Current Travel Health News

In China, as of 15 August 2011, 4 cases have been confirmed Anthrax while 28 others were still being investigated in Liaoning province. An initial investigation by local health authorities showed that the patients contracted the disease after direct contact with diseased cattle.

(Source: ProMED-mail 11 August 2011)

From the beginning of July 2011 to 11 August 2011, West Nile Virus infection has officially been reported by Albania (2 cases), Greece (22 cases), Israel (6 cases), Romania (1 case) and the Russian Federation (11 cases).

(Source: World Health Organization 16 August 2011)

The Ministry of Health of Cambodia announced a confirmed case of human H5N1 Avian Influenza. The victim was a 6-year-old girl from Kampong Cham Province. She developed symptoms on 7 August 2011 and died on 14 August 2011. She had history of exposure to sick poultry.

(Source: ProMED-mail 19 August 2011)

As of 6 August 2011, Singapore reported a weekly figure of 179 Dengue Fever cases, a decrease from the previous week of 263 cases.

(Source: ProMED-mail 18 August 2011)

As of 14 August 2011, the Philippines reported more than 46 000 cases of Dengue Fever with 267 deaths in the year. About 6 000 new patients were reported in the last 2 weeks alone.

(Source: ProMED-mail 18 August 2011)

As of 15 August 2011, Sri Lanka reported 15 614 cases of Dengue Fever.

(Source: Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka 15 August 2011)

As of 12 August 2011, India reported 39 confirmed cases of Chikungunya Fever in Goa.

(Source: ProMED-mail 14 August 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.