Current Travel Health News

The Ministry of Health of Vietnam reported a confirmed case of human infection with Avian Influenza (H5N1) virus. The case was a 31 year-old male from Dak Lak province. He developed symptoms on 29 February and was currently being treated in hospital. Investigation indicated that the man was involved in the slaughter and consumption of sick poultry.

To date, of the 123 confirmed cases reported in Vietnam, 61 have been fatal.

(Source: WHO 12 March 2012)

In Vietnam, cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease had surged, infecting nearly 12 400 children and killing 11 in the first 2 months of this year. This figure is 7.5 times higher than the same period last year.

(Source: Promed Mail 13 March 2012)

The Ministry of Health of Indonesia notified WHO of a new case of human infection with Avian Influenza (H5N1) virus. The case was a 24 year-old female from Bengkulu Province. She developed fever on 23 February and died on 1 March.

To date, of the 187 cases reported in Indonesia since 2005, 155 have been fatal.

(Source: World Health Organization 12 March 2012)

The Ministry of Health of Uganda announced an outbreak of Cholera in some parts of the country. There had been 280 cholera cases reported in the districts of Kasese, Mbale, Sironko, Bududa and Buliisa.

(Source: ProMED-mail 10 March 2012)

In Brazil, a 9 year-old boy was diagnosed with human Rabies, who died on 12 March. He was bitten by a marmoset (tamarin monkey) on 3 February while playing with the animal in the Jaiti municipality.

(Source: ProMED-mail 14 March 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 website.