Current Travel Health News

As the dengue activity in southern Taiwan remains high, public are reminded to take anti-mosquito measures when travelling to the area and other Southeast Asian countries, in order to prevent dengue fever.

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 01/01/2015 *

	Cumulative reported no. of cases since 01/01/2015	Source of information and date of report
Australia	1,486	World Health Organization, 17 November 2015
Brazil	1,485,397	World Health Organization, 6 November 2015
Cambodia	12,218	World Health Organization, 17 November 2015
Guangdong Taiwan	1,312 35,744^	Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China, 9 October 2015 CDC, ROC (Taiwan), 20 November 2015
India	64,058	Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India, 25 October 2015
Japan	258	National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan, 17 November 2015
Lao PDR	1,641	World Health Organization, 17 November 2015
Malaysia	102,801	World Health Organization, 17 November 2015
Mexico	166,255	World Health Organization, 6 November 2015
Philippines	124,728	World Health Organization, 17 November 2015
Singapore	9,144	Singapore National Environment Agency, 19 November 2015
Sri Lanka	24,238	Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, 18 November 2015
Thailand	111,825	Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, 18 November 2015
Vietnam	39,410	World Health Organization, 17 November 2015

Remark:
* Dengue reporting systems vary by country.
^ Cumulative local cases since this summer

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 has reported a cumulative total of 3,804 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 2,536 deaths.

Sierra Leone has reported a cumulative total of 14,122 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 3,955 deaths.

On 20 November 2015, 3 new cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) were diagnosed in Liberia.

Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 3,805 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 2,536 deaths.

Sierra Leone has reported a cumulative total of 14,122 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 3,955 deaths.

A case of Zika virus infection was reported in Jakarta, Indonesia.