Current Travel Health News

The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Hong Kong investigated a case of human infection with Avian Influenza (H5N1) virus. The patient is a 2 year-old boy who developed symptoms on 23 May in Guangdong province. He came to Hong Kong on 26 May to seek medical treatment.

The boy is put under intensive care treatment and in serious condition. Preliminary investigation revealed that he visited a wet market with live poultry in Guangzhou in mid-May.  The boy's parents are all along asymptomatic. Investigation is ongoing.

(Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong 1 June 2012)

The Ministry of Health of Cambodia announced a confirmed case of human infection with Avian Influenza (H5N1) virus. The case was a 10 year-old girl from Kampong Speu Province. She developed symptoms on 20 May and died on 27 May. There were reports of recent deaths among poultry in her village and she prepared sick chicken for food prior to becoming sick.

To date, of the 21 cases reported in Cambodia, 19 have been fatal.

(Source: World Health Organization 29 May 2012)

As of 29 April 2012, the Vietnam Ministry of Health had confirmed nearly 40 000 cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease since the beginning of 2012. Cases occurred in 63 provinces, and 20 deaths have occurred in 10 provinces. Hai Phong in the North had the highest number of cases, followed by Bac Can, Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Hoa Binh, Da Nang, Vinh Phuc, Quang Tri, Dong Thap, and Binh Dinh Provinces.

(Source: ProMED-mail 26 May 2012)

The health authority of the Turks and Caicos Islands had been investigating a recent outbreak of diarrheal disease on Providenciales. More than 100 people who stayed in or dined at local resorts over the last several weeks were affected. Norovirus Infection had been tested positive in one individual’s stool sample.

(Source: ProMED-mail 26 May 2012)

From January to 19 May 2012, when comparing to the same period of last year, Malaysia had the cumulative Dengue Fever cases (9 607) increased by 21% and deaths (20) increased by 67%.

(Source: ProMED-mail 28 May 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.