Health warning

China: Thousands of Dead Pigs Dumped in Shanghai’s Water Source

Date: March 13th, 2013 |

Water pollution is a major concern throughout China, but for many of Shanghai’s 23 million residents, a surge in the dumping of dead pigs has heightened their worries. Over a two-day period in early March, authorities retrieved 2,813 dead pigs from the Huangpu River—a primary source of city drinking water. Official reports stated that the [read more]

India: New Outbreak of Swine Flu Confirmed

Date: February 13th, 2013 |

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The Ministry of Health has confirmed a new outbreak of swine flu (H1N1 virus) that has killed at least 94 people and affected 450 since Jan. 1. Most of the cases have occurred in northern Rajasthan, although 60 cases and three deaths so far were reported in the capital city of New Delhi. The virus, [read more]

Cambodia: New Cases of Bird Flu Confirmed

Date: February 6th, 2013 |

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In January, the Ministry of Health confirmed five new cases of “bird flu” in humans, four of which were fatal. Also known as H5N1 or avian influenza, the relatively rare virus is transmitted only by direct contact with infected birds—never human-to-human. However, since the illness it causes is often fatal and has high endemic potential, [read more]

Cuba: New Cholera Outbreak Confirmed

Date: January 20th, 2013 |

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Health officials in Havana have confirmed a new outbreak of cholera and are taking rigorous measures to contain it. Transmitted through contaminated water and food, cholera causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, and can kill within hours if left untreated. So far, 51 cases of the highly infectious disease have been identified, all traced to a [read more]

Portugal: Dengue Fever on the Rise in Madeira

Date: December 26th, 2012 |

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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued an updated notice regarding dengue fever in Madeira. As of Dec. 9, more than 2,000 cases have been reported in the archipelago, and 58 of those afflicted were European tourists who had returned to their home countries. Dengue fever is a common but serious mosquito-borne illness that [read more]

Brazil: Steep Rise in Dengue Fever, New Strain Identified

Date: February 27th, 2013 |

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Health officials confirmed that 200,000 cases of dengue fever have been reported since Jan. 1, almost tripling the numbers from the same period in 2012. The epidemic has hit hardest in the central and southern regions of the country, particularly the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Dengue is a mosquito-borne illness that usually causes [read more]

Worldwide: Captive Sea Turtles May Pose Health Risks to Humans

Date: February 13th, 2013 |

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A recent report warns tourists not to touch—or eat—sea turtles raised in captivity, as they may pose serious health risks to humans. An extensive case study performed at a large turtle farm in Grand Cayman found that captive turtles, including those raised for food, carry bacteria, fungi and parasites that can be readily transmitted to [read more]

Japan: Health Warnings Issued as Smog Rolls in From China

Date: February 6th, 2013 |

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Public health warnings went out Feb. 4 as a thick cloud of smog from China blew in on the wind, causing air pollution levels to exceed government limits in some parts of the island nation. The highest concentration of dangerous particles hovered over Kyushu, worrying residents about the effects of exposure. Under such conditions, small [read more]

Haiti: Government Refutes U.S. Travel Warning

Date: January 20th, 2013 |

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Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe objected to an updated travel warning, issued by the U.S. State Dept. Dec. 28, that cited problems such as violent crime, cholera outbreaks and lack of infrastructure—particularly medical and emergency services. Calling the warning unfair, Lamothe said it singled out Haiti at a time when the island nation is trying to [read more]

Czech Republic: Tourists Warned to Steer Clear of Deadly Spirits

Date: December 12th, 2012 |

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As the holiday season approaches its peak, the Ministry of Health reminds tourists not to consume or purchase spirits from kiosks or street stalls, including the popular Christmas markets in Prague. Authorities cracked down on illegal alcohol after 37 people died in Sept. from drinking bootlegged liquor distilled with methanol. Dozens more were hospitalized with [read more]

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