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	1,563	World Health Organization, 15 December 2015
Brazil	1,534,932	World Health Organization, 8 December 2015
Cambodia	14,005	World Health Organization, 15 December 2015
Guangdong Taiwan	1,312 43,148^	Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China, 9 October 2015 CDC, ROC (Taiwan), 31 December 2015
India	90,040	Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India, 30 November 2015
Japan	278	National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan, 22 December 2015
Lao PDR	1,730	World Health Organization, 15 December 2015
Malaysia	111,285	World Health Organization, 15 December 2015
Mexico	201,578	World Health Organization, 8 December 2015
Philippines	169,435	World Health Organization, 15 December 2015
Singapore	11,090	Singapore National Environment Agency, 30 December 2015
Sri Lanka	29,063	Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, 30 December 2015
Thailand	141,375	Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, 30 December 2015
Vietnam	58,633	World Health Organization, 15 December 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.

The total number of Ebola virus disease (EVD) reported in Liberia after 9 May 2015 is 9, including 3 deaths.

Nearly 200 new suspected cases of microcephaly potentially related to the spread of Zika virus were reported in Brazil over the past week, raising the total of suspected cases to 2,975.

The total number of Ebola virus disease (EVD) reported in Liberia after 9 May 2015 is 9, including 3 deaths.

Outbreaks of avian influenza (H5N1) have been reported in Greater Accra region of Ghana, affecting more than 27,000 poultry.

Nigeria reported 2 fatal cases of Lassa fever.

The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health is closely monitoring a human fatal case of avian influenza A (H7N9) affecting a man aged 61 in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.

According to the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province, the man with underlying illnesses was admitted to a local hospital on December 22 and passed away the next day. The deceased had visited a local market and had contact with live poultry.