FEMERAID International – the health service institution of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories (KMFAP) – provides updates for all our Knights and Dames on the current outbreaks and risks worldwide with recommendations:

Angola: Polio in Luanda, booster recommended, carry proof of vaccination 

Chad: Ongoing diphtheria outbreak in Batha region, ensure vaccination is up to date

Comoros: Cholera outbreak, ensure safe food and water consumption, consider vaccination

Congo (DRC): Ituri province: Increase in cases of plague, avoid flea bites. Mpox outbreak, observe strict hygiene measures, avoid contact with sick people 

Côte d’Ivoire: Increase in measles infections, ensure vaccination is up to date 

Ethiopia: Measles outbreak in several regions, ensure vaccination is up to date 

Guinea: Diphtheria outbreak, ensure vaccination is up to date 

Mauritania: Increase in measles, ensure vaccination is up to date 

Nigeria: Yobe state: Meningitis outbreak, vaccination recommended, maintain personal hygiene 

Réunion (France): Leptospirosis, follow hygiene measures and avoid contaminated water 

Senegal: West Nile virus in Matam region, avoid mosquito bites 

Sierra Leone: Polio detected; booster recommended, carry proof of vaccination 

Somalia: Cholera outbreak in flood-affected areas, ensure safe food and water consumption, consider vaccination 

Somalia: Measles outbreak, ensure vaccination is up to date 

Tanzania: Cholera outbreak across several regions, ensure safe food, water consumption, consider vaccination. Rise in conjunctivitis, pay attention to hygiene 

Uganda: Rise in conjunctivitis, pay attention to hygiene 

Zambia: Eastern, Northern provinces: Rise in conjunctivitis, pay attention to hygiene 

Zimbabwe: Cholera outbreak, ensure safe food and water consumption, consider vaccination 

Brazil: Increase in dengue activity, avoid mosquito bites. Increase in Zika in Espirito Santo state, avoid mosquito bites 

Colombia: Dengue outbreak, avoid mosquito bites. Yellow fever outbreak in Putumayo department, vaccination recommended and avoid mosquito bites 

French Guiana (France): Surge in dengue infections, avoid mosquito bites 

Guatemala: Guillain-Barre syndrome, maintain hygiene, choose safe food and water. Increase in dengue activity, avoid mosquito bites 

Guyana: Yellow fever infections in Potaro-Siparuni, vaccination recommended, avoid mosquito bites 

Honduras: Rise in dengue activity; avoid mosquito bites 

Mexico: Increase in dengue in Guerrero, Tabasco states; avoid mosquito bites Paraguay: Dengue, avoid mosquito bites 

Turks and Caicos Islands: Dengue fever outbreak, avoid mosquito bites 

Uruguay: Meningococcal disease, seek immediate treatment, vaccination recommended for some

Region-wide: Bird flu infections, avoid contact with birds and adhere to hygiene measures 

Australia: Increased Q fever infections in northern Queensland, avoid contact with animals. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in Victoria state, follow hygiene measures 

East Timor: Increase in chikungunya, avoid mosquito bites 

India: Karnataka state: Rise in Kyasanur Forest Disease infections, avoid tick bites. Rise in varicella (chickenpox), ensure vaccination is up to date, follow hygiene measures 

Japan: Increase in serious streptococcal infections, pay attention to personal hygiene 

New Caledonia (France): Outbreak of shigellosis, pay attention to hygiene, choose safe food and water 

Thailand: Pertussis increasing in southern provinces, ensure vaccination is up to date 

Vietnam: Rise in rabies, avoid contact with animals, consider pre-exposure vaccination, seek prompt treatment if exposed 

Austria: Increase in measles, ensure vaccination is up to date 

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Increase in measles, ensure vaccination is up to date 

Czech Republic: Increase in pertussis, ensure vaccination is up to date 

Kyrgyzstan: Increase in measles, ensure vaccination is up to date 

Luxembourg: Increase in pertussis, ensure vaccination is up to date 

Montenegro: Pertussis increasing, ensure vaccination is up to date 

Netherlands: Pertussis increasing, ensure vaccination is up to date 

Romania: Measles outbreak, ensure vaccination is up to date 

Spain: Increase in pertussis, ensure vaccination is up to date 

United Kingdom: Increase in measles, Pertussis increasing, ensure vaccination is up to date 

FEMERAID International strongly recommends the following to all Knights and Dames planning to travel to the above-mentioned regions: 

Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated about the local health situation in the regions you plan to visit. 

Preventive Measures: Follow local health authorities’ recommended preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection. 

Seek Medical Attention: If you experience any symptoms related to the above diseases, seek medical attention immediately. 

Prioritize Personal Health: Adhere to vaccination schedules to ensure you have adequate protection against prevalent diseases. 

Mosquito Bite Prevention: Take necessary precautions, especially measures to prevent mosquito bites. Use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved clothing and stay in well-screened accommodations. 

For further advice or assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to FEMERAID’s General Secretary (secretary.general@femeraid.org). Your health and safety are of paramount importance for our Sovereign State.

2nd April 2024