Current Travel Health News

The Ministry of Health of Indonesia announced two new human case of H5N1 Avian Influenza. The first victim was a 5-year-old girl from Bangli district of Bali Province who developed symptoms on 27 September and was admitted on 5 October. She died on 9 October. The second victim was a 10-year-old boy who was the brother of the first victim. He developed symptoms on 30 September and was admitted on 5 October. He died on 10 October. A total of 181 cases with 149 deaths have been reported in Indonesia so far.

(Source: World Health Organization 26 October 2011)

In India, 237 Malaria cases were reported in New Delhi.

(Source: Promed Mail 30 October 2011)

A total of 2 271 cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease were reported in Sarawak of Malaysia as of 22 Oct 2011.

(Source: Promed Mail 23 October 2011)

In Vietnam, 2 900 new cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease were recorded last week. The number of HFMD infections is expected to rise further.

(Source: Promed Mail 29 October 2011)

The North Carolina Division of Public Health is investigating a Verocytotoxigenic E. coli outbreak in Wake County, affecting at least 6 children and one adult.

(Source: Promed Mail 26 October 2011)

In Indonesia, at least 94 people contracted Chikungunya Fever in Sungan and Kuala Kuala village of central Java.

(Source: Pro-MED mail 23 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.