27 January 2005: Increased risk of vector-borne diseases

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of the increased risk of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever in tsunami affected areas.

Stagnant water conditions and the onset of the rainy season both create ideal conditions for mosquitoes to multiply.

WHO has also reported that the dengue haemorrhagic fever cases in the Thai provinces of Phuket and Phang Nha to be slightly above the epidemic threshold since the tsunami.

Travellers to affected areas are reminded to seek pre-travel health advice, take appropriate malaria chemoprophylaxis and practice vigilant insect bite avoidance .

Travel health advice for affected areas can be found in the country specific information sheets.