Current Travel Health News
Current Travel Health News
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. |
Source of information and date of report |
Australia |
567 |
World Health Organization, 8 April 2014 |
Brazil |
18,580 |
World Health Organization, 8 April 2014 |
Cambodia |
192 |
World Health Organization, 8 April 2014 |
Guangdong |
3 |
Department of Health of Guangdong Province, 15 April 2014 |
India |
1,203 |
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India, 28 February 2014 |
Lao PDR |
336 |
World Health Organization, 8 April 2014 |
Malaysia |
23,633 |
World Health Organization, 8 April 2014 |
Mexico |
3,298 |
World Health Organization, 8 April 2014 |
New Caledonia |
154 |
World Health Organization, 8 April 2014 |
Philippines |
15,374 |
World Health Organization, 8 April 2014 |
Singapore |
4,702 |
Singapore National Environment Agency, 25 April 2014 |
Sri Lanka |
7,830 |
Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, 25 April 2014 |
Thailand |
5,067 |
Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, 22 April 2014 |
Vietnam |
2,373 |
World Health Organization, 8 April 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.
United Arab Emirates: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
To date, 253 MERS cases have been reported to the WHO globally, including 93 deaths. The Department of Health (DH) is today (April 27) closely monitoring seven additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and hence called on the public to stay alert and maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene during travel. According to the WHO, all of them are from Abu Dhabi and are hospitalised under isolation in good condition. To date, 261 MERS cases have been reported to the WHO globally, including 93 deaths.
"We urge travellers, apart from avoiding contact with animals, especially camels, or visits to farms, barns or markets with camels, they should not drink raw milk, or consume food which may be contaminated by animal secretions or products, unless they have been properly cooked, washed or peeled," the spokesman reminded.
The risk assessment on MERS published by WHO can be found on WHO’s website.
(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 27 April 2014)
Taiwan: Avian Influenza, human
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) noted last night (April 25) an additional human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Taiwan affecting a 39-year-old man. According to the health authority of Taiwan, the patient, who had travelled to Beijing and Jiangsu since March 31, presented with symptoms including fever, shortness of breath and sputum after his return to Taiwan on April 19. He was admitted to a hospital on April 23. The case was laboratory confirmed last night.
(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 26 April 2014)
Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]
As of on 23 April 2014, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 218 clinical cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 141 deaths.
(Source: World Health Organization 25 April 2014)
Liberia: Ebola virus disease [Update]
As of 24 April 2014, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Liberia has reported a cumulative total of 35 clinically compatible cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD).
(Source: World Health Organization 25 April 2014)
Close to 1050 new cases of scarlet fever have been confirmed between 31 March and 6 April 2014. Since September 2013, there have been a total of 7198 new cases.
(Source: ProMED-mail 25 April 2014)
On 9 April 2014, 20 cases of Chikungunya Fever were reported in the Kingdom of Tonga. These are the first chikungunya fever cases reported in this country.
(Source: National Travel Health Network and Centre 25 April 2014)
Mainland: Avian Influenza, human
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is closely monitoring, as of yesterday (April 24), two additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Jiangxi and Jiangsu according to the latest reports of the Mainland health authority. A total of 416 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been confirmed in the Mainland, including Zhejiang (138 cases), Guangdong (103 cases), Jiangsu (53 cases), Shanghai (41 cases), Fujian (22 cases), Hunan (22 cases), Anhui (13 cases), Jiangxi (seven cases), Beijing (four cases), Henan (four cases), Guangxi (three cases), Shandong (three cases), Guizhou (one case, imported from Zhejiang), Hebei (one case) and Jilin (one case).
(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 25 April 2014)
Jordan: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
The Department of Health (DH) is today (April 25) closely monitoring an additional case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by Jordan, and hence called on the public to stay alert and maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene during travel.
According to the WHO, the male patient aged 25 with underlying illnesses is from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). He became ill on April 9, was hospitalised in the KSA on April 10 and discharged against medical advice on April 15. He sought medical care from another hospital in Jordan on April 19 where he was laboratory confirmed. The patient travelled to Abha, Mecca and Jeddah in the KSA from April 3 to 8 and he had contact with camels and consumed camel milk.
To date, 254 MERS cases have been reported to the WHO globally, including 93 deaths.
(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 25 April 2014)
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Yellow Fever
On 12 March 2014, 2 events of Yellow Fever were reported in the North and in the South of Democratic Republic of the Congo. Six laboratory-confirmed cases with yellow fever virus infection were reported.
(Source: World Health Organization 24 April 2014)
United Arab Emirates: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
The Department of Health (DH) is today (April 24) closely monitoring nine additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the United Arab Emirates, and hence called on the public to stay alert and maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene during travel.
According to the WHO, three of the patients with underlying illnesses are from Abu Dhabi with no animal exposure. The remaining six also from Abu Dhabi are close contacts of a previously confirmed patient. They had no animal exposure or recent travel history. They are hospitalised under isolation and are in good condition.
To date, 253 MERS cases have been reported to the WHO globally, including 93 deaths.
(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 24 April 2014)
Taiwan: Avian Influenza, human
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) noted last night (April 22) an additional human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Taiwan affecting a woman aged 44. According to the health authority of Taiwan, the patient, with underlying illness, resides in Nanjing, Jiangsu. She presented with cough, fever and myalgia upon arrival in Taiwan on April 17 and attended a local clinic. She developed nausea, vomiting and fever on April 18 and attended a hospital on April 19. The case was laboratory confirmed last night. The patient is in serious condition.
(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 23 April 2014)
An outbreak of low pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus infection was reported in a quail farm in Stanislaus, California, USA.
