On 29 November, an alert was raised by local health zone authorities of Panzi health zone in Kwango province after an increase in deaths, particularly among children under five years of age, following febrile illness.

Enhanced epidemiological surveillance was rapidly implemented, which in the absence of a clear diagnosis was based on the detection of syndromic cases of febrile illnesses with cough, body weakness, with one of a number of other symptoms compatible with acute respiratory and febrile illnesses. This resulted in a rapid increase in the number of cases meeting the definition, with a total of 891 cases reported as of 16 December 2024. However, the weekly number of reported deaths (48 deaths reported over the period) has remained relatively stable. As of 16 December, laboratory results from a total of 430 samples indicated positive results for malaria, common respiratory viruses (Influenza A (H1N1, pdm09), rhinoviruses, SARS-COV-2, Human coronaviruses, parainfluenza viruses, and Human Adenovirus). While further laboratory tests are ongoing, together these findings suggest that a combination of common and seasonal viral respiratory infections and falciparum malaria, compounded by acute malnutrition led to an increase in severe infections and deaths, disproportionally affecting children under five years of age.

There have been several cases of East African sleeping sickness among travelers returning from safari areas in Zambia and Zimbabwe (see map).

Regions highlighted within Zambia and Zimbabwe depicting the approximate risk area for the disease.

African trypanosomiasis, also called sleeping sickness, is endemic in many Subsaharan countries. It is transmitted by Tsetse flies. These flies are mainly attracted by bright, dark (especially blue) colours. They inhabit rural areas, including forests and savannah areas, and areas of thick vegetation along rivers and waterholes, depending on the fly species. Tsetse flies bite during the day, <1% are infected. Risk for infection in travelers increases with the number of fly bites, which does not always correlate with duration of travel. People most likely to be exposed to African trypanosomiasis infection are hunters and villagers with infected cattle herds. Tourists and other people working in or visiting game parks are at risk for contracting African trypanosomiasis if they spend long periods in rural areas where the disease is present. Travelers to urban areas are at minimal risk, although transmission has been observed in some urban settings in the past.

The Cuban Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) has issued an alert for tourists planning to visit the island due to the increase in cases of hepatitis A.

On 26 Dec 2024, the Colombian Agricultural (ICA) Institute declared a state of health emergency in the department of La Guajira and dictated measures to prevent and control the outbreak in the department. The outbreak was detected in a field owned by a Wayuu community in La Guajira where more than 20 goats died. Anthrax was confirmed in 2 patients who presented skin leasions.

Anthrax - caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, present on all continents, causes high mortality in ruminants. It is highly dangerous, both for animals and for public health, and has a rapid capacity to spread.

The Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a sharp increase in respiratory viral infections, including human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infections, in northern China since December 2024.

Human metapneumovirus can affect all age groups and normally causes mild-to-moderate respiratory illness but sometimes the infection can be severe in young children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals. In the EU/EEA, hMPV is most active during late winter and spring, often circulating alongside other respiratory viruses. There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment available for hMPV. For more information: LINK.

The HealthyTravel team wishes you a Merry Christmas and a happy 2025 with travel in good health.

The second meeting of the WHO International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox cases in 2024 met on 22 November 2024. The Committee agreed that the situation continued to meet the criteria of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) initially declared in August 2024. Standing and additional temporary recommendations have been extended until 20 August 2025. The WHO committee state that the event 'requires a coordinated international response'. For details in including temporary recommendations to WHO state parties, see WHO LINK.

According to WHO, as of 25 November 2024, a total of 11’ 634 confirmed Oropouche cases, including two deaths, have been reported in the Region of the Americas, across ten countries and one territory: Bolivia (356 cases), Brazil (9563 cases, including two deaths), Canada (two imported cases), Cayman Island (one imported case),  Colombia (74 cases), Cuba (603 cases), Ecuador (two cases), Guyana (two cases), Panama (one case), Peru (936 cases), and the United States of America (94 imported cases). Additionally, imported Oropouche cases have been reported in countries in the European Region (30 cases).

In addition, As of 7 December 2024, two adult cases of Oropouche virus disease have been reported by health officials on Barbados.

According to the Japanese Ministry of Health, more than 150 cases of the fifth disease (erythema infectiosum) caused by parvovirus B19 are reported every week. Since the end of August 2024, more than 1’100 cases have been reported nationwide, a significant increase compared to the average incidence. Cases are reported especially in Kanagawa (> 160 cases), Saitama (> 250 cases) and Tokyo (> 260 cases) prefectures. The peak of the outbreak has not yet been reached.

An infection with parvovirus B19 is usually asymptomatic (up to 20%) to mild and self-limiting with cold-like symptoms, skin rash (“slapped cheek”) and arthralgia. High rates of virus circulation in the community pose a risk for pregnant women that have not been exposed to the virus previously and have developed protective immunity. Up to 10% of pregnant women infected with parvovirus B19 during the first 20 gestational weeks can experience complications such as hydrops fetalis and miscarriage. Other groups at risk of severe illness include individuals with blood disorders or weakened immune system.