Current Travel Health News

As of 15 October, the Ministry of Health of Singapore has reported 4 560 cases of Dengue Fever and 17 cases of Haemorrhagic Dengue Fever this year.

(Source: Ministry of Health, Singapore 19 October 2011)

A spike in Influenza cases have been reported across Australia, with 25 000 confirmed cases reported to state and territory health authorities to the end of September 2011.

(Source: ProMED-mail 20 October 2011)

The number of Malaria cases in Bikaner's Sardar Patel Medical College in India hit record levels with around 1 400 patients being admitted to the hospital in the last fortnight with 6 deaths.

(Source: ProMED-mail 17 October 2011)

The number of Leptospirosis infection increases nationwide in the Philippines. From January to 24 September this year, the Department of Health recorded at least 2 061 cases of leptospirosis with 156 casualties. This number is 195 per cent higher than the number of cases in the same period of last year (699 cases).

(Source: ProMED-mail 18 October 2011)

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is spreading throughout all 63 cities and provinces in Vietnam. As of 17 October 2011, more than 71 470 people were affected, of whom 130 died.

(Source: ProMED-mail 18 October 2011)

In Zimbabwe, a case of Rift Valley Fever affecting a 21-year-old Caucasian traveller who has visited the rural region of Marondera was reported. This is the first report of human Rift Valley fever from Zimbabwe.

(Source: ProMED-mail 20 October 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.