Mosquito bites with severe consequences Overview of travel diseases worldwide

Caution is better than forbearance: Increasingly uncomplicated access to distant destinations increases the risk for tourists to become infected with tropical diseases. In particular, the spread of mosquitoes leads to a growing number of dangers. Tübingen-based company A3M, which specializes in crisis and early warning systems, has analyzed the data from recent months and produced an overview of the regions in which vacationers are called upon to be more cautious and where it is safer with regard to infections.

Asia - Noticeable risks from mosquitoes
Since 2013, bird flu H7N9 in China is a danger to travelers. The clinical picture includes high fever, cough, shortness of breath and, if necessary, rapidly progressive, severe pneumonia. For example, to minimize the risk of infection, travelers should avoid contact with poultry and stay away from infected individuals in known cases of disease.

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In addition, the dengue fever plays a major role in Asia and the Pacific. The main distribution areas include India and Nepal, for example. Likewise, the number of cases recently increased in Vietnam and Thailand, which are very popular with German tourists. Also in parts of the Pacific - such as the Solomon Islands - the authorities reported more cases. In the Southeast Asian region, travelers are additionally confronted with Chikungunya fever. Here are some symptoms similar to dengue fever - such as fever and body aches - but there are still rashes, eye inflammation and gastrointestinal problems added.

Travelers are much less aware of the risks on the "Fifth Continent". In Australia, cases of the so-called Ross River fever occur again and again. Affected areas include the states of South Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales. The disease is also spread by mosquitoes. Comparatively harmless for travelers presents itself in the Asia-Pacific Japan.

America: Zika on the decline - other risks persist
For the American continent, it is important to take increased precautions against infection by mosquito bites, primarily in Peru and Brazil, in order to protect against dengue or chikungunya fever or malaria. Apart from that, travel is at least to North America health largely harmless. The cases of Zika in Florida have recently returned to zero.

In Brazil, the Zika virus, which has made the South American country headlines in recent years, is also largely in retreat. Brazil is currently suffering from an increase in yellow fever. Countries like Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia are relatively safe for health travelers.

Africa: malaria cases in the Kruger National Park - rare diseases in Madagascar and Togo
In Central Africa, cases of dengue or chikungunya can occasionally occur. However, other infectious diseases such as malaria or yellow fever pose the greatest risk here. Malaria plays an important role in South Africa, for example in the Kruger National Park, which is very popular with safari tourists.

The bacterial infectious disease cholera is also spreading in Central Africa. It is mostly caused by contaminated drinking water or infected food in the form of a bacterium and leads to severe diarrhea. Cholera is common in countries where drinking and sanitation systems are not separated. In addition, fish and other foods from rivers and the sea can be contaminated. For example, Mozambique and Ghana are among the areas most affected by tourism. In Madagascar, the plague last autumn revealed cases of almost extinct disease worldwide. In the small West African country of Togo, there were also cases of rare Lassa fever in the spring of 2017, which causes diarrhea, among other things. It is transmitted by excretions of mice and contaminated food.

The North African region, starting from Morocco and along the Mediterranean coast, is considered by travelers to be largely safe from a health point of view. For example, no serious epidemics have been recorded in the last twelve months.

In the Arabian Peninsula, more precisely in the United Arab Emirates or Oman, the risk of contracting an infectious disease is low.

Europe: Measles experience a sad renaissance
Even in nearby countries there are risks to consider. Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease affecting mainly children. In countries with mandatory vaccination or large-scale vaccination campaigns, authorities have been able to eradicate the disease to a large extent. Due to a lack of preparedness, however, the disease is currently reappearing more frequently, especially in Eastern European countries. For example, since the end of 2016, thousands of new infections have been registered in Romania. Travelers are therefore strongly recommended to refresh their own vaccine protection. More recently, there are even cases in many parts of Italy.

In principle, however, the European space is still one of the safest destinations in the world due to its high hygienic and medical standards. (Pm)