Travel Vaccine Breaking News

The World Health Organization (WHO) Africa Region recently reported two districts (Logia and Mille) of the Afar region in north-eastern Ethiopia are experiencing a Dengue fever outbreak.

The Mille district has reported the most dengue cases (96%).

As of May 10, 2023, a total of 1 638 suspected and confirmed dengue cases and nine associated deaths (CFR 0.5%) have been reported. 

Of the nine suspected deaths reported, four occurred at the health facility and five at the community level.

Ethiopia has had nearly annual outbreaks since 2013, devastating an already fragmented health system, says the WHO. Furthermore, dengue is a vaccine-preventable disease, with two vaccines available in 2023.

Other dengue outbreaks in 2023 are posted at Vax-Before-Travel.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recently reported Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases in Latin America and the Caribbean for Epidemiological Week #18 of 2023.

As of May 24, 2023, the PAHO confirmed RSV activity has remained low throughout most of the Americas.

However, in Brazil and Southern Cone, RSV activity, after showing an increase in recent weeks, a decreasing trend has been observed. 

In the U.S., Florida’s RSV season is longer than the rest of the nation and has distinct regional patterns. However, as of late May 2023, Florida has not reported an RSV outbreak.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.

However, according to the Florida Department of Health, young children and older adults, especially those with certain underlying health conditions, are at higher risk for severe illness from RSV.

RSV is a vaccine-preventable disease in older adults, and RSV monoclonal antibody therapies were approved for infants in 2023.

The U.S. CDC reissued it's Alert - Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions travel advisory regarding U.S. residents returning from Matamoros, Mexico, who were diagnosed with suspected fungal meningitis infections that have led to severe illness and death.

As of May 26, 2023, the CDC stated people should cancel any elective procedure that involves an epidural injection of an anesthetic in Matamoros, Mexico until there is evidence that there is no longer a risk for infection at these clinics.

Furthermore, all medical and surgical procedures carry some risk, and complications can occur regardless of where treatment is received.

The risk of complications depends on the destination, the facility where the procedure is being performed, and whether you are in good physical and psychological condition for the procedure(s). 

And learn how to minimize risks if you are considering traveling to another country for medical care, says the CDC.

Are you an international traveler looking for an undiscovered, safe destination to visit? According to the U.S. Department of State, the Republic of the Marshall Islands could be an option.

With about six thousand annual visitors in 2019, these Pacific Islands are undiscovered.

This U.S. Territory includes 29 atolls and over 1,200 islands, famous for its numerous shipwrecks.

On May 23, 2023, the State Department's Level 1 travel advisory confirmed without COVID-19 restrictions, visitors to this Oceanic retreat should exercise standard precautions.

Should Americans need assistance, the U.S. Embassy in the Marshall Islands is located at Mejen Weto, Ocean Side, Majuro, Marshall Islands.

However, non-emergency consular services were recently suspended indefinitely. For questions and inquiries, call 247- 4011 or email [email protected].

From a health perspective, there was a shortage of necessary medical supplies and medications in April 2023.

And the U.S. CDC suggests various routine vaccinations before visiting the Marshall Islands.

The WHO's Weekly Epidemiological Update #144 provides an overview of the global, regional, and country-level COVID-19 cases and related fatalities.

As of May 25, 2023, nearly 2.3 million new cases and almost 15,000 fatalities were reported in the last 28 days, a decrease of 21% and 17%, respectively, compared to the previous 28 days.

The global situation is mixed at the regional level, with increases in reported cases seen in the WHO African and Western Pacific Regions and increases in fatalities in the African, the Americas, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific Regions. 

Disaggregated data are still accessible on the WHO COVID-19 dashboard, where the entire dataset is available for download.

The U.S. State Department announced on May 22, 2023, the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum has suspended its operations and issued a Level 4, Do not travel to Sudan due to extensive civil unrest.

As a result, the embassy cannot provide routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens in Sudan.

Currently, there are no U.S. consular officers in Sudan.

However, consular services are available in neighboring countries for those who depart independently.

In addition, the U.S. government is providing information for U.S. citizens in Sudan, including exit options.  

Specifically, U.S. citizens should not visit the Hotel Coral in Port Sudan or the Fenti Golf in Khartoum. The U.S. government is no longer present to assist in these locations.

We understand that border crossings into neighboring countries, such as Egypt, may be possible.

However, if you can travel to a border crossing and believe it is safe, please be aware that wait times and conditions at crossing points vary widely and could change quickly, wrote the State Department.

And enroll in the Smart Traveler Program to receive security updates.

U.S. citizens in Sudan who need assistance should contact the closest U.S. embassy or consulate.

The South African National Institute for Communicable Diseases recently confirmed a measles outbreak had been declared in all the provinces in South Africa except for the Eastern Cape since late 2022.

In week #18, seven new measles cases were reported from Limpopo province. 

In total, 1004 measles cases have been reported as of May 18, 2023.

The measles strain detected in Limpopo province and North West province is genotype D8, similar to the strain in Zimbabwe in the 2022 outbreak.

Globally, measles outbreaks are occurring in numerous countries.

Therefore, the U.S. CDC suggests ensuring international travelers are protected before departure.

Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, with various vaccines offered in most countries.