Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (19 November 2012)
Uganda: Ebola Hemorrhagic fever
According to the Ministry of Health of Uganda, an outbreak of Ebola Hemorrhagic fever was detected in Luweero district in Central Uganda. Four cases including 3 deaths have been reported.
(Source: World Health Organization 17 November 2012)
According to the local health authority in Thailand, the number of people diagnosed with Dengue Fever has risen significantly this year. As of 30 October 2012, a total of 55 485 confirmed cases have been reported and 52 people died of the infection.
(Source: ProMED-mail 15 November 2012)
Mexico: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Mexico health department detected 4 confirmed and 4 suspected cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever at Cohuila States. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is transmitted by the bite of infective ticks. Its incubation period ranges from 3 to 10 days. Patient may present with fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea and skin rash. Travellers should adopt measures similar to anti-mosquito measures to avoid tick bite.
(Source: ProMED-mail 14 November 2012)
In Darfur, Sudan, outbreak of Yellow fever continued. As of 11 November 2012, 329 suspected cases including 97 deaths were reported and most of the suspected cases were reported from Central and South Darfur.
(Source: World Health Organization 13 November 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.