Travel Health Service Year 2014

Travel Health News Digest (12 August 2014 - 18 August 2014)

Take precautions against dengue fever when travelling abroad

Dengue fever is now endemic in more than 100 countries in Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. This includes various popular tourist destinations for Hong Kong people including the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Travellers planning to travel in these areas should take precautions against the disease.

Cumulative reported number of dengue cases since 01/01/2014 *

	Cumulative reported no. of cases since 01/01/2014	Source of information and date of report
Australia	1.057	World Health Organization, 15 July 2014
Brazil	659,051	World Health Organization, 28 July 2014
Cambodia	1,007	World Health Organization, 15 July 2014
Guangdong Taiwan	18 688	Department of Health of Guangdong Province, 15 July 2014 CDC, ROC (Taiwan), 11 August 2014
India	5,218	Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India, 31 July 2014
Lao PDR	820	World Health Organization, 15 July 2014
Malaysia	44,518	World Health Organization, 15 July 2014
Mexico	39,269	World Health Organization, 28 July 2014
New Caledonia	111	World Health Organization, 15 July 2014
Philippines	31,088	World Health Organization, 15 June 2014
Singapore	12,695	Singapore National Environment Agency, 8 August 2014
Sri Lanka	25,708	Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, 8 August 2014
Thailand	15,595	Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, 30 July 2014
Vietnam	6,430	World Health Organization, 15 July 2014

Remark:
* Dengue reporting systems vary by country.

Travellers should stay vigilant against dengue fever and adopt the following personal preventive measures against mosquito bite:

*	Always wear loose, light-coloured long-sleeved tops and trousers;
*	Stay in air-conditioned residence or places with mosquito screens;
*	If mosquito screen or air-conditioning is absent, aerosol insecticide and bed nets are advised;
*	Use insect repellents containing DEET on exposed skin and clothing;
*	Use insect repellents containing DEET apart from applying sunscreen while staying in beaches;
*	Re-apply insect repellents according to instructions during the trip;
*	Carry a portable bed nets and apply permethrin on it as well as to clothes if travelling to rural areas where dengue fever is prevalent.

Travellers returning from areas where dengue fever is prevalent should seek medical advice as soon as possible if they feel unwell and provide travel details to their doctors.

Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]

As of 11 August 2014, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 510 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 377 deaths. Cases have been reported from Conakry, Guekedou, Macenta, Kissidougou, Dabola, Djingaraye, Kouroussa, Boffa and Télimélé.

(Source: World Health Organization 13 August 2014)

Sierra Leone: Ebola virus disease [Update]

As of 11 August 2014, Sierra Leone has reported a cumulative total of 783 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 334 deaths. Cases have been reported from Kailahun, Kambia, Port Loko, Kenema and Western.

(Source: World Health Organization 13 August 2014)

Liberia: Ebola virus disease [Update]

As of 11 August 2014, the total number of Ebola virus disease (EVD) reported in Liberia is 670 including 355 deaths. Cases have been reported from Lofa, Montserrado, Margibi and Nimba.

(Source: World Health Organization 13 August 2014)

Nigeria: Ebola virus disease [Update]

As of 11 August 2014, the total number of Ebola virus disease (EVD) reported in Nigeria is 12 including 3 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 13 August 2014)

India: Diphtheria

At least 15 cases of diphtheria have been reported during the first week of August in Hyderabad, India.

(Source: ProMED-mail 13 August 2014)

Malaysia: Japanese Encephalitits

Three cases of Japanese encephalitis were reported in Penang, Malaysia.

(Source: ProMED-mail 12 August 2014)

Israel: West Nile Virus Infection

The Israeli Health Ministry reported 3 diagnosed cases of West Nile Virus infection in Israel in July 2014.

(Source: ProMED-mail 11 August 2014)

Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]

As of 9 August 2014, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 506 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 373deaths. Cases have been reported from Conakry, Guekedou, Macenta, Kissidougou, Dabola, Djingaraye, Kouroussa, Boffa and Télimélé.

(Source: World Health Organization 11 August 2014)

Sierra Leone: Ebola virus disease[Update]

As of 9 August 2014, Sierra Leone has reported a cumulative total of 730 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 315 deaths. Cases have been reported from Kailahun, Kambia, Port Loko, Kenema and Western.

(Source: World Health Organization 11 August 2014)

Liberia: Ebola virus disease[Update]

As of 9 August 2014, the total number of Ebola virus disease (EVD) reported in Liberia is 599 including 323 deaths. Cases have been reported from Lofa, Montserrado, Margibi and Nimba.

(Source: World Health Organization 11 August 2014)

Nigeria: Ebola virus disease

As of 9 August 2014, the total number of Ebola virus disease (EVD) reported in Nigeria is 13 including 2 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 11 August 2014)

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