(Source: World Organisation for Animal Health 22 April 2014)
Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]
As of 20 April, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 208 clinical cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 136 deaths. Cases have been reported from Conakry, Guekedou, Macenta, Kissidougou, Dabola and Djingaraye.
(Source: World Health Organization 22 April 2014)
Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]
As of 17 April, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 203 clinical cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 129 deaths. Cases have been reported from Conakry, Guekedou, Macenta, Kissidougou, Dabola and Djingaraye.
(Source: World Health Organization 19 April 2014)
Equatorial Guinea: Poliomyelitis
In Equatorial Guinea, three new wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases have been reported on 14 April 2014, the first polio in the country since 1999.
(Source: World Health Organization 17 April 2014)
Mainland: Avian Influenza, human
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is closely monitoring, as of yesterday (April 21), an additional human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Hunan according to the latest report of the Mainland health authority. A total of 414 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been confirmed in the Mainland, including Zhejiang (138 cases), Guangdong (103 cases), Jiangsu (52 cases), Shanghai (41 cases), Fujian (22 cases), Hunan (22 cases), Anhui (13 cases), Jiangxi (six cases), Beijing (four cases), Henan (four cases), Guangxi (three cases), Shandong (three cases), Guizhou (one case, imported from Zhejiang), Hebei (one case) and Jilin (one case).
(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 22 April 2014)
Greece: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
The Department of Health (DH) is today (April 21) closely monitoring an additional case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by Greece, and hence called on the public to stay alert and maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene during travel. According to the WHO, the male patient aged 69 is a Greek citizen who resides in Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is the first case of MERS in Greece.
(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 21 April 2014)
Mainland: Avian Influenza, human
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) yesterday (April 20) received notification of one additional human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) from the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province. A total of 413 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been confirmed in the Mainland, including Zhejiang (138 cases), Guangdong (103 cases), Jiangsu (52 cases), Shanghai (41 cases), Fujian (22 cases), Hunan (21 cases), Anhui (13 cases), Jiangxi (six cases), Beijing (four cases), Henan (four cases), Guangxi (three cases), Shandong (three cases), Guizhou (one case, imported from Zhejiang), Hebei (one case) and Jilin (one case).
(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 21 April 2014)
Mainland: Avian Influenza, human
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is closely monitoring, as of yesterday (April 19), an additional human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Jiangsu according to the latest report of the Mainland health authorities. A total of 412 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been confirmed in the Mainland, including Zhejiang (138 cases), Guangdong (102 cases), Jiangsu (52 cases), Shanghai (41 cases), Fujian (22 cases), Hunan (21 cases), Anhui (13 cases), Jiangxi (six cases), Beijing (four cases), Henan (four cases), Guangxi (three cases), Shandong (three cases), Guizhou (one case, imported from Zhejiang), Hebei (one case) and Jilin (one case).
(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 20 April 2014)
Mainland: Avian Influenza, human
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is closely monitoring, as of yesterday (April 18), two additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Jiangsu and Anhui according to the latest reports of the Mainland health authorities. A total of 411 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been confirmed in the Mainland, including Zhejiang (138 cases), Guangdong (102 cases), Jiangsu (51 cases), Shanghai (41 cases), Fujian (22 cases), Hunan (21 cases), Anhui (13 cases), Jiangxi (six cases), Beijing (four cases), Henan (four cases), Guangxi (three cases), Shandong (three cases), Guizhou (one case, imported from Zhejiang), Hebei (one case) and Jilin (one case).
(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 19 April 2014)
United Arab Emirates & Malaysia: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
The Department of Health (DH) is today (April 18) closely monitoring a total of five additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Malaysia, and hence called on the public to stay alert and maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene during
travel.
UAE (four cases)
According to the WHO, the cluster of four health-care workers (HCWs) was identified upon contact tracing of a previously confirmed patient from Abu Dhabi who died on April 10. They had no recent travel history or animal exposure.
According to the WHO, the cluster of four health-care workers (HCWs) was identified upon contact tracing of a previously confirmed patient from Abu Dhabi who died on April 10. They had no recent travel history or animal exposure.
Malaysia (one case)
The case involved a man aged 54 who died on April 13. Additional information reported to the WHO indicated that he had underlying illnesses. He travelled to Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a pilgrimage group of 18 people from March 15 to 28. He became ill on April 4 and was hospitalised on April 9. He visited a camel farm on March 26 during which he consumed camel milk.
To date, 243 MERS cases have been reported to the WHO globally, including 93 deaths.
(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 18 April 2014)
Mainland: Avian Influenza, human
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is closely monitoring, as of yesterday (April 17), an additional human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Jiangsu according to the latest report of the Mainland health authorities. A total of 409 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been confirmed in the Mainland, including Zhejiang (138 cases), Guangdong (102 cases), Jiangsu (50 cases), Shanghai (41 cases), Fujian (22 cases), Hunan (21 cases), Anhui (12 cases), Jiangxi (six cases), Beijing (four cases), Henan (four cases), Guangxi (three cases), Shandong (three cases), Guizhou (one case, imported from Zhejiang), Hebei (one case) and Jilin (one case).
(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 18 April 2014)
There was a leptospirosis outbreak in Boyolali district, Central Java of Indonesia. 5 people died from the disease.
(Source: ProMED-mail 18 April 2014)
Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]
As of 16 April, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 197 clinical cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 122 deaths. Cases have been reported from Conakry, Guekedou, Macenta, Kissidougou, Dabola and Djingaraye.
(Source: World Health Organization 17 April 2014)
Liberia: Ebola virus disease [Update]
As of 16 April 2014, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Liberia has reported a cumulative total of 27 clinical cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 13 deaths attributed to EVD.
(Source: World Health Organization 17 April 2014)