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Potential health hazards to travelers in Middle East
June 23, 2005 02:44 PM EST | Consumer Info , Middle East | Email to Friend | Comments (0)
Common infections in travelers are gastrointestinal infections. Chronic and latent infections in immigrants (and long-term residents) include tuberculosis, echinococcosis, cutaneous leishmaniasis, brucellosis.
Vector-borne infections: Malaria is present in focal areas of Iran, Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen. Epidemic dengue activity occurred in Saudi Arabia and Yemen in 2002. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is widespread and common, especially in countries bordering the Mediterranean. Transmission of visceral leishmaniasis occurs focally in Turkey, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Other vector-borne infections include murine typhus, spotted fever due to R. conorii, tick-borne encephalitis (in Turkey), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever* (in Iran, Iraq, and the Arabian peninsula), tick-borne relapsing fever, sandfly fever, and West Nile fever. Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis are endemic in focal areas of Yemen.
Food- and water-borne infections: Risk of hepatitis A is high in many parts of the area; typhoid fever occurs sporadically and in outbreaks. Outbreaks of hepatitis E have been reported in Iran and Jordan. Cholera was reported from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran in 2002-2003. Brucellosis is widespread and common in parts of the region.
Airborne and person-to-person transmission: Pilgrims to the Hajj (Saudi Arabia) have acquired meningococcal infections caused by serotypes A and W-135, as well as influenza infections. The annual incidence of tuberculosis per 100,000 population is estimated to be 100-300 in Yemen and Iraq and 50-100 or less in the rest of the region. Measles continues to be reported from the region.
Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections: The prevalence of hepatitis B chronic infection is >8% in Saudi Arabia and 2%-7% in much of the rest of the region. The prevalence of HIV is estimated to be <1% throughout the region.
Zoonotic infections: Anthrax* is enzootic in Turkey, and sporadic cases occur in most of the region except for Oman. Rabies is widespread in the region. Endemic foci of plague* have been identified in the region in the past. Q fever* is common in most countries in the region. Echinococcosis* is endemic in many rural areas. Outbreaks of oropharyngeal tularemia* have been reported from Turkey.
Soil- and water-associated infections: Schistosomiasis has been found in focal areas in Saudi Arabia, Yemen. Iraq, and Syria.
Other risks for travelers include motor vehicle accidents, intentional injuries, and injuries related to ongoing conflicts. Snake and scorpion bites are an additional hazard. Screening of blood before transfusion is inadequate in many hospitals.
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