CDC Issues Travel Health Notices for Vietnam and Rwanda Amid Health Concerns

The CDC has issued level one travel health notices for Vietnam and Rwanda due to increased measles activity and a Marburg virus disease outbreak, respectively. Travelers are urged to take precautions, including vaccination and good hygiene, to avoid infection.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recently issued travel health notices for both Vietnam and Rwanda, advising travelers to exercise caution. Due to a rise in measles cases, Vietnam has received a level one “watch” notice indicating increased measles activity. CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Center Director, Guo Hung-wei, reported an imported measles case involving a man in his thirties from northern Taiwan, who tested positive upon returning from a group tour in Phu Quoc, Vietnam. Symptoms developed five days post-return and included fever, rash, and gastrointestinal issues. According to CDC physician Lin Yung-ching, measles is highly contagious, spread through respiratory droplets, and can remain infectious on surfaces for up to two hours, posing serious health risks, especially to unvaccinated children or immunosuppressed individuals. Elevated measles activity has been documented in other Southeast Asian nations, notably Thailand, warranting a precautionary approach for travel. For Rwanda, a level one “watch” notice also accompanies reports of a Marburg virus disease outbreak, following an alarming increase in confirmed cases and fatalities, leading to a fatality rate of 21.4 percent. The World Health Organization categorized the outbreak as posing a high risk at the national level. Marburg virus transmission can occur from contact with infected animals or contaminated environments, as well as through human-to-human transmission. Symptoms include high fever, headache, severe malaise, and can escalate to severe bleeding and shock. While there is currently no approved treatment or vaccine for Marburg virus disease, it has been suggested that Remdesivir might reduce fatalities, prompting Rwanda to seek emergency use authorization of this antiviral medication. Health experts recommend avoiding unnecessary travel to affected areas and adhering to strict hygiene practices should travel be essential.

The article addresses increasing health concerns related to measles in Vietnam and Marburg virus disease in Rwanda, prompting the CDC to issue travel health warnings. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to serious complications, particularly among vulnerable populations. An understanding of the transmission dynamics of the Marburg virus is also crucial, as it has a high fatality rate and lacks specific treatments or vaccines, thereby making public health advisories imperative for travelers to these regions.

In summary, travelers are advised to remain vigilant regarding their health while considering trips to Vietnam and Rwanda. The CDC’s level one “watch” notices signify precaution due to rising infectious diseases—measles in Vietnam and Marburg in Rwanda. Awareness and preventive measures, along with strict hygiene practices, can mitigate potential health risks for those traveling to or within these areas.

Original Source: www.taipeitimes.com