Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (17 December 2012)
According to the Ministry of Health in Portugal, cases of dengue fever infection have still been reported on the Madeira Island. As of 9 December 2012, there have been 2050 cases of dengue infection from the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
(Source: ProMED-mail16 December 2012)
Indonesia: Avian Influenza, Human
The Ministry of Health in Indonesia reported a case of human infection with Avian Influenza (H5N1) virus. The case was a 4-year-old boy who lived in West Java. He developed symptoms on 20 November and died on 6 December.
(Source: ProMED-mail14 December 2012)
The Republic of the Congo: Yellow Fever
A confirmed case of Yellow fever infection was reported in the Ewo District of the Republic of Congo in October 2012. An emergency mass vaccination campaign would be launched in the district since next week.
(Source:World Health Organization 12 December 2012)
In China, Beijing, a total of 13 residents have died of rabies this year, more than double the number of deaths in 2011. Of the 13 affected persons, most were bitten by pet dogs rather than stray dogs and did not seek vaccination after being bitten.
(Source: ProMED-mail 11 December 2012)
Alberta Health Services in Canada has reported 6 confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease. All cases were found near southwest Calgary.
(Source: ProMED-mail 9 December 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.