Current Travel Health News

The Ministry of Health of Uganda had notified WHO of an outbreak of Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever in Kibaale district in the western part of the country. Since the beginning of July 2012, a total of 20 cases, including 14 deaths have been reported in Uganda.

(Source: World Health Organization 29 July 2012)

Thailand had confirmed its first fatal case this year from Enterovirus 71 Infection that had caused more than 400 deaths of children across Asia. The 2 year-old girl who died at a Bangkok hospital last week had a form of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease caused by Enterovirus 71 Infection. The Public Health Ministry said about 16 000 children in Thailand contracted Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease this year.

(Source: ProMED-mail 27 July 2012)

There were 15 confirmed cases in the Legionnaires’ Disease outbreak in Stoke-on-Trent, the United Kingdom. All those affected are between their late 40s and mid 70s. Investigation of the source of infection is ongoing.

(Source: Health Protection Agency 27 July 2012)

The Democratic Republic of the Congo reported a sharp increase in the number of Cholera cases in the armed conflict area of North Kivu. According to the report, 368 new cases were reported from 11June to 1 July. The most affected areas included Birambizo, Goma, Karisimbi, Kiroshe, Mutwanga, Mweso and Rwanguba.

(Source: World Health Organization 23 July 2012)

There had been 4 249 cases of Cholera and 76 deaths since January 2012.

(Source: ProMED-mail 26 July 2012)

In Gujarat, India Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever had affected about 18 people and claimed 7 lives.

(Source: ProMED-mail 22 July2012)

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.