Current Travel Health News

In Canada, an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease affecting 15 people including one death was reported in Quebec City.

(Source: ProMED-mail 5 August 2012)

As of 21 July this year, 43 suspected cases of hand, foot and mouth disease were reported in the Philippines. Out of which, two cases were tested positive for Enterovirus 71. Most of the cases were reported from Southern Luzon and Davao.

(Source: ProMED-mail 5 August 2012)

Up to August this year, 131 cases of mumps were reported in Asturias, Spain, approximately 80 cases more as compared with the whole year last year.

(Source: ProMED-mail 8 August 2012)

On 8 Aug 2012, the United States Massachusetts officials announced that a man in his 60s has been diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalitis. The man became ill on 28 July after having recently travelled to the mid-Atlantic region.

(Source: ProMED-mail 9 August 2012)

A 49-year-old man was confirmed to die of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever in Karachi of Pakistan. So far six confirmed cases had been reported in Sindh Province this year.

(Source: ProMED-mail 11 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)

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.