World Travel Health Alerts

Recent cases of rare, but often deadly, diseases transmitted by mosquitoes highlight the importance of personal protection against insect bites, travel health specialist Dr Ed Bajrovic said this week.

Carrying insect repellent to minimize mosquito bites is just as important for people visiting tropical and wetland regions of Australia, as those heading to tropical countries overseas, according to the medical director of Travelvax Australia.

Last week, a 19-year-old Canadian woman died after contracting Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) during a 10-day holiday in the Northern Territory in early May. Hers was the third MVE death this year, while several of the 9 recent cases in Western Australia are receiving intensive treatment in hospital.

Source = etravelblackboard