Current Travel Health News

According to the information from the health authority of Macau, there were two local cases of dengue fever reported in Macau. Both did not have travel history during the incubation period.

To prevent dengue fever, travelers are advised to:

• * Wear long-sleeved tops and trousers;
• * Use insect repellent on exposed parts of the body; and
• * Use mosquito screens or nets in rooms which are not air-conditioned.

Travellers feeling unwell after returning from a trip should seek medical advice as soon as possible and provide travel details to their doctor.

(Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong 15 September 2012)

An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease was detected in Blanes, Spain.  As of 10 September 2012, 8 people were affected with 3 hospitalized.

(Source: ProMED-mail 12 September 2012)

As of 5 September 2012, a total of 16, 360 cases of Cholera including 255 deaths had been reported in Sierra Leone.

(Source: World Health Organization 8 September 2012)

The outbreak of West Nile Virus infection continued to affect Texas of the USA. As of 4 September 2012, a total of 1993 cases including 87 deaths had been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

(Source: ProMED-mail 10 September 2012)

As of 7 September 2012, a total of eight cases of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) had been reported in tourists who stayed in Yosemite National Park, USA on separate occasions since June 2012. Three tourists died of the infection.

(Source: NaTHNaC 6 September 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.