Current Travel Health News

In Indonesia, a suspected outbreak of Avian Influenza was reported. Three people died and another 13 in Air Batu village in North Sumatra have been admitted to hospital with symptoms of bird flu. Prior to this, a lot of chickens died suddenly a week before. Villagers are later tested negative of bird flu.

(Source: ProMED-mail 6 and 10 August 2008)

In Singapore, an outbreak of Chikungunya Fever affecting 28 people was reported in Kranji Way since 2 August. Preliminary investigations indicate that the cluster is due to local transmission. As of 8 August, the country has recorded a total of 95 cases of Chikungunya Fever in 2008, 49 were infected locally and 46 cases overseas.

(Source: Ministry of Health, Singapore 6 and 8 August 2008)

As of 3 June this year, a total of 14 063 cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, including one death , were reported in Singapore. The number of cases reported to the authority started to go down.

(Source: ProMED 8 August 2008)

In Thailand, Dengue Fever has spread across the country, killing 48 people and infecting more than 40 000 so far in 2008. Bangkok has the hardest hit with 3 763 patients.

(Source: ProMED-mail 6 August 2008)

As of late July in 2008, 21 000 cases of Dengue Fever have been reported in Vietnam.

(Source: ProMED-mail 6 August 2008)

In Brazil, 36 372 cases of Dengue Fever, including 18 deaths, were reported in Ceara. This year, Ceara is living through the second highest number of dengue cases since 1986.

(Source: ProMED-mail 6 August 2008)

In Cote d'Ivoire, an outbreak of Yellow Fever affecting 9 people was reported in the capital Abidjan. Out of which, 5 cases were laboratory-confirmed.

(Source: World Health Organization 8 August 2008)

In the Federated States of Micronesia, an outbreak of Hepatitis A was reported in Chuuk.

(Source: ProMED-mail 7 August 2008)

A 28-year-old man was diagnosed Leptospirosis after returning to Hong Kong from a short trip to Sabah, Malaysia in from late June to early July. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease. Human infections usually occur through contact with urine excreted by infected mammals primarily through skin abrasions, open wounds or mucous membranes, and occasionally through ingestion or inhalation. Overseas outbreaks of leptospirosis are usually related to occupational or recreational exposures, such as water contaminated with urine of infected animals.

(Source: Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, HKSAR 10 August 2008)