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)

The Ministry of Health of Egypt announced four new human cases of H5N1 Avian Influenza infection. The cases were two women aged 20 and 55 from Behira Governorate, a 2-year-old girl from Menofeya Governorate and a 1-year-old boy from Fayoum Governorate respectively. The 20-year-old woman from Behira Governorate died on 28 March and the others were in a stable condition. Of the 141 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 46 had been fatal.

(Source: World Health Organization 11 April 2011)

In Bangladesh, one human case of H5N1 Avian Influenza was reported in Dhaka. The victim was a 2-year-old boy who developed symptoms on 1 March 2011. He had completely recovered.

(Source: World Health Organization 11 April 2011)

In South Africa, an outbreak of H5N2 Avian Influenza which killed 100 birds was reported in an ostrich farm in Western Cape province. The outbreak was discovered during routine surveillance. Mortalities and clinical signs started afterwards.

(Source: ProMED-mail 13 April 2011)

In Swaziland, an outbreak of Malaria affecting more than 20 people was reported in Northern Hhohho.

(Source: ProMED-mail 10 April 2011)

In Australia, over 600 cases of Ross River virus infection have been reported in Western Australia since July last year. Perth was also affected. The disease is transmitted by mosquito bite.

(Source: ProMED-mail 14 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)