Current Travel Health News

There were 2 new cases of Japanese Encephalitis in Taichung, Taiwan. Two women aged 30 and 42 developed symptoms of fever and headache in late June. There have been 23 confirmed cases of in Taiwan so far in 2012

(Source: ProMED-mail 17July 2012)

The Federal Ministry of Health of Nigeria reported that as of 6 July 2012, there were a total of 933 suspected Lassa Fever cases, 147 laboratory confirmed cases and 93 deaths (case-fatality rate is 9.97%) reported from 23 States of the country.

(Source: ProMED-mail 14 July 2012)

In mainland China, Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease cases started to increase in March 2012. As of May, there had been 889 909 cases and 244 deaths reported. The latest monthly case reports are the highest for this year and since 2010.

In Japan, as of 10 June 2012, there had been 9 526 cases reported. The number of cases had been increasing in recent weeks.

In Republic of Korea, case number had increased from 1.6 cases per 1 000 outpatients for the week ending 9 June 2012 to 14.9 cases per 1 000 outpatients reported for the week ending 16 June 2012.

In Thailand, as of 18 July 2012, a total of 13 918 cases had been reported with no death. Cases had increased in recent months with majority reported from central, northern, north-east and southern provinces.

(Source: NaTHNaC 19 July 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.