Current Travel Health News

On 17 November 2010, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health of Hong Kong reported a human case of Influenza A H5N1 infection affecting a 59-year-old woman. The patient had onset of symptoms on 2 November and was admitted to hospital on 14 November for treatment of pneumonia. Her nasopharyngeal aspirate was tested positive for Influenza A (H5N1). The patient had travel history to the Mainland with family members. Her close contacts were traced and placed under quarantine.

CHP has stepped up surveillance and epidemiological investigation since 17 November. Three weeks of strengthened surveillance has passed and no secondary spread or further case of avian influenza was detected during the period. This human case of influenza A (H5) was classified as an imported sporadic infection and is now in stable condition in the hospital.

Travellers are advised to take necessary precautions for prevention of avian influenza

(Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong 17, 18 November and 8 December 2010)

Indonesia has announced one new human case of H5N1 Avian Influenza. The victim was a 21-year-old female from Bandung City, West Java Province. She is currently in hospital. A total of 171 cases with 141 deaths have been reported in Indonesia so far.

(Source: World Health Organization 9 December 2010)

A new fatal human case of H5N1 Avian Influenza infection was reported in Egypt. The deceased was a 30-year-old man residing in Dakahlia governorate. Of the 114 confirmed cases of the disease reported in Egypt, 38 were fatal.

(Source: ProMED-mail 8 December 2010)

One of the blood tests taken from wild birds from North Jeolla Province, South Korea was positive for H5N1 Avian Influenza virus.

(Source: ProMED-mail 8 December 2010)

In Nepal, an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza which killed 66 birds was reported in a farm in Chitwan.

(Source: World Organisation for Animal Health 5 December 2010)

As of 4 December, 93 222 cases of Cholera and 2 120 deaths due to the disease were reported in Haiti.

The epidemic spread throughout the territory.  The south is seriously affected and the partial assessment of the department of Grand Anse shows a mortality rate of 58.1 percent.

(Source: ProMED-mail 7 December 2010)

Travellers to the affected areas should take the following measures to prevent food and water borne diseases:

• Wash and cook seafood thoroughly before eating, particularly crustaceans and bivalves such as shrimps, crabs, oysters and clams;

• Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet;

• Eat only thoroughly cooked food and food from sealed packs or cans;

• Avoid cold dishes such as salad and ice-cream;

• Drink only boiled water, canned or bottled drinks, pasteurized milk or dairy products;

• Do not add ice to drinks and do not drink fresh fruit juice that has been prepared beforehand;

• Do not patronize illegal food hawkers;

• Wash fruit thoroughly before eating and do not eat fruit that has already been peeled or cut open; and

• Follow proper water purification methods if necessary.

As of 7 December 2010, the number of confirmed cases of Cholera in Dominican Republic climbed to 22.  The 2 latest cases were detected in the western border province Elias Pina.

(Source: ProMED-mail 7 December 2010)

In Uganda, a suspected outbreak of pneumonic Plague affecting dozens of people with 38 deaths was reported in the northern region.

(Source: ProMED-mail 8 December 2010)

Following the hostage taking incident in the Philippines which had caused casualties, the Hong Kong SAR Government has raised the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for the Philippines to Black. Hong Kong residents are urged to avoid all travel to the Philippines. Those already there should attend to their personal safety and stay alert.

For more information, please visit the OTA webpage.

(Source: Security Bureau, Government of Hong Kong SAR 20 September 2010)