2022.

During 2022, the highest cumulative incidence of dengue cases was reported in Nicaragua, with 1,455 cases per 100,000 population, followed by Brazil and Belize.

To notify travelers of potential health risks, the U.S. CDC continues updating dengue outbreak alerts as of March 26, 2023.

While two dengue prevention vaccines are authorized in specific countries, their availability remains limited. 

Mar 24, 2023 • 6:04 am CDT
U.S. CDC Marburg disease outbreak map March 24, 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that since the first Disease Outbreak News published on February 25, 2023, eight additional laboratory-confirmed Marburg virus disease (MVD) cases have been reported in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

Two of the eight new confirmed cases were reported from the province of Kié-Ntem, four from the Litoral,  and two from Centre- Sur provinces. The areas reporting cases are about 150 kilometers apart, suggesting wider virus transmission.

This brings the total to nine laboratory-confirmed cases and 20 probable cases during the MVD outbreak in Equatorial Guinea.

Seven laboratory-confirmed patients and all probable cases have died from MVD.

Marburg is spread by contact with the blood or body fluids of a person infected with the virus, says the WHO.

As of March 22, 2023, the WHO assesses the risk posed by this MVD outbreak as very high at the national level, moderate at the regional level, and low at the global level.

Other African countries, such as Tanzania, are reporting MVD cases or people under surveillance.

The U.S. CDC updated its Watch - Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions notice to alert international travelers on March 23, 2023.

As of March 24, 2023, there is no MVD-targeted vaccine authorized.

Mar 23, 2023 • 7:05 am CDT
CDC Travel Advisory Tanzania March 21, 2023

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced the United Republic of Tanzania declared an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD), with confirmed cases reported in the Kagera Region.

Other MVD outbreaks in Africa have been confirmed in 2023.

MVD is a viral hemorrhagic fever, with symptoms including fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, rash, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, chest pain, and unexplained bleeding or bruising.

Infection with the Marburg virus is often fatal, as there is no specific treatment, says the CDC.

As of March 21, 2023, the CDC's Watch - Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions notices advises visitors should separate themselves from others and seek medical care immediately if they develop fever, chills, muscle pain, rash, sore throat, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising during or after travel (up to 21 days).

As of March 23, 2023, no MVD preventive vaccines are authorized.