Current Travel Health News

WHO reported that, as of 21 July 2011, 3 167 cases of Enterohemorrhagic E. coli infection and 908 cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome, a total of 4 075 cases have been reported in 16 countries in Europe and North America. There were 3 935 cases reported in Germany alone, with 48 deaths. However, the number of new cases in Germany and France is much diminished.

WHO recommends normal hygiene measures should be observed, hand washing after toilet use and before touching food. (Please refer to the websites of Travel Health Service and Centre for Health Protection for information on hygiene measures and hand washing respectively.) Anyone who has developed bloody diarrhoea and abdominal pain, and who has had contact recently with Germany, should seek medical advice urgently.

For updated information, please refer to website of WHO.

(Source: World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe 22 July 2011)

For more information, please visit the World Health Organization webpage.

A Rabies epidemic with an increase in cases and the death of 4 people due to the infection was reported in Bolivia. As of 17 July 2011, canine rabies cases increased 115 per cent nationally when compared with the same period in 2010 during which 51 cases were recognized.

(Source: ProMED-mail 28 July 2011)

Cambodia announced a new confirmed case of human infection with H5N1 Avian Influenza. The case was a 4-year-old girl from Banteay Meanchey Province. She died on 20 July 2011. Tests confirmed she had contracted H5N1 Avian Influenza.

(Source: ProMED-mail 29 July 2011)

In New Zealand, an outbreak of Measles affecting 72 people was reported in Auckland.

(Source: ProMED-mail 24 July 2011)

As of 24 July, Thailand has reported 30 011 cases of Dengue Fever this year, of whom 19 died.

(Source: ProMED-mail 24 July 2011)

A surging outbreak of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Vietnam has killed 70 people so far in 2011 and infected more than 23 000, mostly children under 5. Most of the cases have been reported in the country's south. Enterovirus 71 is the dominant strain circulating in Vietnam.

(Source: ProMED-mail 30 July 2011)

As widespread violent clashes occurred in many cities across Syria, including Daraa, Latakia, Damascus, Baniyas, Aleppo, Homs and Hama, resulting in serious casualties, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has raised the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for Syria to Black. Residents are urged to avoid all travel to the country. Those already there should attend to their personal safety and avoid protests and large gatherings of people.

For more information, please visit the OTA webpage.

(Source: Security Bureau, Government of Hong Kong SAR 26 April 2011)

Following the hostage taking incident in the Philippines which had caused casualties, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region 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)