Current topics and natural disasters

This page contains information about some events or outbreaks worldwide that may increase the risk of British travellers acquiring infectious diseases. In the event of a natural disaster such as an earthquake, local infrastructures are disrupted and, depending on the current epidemiology of a disease, outbreaks may occur. For more information about disease outbreak risk after geophysical disasters, see Floret N, Viel JF, Mauny F, Hoen B, Piarroux R. Neglible risk for epidemics after geophysical disasters. Emerging Infectious Diseases 2006: 12(4); 543-8.

Further clinical updates relating to travellers are available from the National Travel Health Network and Centre.

Current topics

• Earthquake in China - advice for relief workers and other travellers to affected areas - NaTHNaC clinical update, 14 May 2008
• Tropical Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar – advice for relief workers and other travellers to affected areas - NaTHNaC Clinical update - 7 May 2008
• Latest imported infections quarterly report published: Oct to Dec 2007 - HPR Weekly 4 Apr 2008
• Rabies cases in dogs in France - 4 Mar 2008
• Yellow fever in Brazil and Paraguay: NaTHNaC now recommends yellow fever vaccine for all travellers to Paraguay - 22 Feb 2008
• Yellow fever in Brazil and Paraguay: changes to vaccine recommendations - HPR Weekly 15 Feb 2008
• Latest imported infections quarterly report published: Jul to Sep 2007 - HPR Weekly 10 Jan 2008 
• Latest report published: Foreign travel associated illness, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. 2007 report 23 Aug 2007
• The National Travel Health Network and Centre produce an information sheet for relief workers and other travellers going to areas affected by natural disasters 21 Aug 2007
• Latest imported infections quarterly report published: Jan to Mar 2007 - HPR Weekly 6 Jul 2007

Past news items

• News and natural disasters archive

Last reviewed: 14 May 2008