Destinations with Infections Tropical Diseases
Destinations with Tropical Diseases
Discover current global outbreaks, an overview of tropical diseases, travel advice, and FAQs
Destinations with Disease Outbreaks
Travel Advice
The following tables list all current global outbreak notices, as published by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (as of August 2019). There are three tables, one for each Warning Level.
Warning Level 3: Avoid Nonessential Travel
This level means there is a high risk to travellers, with no precaution available to protect against the identified increased risk. Travellers should avoid all non-essential travel to this destination.
| COUNTRY & DATE OF WARNING RELEASE | DISEASES | SUMMARY | ACTION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venezuela August 07, 2019 |
Measles, Diphtheria, and Malaria | Not only has Venezuela experienced severe disease outbreaks, the country is currently experiencing a severe breakdown of its medical infrastructure and adequate health care is not currently accessible. | Only travel to Venezuela if absolutely necessary Speak to a travel medical specialist before travelling Receive all recommended vaccines before travelling |
Alert Level 2: Practice Enhanced Precautions
Travellers should take action to prevent against a specific risk, and follow enhanced precautions for this destination.
| COUNTRY & DATE OF WARNING RELEASE | DISEASES | SUMMARY | ACTION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic Republic of the Congo August 08, 2019 |
Ebola | There is currently an outbreak of Ebola in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces, in the northeastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo | Take action to prevent Ebola infection (See below for more info) Seek medical care immediately if you have been in an area where Ebola is spreading |
| Japan August 07, 2019 |
Rubella | There is currently outbreak of rubella across Japan | Stay vaccinated against with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine before travel Rubella is very dangerous for a pregnant woman; pregnant women should seek medical advice before travelling |
| Indonesia February 28, 2019 |
Polio | There is a polio outbreak in Indonesia | All travellers to Indonesia should be vaccinated fully against polio |
| Nigeria January 28, 2019 |
Yellow Fever | A large and ongoing outbreak of yellow fever in began in September 2017 | Travelers going to Nigeria should receive vaccination against yellow fever Travelers should take steps to prevent mosquito bites while there |
| Niger December 14, 2018 |
Polio | There is a polio outbreak in the Zinder region of Niger | All travellers to Niger should be vaccinated fully against polio |
| Papua New Guinea October 26, 2018 |
Polio | There is currently an outbreak of Ebola across Papua New Guinea | All travellers to Papua New Guinea should be vaccinated fully against Polio |
| Somalia October 26, 2018 |
Polio | There is currently an outbreak of Ebola in the Mogadishu and the Hiran and Middle Shabelle regions of Somalia | All travellers to Somalia should be vaccinated fully against polio |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo October 26, 2018 |
Polio | There is currently an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in Haut-Lomami Province and in Maniema Province | All travelers to Democratic Republic of the Congo should be vaccinated fully against polio |
| Nigeria May 17, 2018 |
Polio | There is currently an outbreak of Ebola in Nigeria. Because of the risk of cross-border transmission, the CDC also recommends vaccines for adults travelling to Niger, Cameroon, or Chad |
All travellers to Nigeria should be vaccinated fully against polio |
Watch Level 1: Practice Usual Precautions
Travellers should remember to follow usual precautions for this destination, including being up to date on all recommended vaccines and following good hygiene practise.
| COUNTRY & DATE OF WARNING RELEASE | DISEASES | SUMMARY | ACTION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria August 07, 2019 |
Lassa Fever | Cases have been identified in several states, particularly in Edo and Ondo states | The disease that is spread primarily by rats. Travelers to Nigeria should avoid contact with rats |
| Hajj, Saudi Arabia August 07, 2019, for the dates of 9-14th August 2019 |
Measles etc | The Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the world’s largest mass gatherings. The CDC has put out a health warning for the Hajj dates of 9-14th August due to the increased chances of outbreak. | Visit a travel health specialist before travelling Check with Saudi Arabia for their most current vaccine requirments, and be vaccinated before travel |
| Nigeria August 07, 2019 |
Monkeypox | There is an ongoing outbreak of monkeypox in Nigeria | Travellers to Nigeria should wash there hands often with soap and water an avoid contact with primates |
| Bolivia July 18, 2019 |
Hemorrhagic Fever | An outbreak of hemorrhagic fever has been reported in Bolivia | Travellers to Bolivia should wash there hands often with soap and water Travellers should avoid contact with rodents, with rodent urine or feces (droppings), and with people who are sick |
| Global July 10, 2019 |
Measles | Measles is in many countries and outbreaks of the disease are occurring around the world. See below for more information | See below for more information |
Tropical Diseases
More Information
There are currently outbreaks across the world of the following tropical diseases. Find out more information, including prevention tips.
