Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (6 August 2012)
More than 18 000 cases of pertussis had been reported in USA so far this year. This represented a more than 2-fold increase as compared with the same period last year.
(Source: ProMED-mail 30 July 2012)
Central America and Caribbean: Cholera
As of 9 July 2012, the number of people affected in the outbreak of Cholera in Haiti had reached 579 014. Out of which, 7 418 people died.
In Dominican Republic, the outbreak of Cholera continued. A total of 25 767 suspected cases with 411 deaths were reported since the outbreak began till June this year.
An outbreak of Cholera affecting 137 people with 3 deaths was reported in Granma province, Cuba.
(Source: ProMED-mail 31 July 2012)
A fatal human case of Yellow Fever was reported in Ayacucho region, Peru making a total of two fatal cases reported in the region so far this year.
(Source: ProMED-mail 1 August 2012)
Uganda: Ebola Hemorrhagic fever [update]
In Uganda, a total of 53 suspected cases of Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever with 16 deaths had been reported in Kibaale district since the outbreak began in July this year. Of these, five cases had been laboratory confirmed.
(Source: World Health Organization 3 August 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)
Philippines: Black Travel Alert
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)
WHO FAQs: Japan Nuclear Concerns
For more information, please visit the World Health Organization webpage.