Current Travel Health News

The Hong Kong Government activated the Serious Response Level for Avian Influenza on 20 December last year in view of the detection of highly pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza virus in a chicken carcass sample taken from the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market. After the enhanced surveillance and control measures over the past 3 weeks, the risk of Avian Influenza in Hong Kong, especially to humans, has more or less stabilized. In this connection, the Government reverts the response level for Avian Influenza to Alert Response Level today (12 January 2012).

For more information, please refer to the website of Centre for Health Protection.

(Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong 12 January 2012)

The Ministry of Health and Population of Egypt has notified WHO 1 case of human infection with Avian Influenza A (H5N1) virus. A 42-year-old male had onset of symptoms on 16 December and died on 22 December.

(Source: WHO 5 January 2012)

By the end of 2011, according to a report of hospital services in the daïra of Mecheria, Algeria, some 330 cases of cutaneous Leishmaniasis have been recorded in the subdistrict.

(Source: Promed Mail 1 January 2012)

The number of Malaria cases in Rajasthan, India has raised to 53 000 by the end of November 2011 while the total number of malaria in year 2010 was 51 000. Among them, there was an increase in number of dangerous Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria cases from 2 000 to 2 900.

(Source: Promed Mail 04 January 2012)

There was an outbreak of Rickettsiosis in Michoacan, Mexico. Of the 90 affected persons, 25 were laboratory confirmed.

(Source: Promed Mail 31 December 2011)

The Philippines Cagayan de Oro City Health Office has already recorded 200 cases of Leptospirosis infection, with 5 deaths.

(Source: Promed Mail 3 January 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)