Measles
What is Measles?
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness. Each year, an estimated 10 million people around the world get measles. Measles is caused by a very contagious virus and is a disease that spreads between people via breathing, coughing or sneezing. Signs and symptoms of measles can include high fever, rashes, coughs, red eyes and a runny nose. People with measles can spread it 4 days before and 4 days after a rash appears. Measles can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia.
Most measles outbreaks within the United States are the result from international travel, when the disease is brought into the US by unvaccinated travellers who have been infected in other countries. Travellers are at risk of measles when heading to areas where measles is spreading and have not been vaccinated against the disease.
Measles Outbreak News
Measles remains a common disease in many parts of the world, but outbreaks of Measles are currently occurring in countries across the world. When a country experiences an outbreak this means that the number of reported measles cases is higher than normal.
Outbreaks are happening around the world, in countries within Europe, Asia, the Middle East, the Americas and Africa. This includes many popular tourist destinations, including Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines, and more.
The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a Global Travel Notice, warning travellers to be aware when travelling to countries where Measles is prevalent. The warning has been set at a Level 1 (Watch) for these outbreaks. Level 1 means it is still safe to travel to countries experiencing outbreaks, but encourages travellers to reminder to follow precautions, including being up to date on all recommended vaccines.
Measles Prevention
Both the Public Health England (PHE) and the CDC is advising travellers to ensure they are up to date with their Measles vaccinations before travelling.
Travellers should ensure they are appropriately vaccinated before travel. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is readily available. Travellers should be fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks before you departure. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine protects against all 3 diseases. Two doses of MMR vaccine (recommended) provide 97% protection against measles, whereas one dose provides 93% protection. In the US, the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine is also available for children between the ages of 1 and 12 years.
In summary: If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, at least 2 weeks before travel, you have sufficient protection against the disease.
Ebola
What is Ebola?
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is rare but can be a very deadly disease. Ebola first appeared in 1976, simultaneously in two outbreaks: one in South Sudan, and the other in a small village in Democratic Congo. The disease is spread by direct contact with blood or via the body fluids of a person who is infected with the virus. It is also spread by contact with an infected animal.
Most travellers are at a very low risk for Ebola. Those who will have close contact with primates or bats in tropical Africa are at risk; healthcare workers who are planning on helping to care for those sick with Ebola are also at risk.
Symptoms and signs of the disease include fever, muscle pains, fatigue, vomiting, abdominal pains, diarrhea, and unexplained bleeding/bruising. Symptoms usually appear between 2 to 21 days after contact with the virus.
Ebola Outbreak News
The virus that causes the disease is mainly located in sub-Saharan Africa. In the past, there have been confirmed cases in African countries including the Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, South Sudan, Uganda, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria.
Ebola Prevention
There is no vaccine or treatment for EVD. If signs and symptoms of the disease appear, it is important to seek urgent medical advice. Recovery from the disease will depend on the supportive clinical care, as well as the patient’s immune response.The CDC offers the following advice to those travelling to areas where there is risk:
Avoid contact with those who are sick and don’t handle items that may have come in contact with a sick person’s blood or body fluids
Avoid contact with primates and bats
Wash your hands often (it’s good practise to carry sanitizer)
Dengue
What is Dengue?
Dengue is an infection caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted through bites from infected mosquitos. The mosquitoes that spreads the virus tend to breed in urban areas, close to human habitation and are also active during the day. Although self-limiting, a small number of people can develop more severe and life-threatening infections.
Many who are infected with dengue remain symptom-free, but if symptoms do occur, can include a high fever, severe headaches, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting and a rash. Most who are infected will experience rapid recovery three to four days after the rash appears.
Dengue Outbreak News
The disease is common in the tropics. Affected areas include the Caribbean, South and Central America, Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands. However, cases outside tropical areas, including in Europe (locally cases reported in Croatia, France and Madeira).
Dengue Prevention
There is no vaccine available to prevent dengue in travellers. Travellers to dengue endemic countries will be at risk of dengue infection. It is thought that risk is greater during periods of higher levels of mosquito feeding activity (a few hours after dawn and during early evening).
Mosquito bite avoidance is recommended. Particular care with bite avoidance is advised during the day, especially during dawn and dusk.
Flying to destinations with tropical disease outbreaks
FAQs
What vaccinations do I need?
Whether you will need vaccinations depends on where you are travelling to and what you will be doing when you are there. You should see a health care provider who is familiar with travel medicine at least a month before your trip, to ensure you receive suitable vaccinations before travelling.
For more information, check out our full guide to travel vaccinations
What Medication can I carry on a plane?
Remember, there are special considerations for travelling with prescriptions and medicines when you fly! For more information, check out our full guide to flying with medication