Current Travel Health News

In India, Avian Influenza H5N1 virus was identified in 500-1 000 dead crows.

(Source: ProMED-mail 5 December 2011)

Over 40 people were tested positive for Scrub Typhus and admitted in hospitals with 5 people died in Meghalaya district, India.

(Source: Promed Mail 7 December 2011)

One case of Poliomyelitis was reported in Afghanistan in the past week, bringing the total number of cases for 2011 to 59

(Source: Promed Mail 8 December 2011)

Six cases of Poliomyelitis were reported in Pakistan in the past week, bringing the total number of cases for 2011 to 167

(Source: Promed Mail 8 December 2011)

Chile had detected 2 030 cases of Pertussis this year. A significant rise compared to 800 cases at most during normal period.

(Source: Promed Mail 6 December 2011)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of USA reported on 28 November 2011 that 18 cases of Legionnaires' Disease were documented so far this year in the New England. The figures are nearly doubled in comparison to 11 cases in year 2010.

(Source: Promed Mail 2 December 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)

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