Current Travel Health News

The Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia has notified World Health Organization (WHO) of an outbreak of an undiagnosed illness which has affected 62 children, of which 61 have died since April 2012. The majority of cases were from the southern part of the country. The symptoms observed are high fever, followed by respiratory and/or neurologic symptoms with rapid deterioration of respiratory functions.

WHO is working with the Ministry and other partners to investigate the outbreak, to identify the cause and source of the illness.

(Source: World Health Organization 4 July 2012)

The latest report on the outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease in Edinburgh of Scotland, the United Kingdom shows that there were 48 confirmed and 47 suspected cases. Investigation of the source of infection is ongoing.

(Source: NHS Lothian 28 June 2012)

Thailand reported that an outbreak of Dengue Fever in the northern province would be likely in this year. Since the beginning of the year 2012, Chiang Mai had more than a hundred cases of Dengue Fever. Health authority of Chiang Mai reminded public that as the period from June to September is the rainy season, greater caution must be exercised against the disease.

(Source: ProMED-mail 26 June 2012)

Thailand reported an outbreak of Leptospirosis in the northeastern part of Surin district. There had been 107 confirmed cases and 7 deaths. Health authorities of the prefecture consider farmers at great risk and recommend that they wear rubber boots and rubber gloves in order to prevent infection during farm work.

(Source: ProMED-mail 26 June 2012)

A total of 6 people, including a pregnant woman, were hospitalized in Dagestan of Russia with suspected cutaneous Anthrax. The outbreak was caused by an infected animal slaughtered and sold in a local market.

(Source: ProMED-mail 29 June 2012)

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.