Current Travel Health News

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

Following an incident occurred at a nuclear plant in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan on 12 March 2011, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has raised the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for Fukushima Prefecture and 3 more prefectures (Miyagi Prefecture, Ibaraki Prefecture and Iwate Prefecture) to Black on 12 March and 15 March respectively. Residents in Hong Kong or Japan are urged to avoid all travel to Fukushima Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture, Ibaraki Prefecture and Iwate Prefecture. Those already in Japan should pay attention to the announcement of local government and take practicable measures to attend to their personal safety.

For more information, please visit the OTA webpage.

(Source: Security Bureau, Government of Hong Kong SAR 12 and 15 March 2011)

In Indonesia, outbreaks of H5N1 Avian Influenza among poultries were reported in several villages in Gorontalo province.

(Source: World Organization for Animal Health 26 April 2011)

In Mexico, a case of Cholera affecting a 10-year-old child was reported recently. The child was treated and had recovered. Chlorination systems throughout the country had been strengthened to protect the public.

(Source: ProMED-mail 30 April 2011)

In Zimbabwe, serious shortage of drugs for the treatment of Malaria in most districts had been reported. So far 125 deaths of malaria have been reported and a further 71 858 people have been treated for the disease this year.

(Source: ProMED-mail 30 April 2011)

As of 25 April, the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka has reported 3 883 cases of Dengue Fever this year, of whom 36 died.

(Source: Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka 25 April 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)