Travel Health Service Year 2015

Current Travel Health News

Travel Health News

Current Travel Health News

Take precautions against dengue fever when travelling abroad

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, 18 November 2015

Cambodia

12,218

World Health Organization, 17 November 2015

Guangdong

Taiwan

1,312

38,369^

Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China, 9 October 2015
CDC, ROC (Taiwan), 27 November 2015

India

64,058

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India, 25 October 2015

Japan

262

National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan, 24 November 2015

Lao PDR

1,641

World Health Organization, 17 November 2015

Malaysia

102,801

World Health Organization, 17 November 2015

Mexico

174,769

World Health Organization, 18 November 2015

Philippines

124,728

World Health Organization, 17 November 2015

Singapore

9,416

Singapore National Environment Agency, 26 November 2015

Sri Lanka

24,976

Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, 26 November 2015

Thailand

117,012

Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, 25 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.

 

Ghana: Avian Influenza, poultry

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) have been reported in Greater Accra region of Ghana.

(Source: ProMED-mail 29 November 2015)

 

Vietnam: Avian Influenza, poultry

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N6 avian influenza were reported in Central Vietnam.

(Source: ProMED-mail 28 November 2015)

 

El Salvador: Zika Virus Infection

On 24 November, the National IHR Focal Point of El Salvador notified WHO of 3 laboratory-confirmed cases of Zika virus infection.

(Source: World Health Organization 27 November 2015)

 

Brazil: Microcephaly

Up to 21 November 2015, 739 cases of microcephaly were reported in Brazil. It is suspected that these cases were associated with the infection by Zika virus.

(Source: ProMED-mail 26 November 2015)

 

Worldwide: Poliomyelitis [Update]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated the temporary recommendations regarding the international spread of poliovirus. States currently exporting wild poliovirus or circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV), i.e. Pakistan and Afghanistan, should ensure that all residents and long-term visitors (i.e. > 4 weeks) receive a dose of polio vaccine between 4 weeks to 12 months prior to international travel. For those undertaking urgent travel (i.e. within 4 weeks) who have not received a dose of polio vaccine in the previous 4 weeks to 12 months, should receive a dose of polio vaccine at least by the time of departure as this will provide benefit, particularly for frequent travellers. Travellers are provided with an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis to record their polio vaccination and serve as proof of vaccination.

The WHO also encourages residents and long-term visitors of those infected countries which are not exporting wild poliovirus or cVDPV, i.e. Nigeria, Guinea, Madagascar, Ukraine, and Lao People’s Democratic Republic, to receive a dose of polio vaccine 4 weeks to 12 months prior to international travel. For those undertaking urgent travel (i.e. within 4 weeks) should be encouraged to receive a dose at least by the time of departure. Travellers who receive such vaccination should have access to an appropriate document to record their polio vaccination status.

(Source: World Health Organization 25 November 2015)

 

Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]

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

(Source: World Health Organization 26 November 2015)

 

Liberia: Ebola virus disease [Update]

The total number of Ebola virus disease (EVD) reported in Liberia after 9 May 2015 is 9, including 2 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 26 November 2015)

 

Iraq: Cholera [Update]

As of 22 November 2015, a total of 2,810 confirmed cases of cholera were reported in Iraq.

(Source: World Health Organization 26 November 2015)

 

Tanzania: Cholera [Update]

Health officials of Tanzania notified WHO of additional laboratory-confirmed cases of cholera. Across the country, at least 9,871 cases have been reported, including 150 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 26 November 2015)

 

Laos: Poliomyelitis

Between 6 and 8 November 2015, the National IHR Focal Point of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic notified WHO of 2 confirmed polio cases.

(Source: World Health Organization 26 November 2015)

 

Guatemala: Zika Virus Infection

A case of Zika virus infection was reported in Guatemala.

(Source: ProMED-mail 25 November 2015)

 

Hawaii: Dengue fever

Hawaii health authority said that the number of locally acquired dengue fever cases on the big island of Hawaii has risen to 92.

(Source: Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy 24 November 2015)

 

Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]

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

(Source: World Health Organization 20 November 2015)

 

Sierra Leone: Ebola virus disease [Update]

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

(Source: World Health Organization 20 November 2015)

 

Liberia: Ebola virus disease [Update]

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

(Source: ProMED-mail 22 November 2015)

 

Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]

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

(Source: World Health Organization 16 November 2015)

 

Sierra Leone: Ebola virus disease [Update]

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

(Source: World Health Organization 16 November 2015)

 

Indonesia: Zika Virus Infection

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

(Source: ProMED-mail 16 November 2015)