Travel Health Service Year 2015

Current Travel Health News

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 01/01/2015 *

 

Cumulative reported no.
of cases since 01/01/2015

Source of information and date of report

Australia

1000

World Health Organization, 17 June 2015

Brazil

1,021,004

World Health Organization, 29 June 2015

Cambodia

704

World Health Organization, 17 June 2015

Guangdong

Taiwan

30

276

Department of Health of Guangdong Province, 26 May 2015
CDC, ROC (Taiwan), 3 July 2015

India

3,816

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India, 29 May 2015

Japan

110

National National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan, 30 June 2015

Lao PDR

304

World Health Organization, 17 June 2015

Malaysia

47,112

World Health Organization, 17 June 2015

Mexico

37,025

World Health Organization, 29 June 2015

Philippines

28,600

World Health Organization, 17 June 2015

Singapore

4,247

Singapore National Environment Agency, 2 July 2015

Sri Lanka

16,119

Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, 30 June 2015

Thailand

24,742

Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, 30 June 2015

Vietnam

13,049

World Health Organization, 17 June 2015

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.

 

Republic of Korea : Middle East Respiratory Syndrome [Update]

Between 1 and 3 July 2015, the National IHR Focal Point of the Republic of Korea notified WHO of 2 additional confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). To date, a total of 184 MERS-CoV cases, including 33 deaths, have been reported to WHO by the National IHR Focal Point of the Republic of Korea.

(Source: World Health Organization 3 July 2015)

 

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome [Update]

Between 19 and 30 June 2015, the National IHR Focal Point of Oman notified WHO of 6 additional case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection.

(Source: World Health Organization 3 July 2015)

 

Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]

Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 3,750 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 2,492 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 3 July 2015)

 

Liberia: Ebola virus disease [Update]

The total number of Ebola virus disease (EVD) reported in Liberia after 9 May 2015 is 40, including 5 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 3 July 2015)

 

Sierra Leone: Ebola virus disease [Update]

Sierra Leone has reported a cumulative total of 13,135 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 3,935 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 3 July 2015)

 

Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]

Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 3,745 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 2,490 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 2 July 2015)

 

Sierra Leone: Ebola virus disease [Update]

Sierra Leone has reported a cumulative total of 13,129 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 3,933 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 2 July 2015)

 

South Korea: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome [Update]

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is closely monitoring an additional case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported by Korea. According to the preliminary information of the health authority of Korea, the patient is a nurse of Samsung Medical Centre. To date, 182 MERS cases have been confirmed by Korea. In addition, another case was exported from Korea to Mainland China.

(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 2 July 2015)

 

Liberia: Ebola virus disease

The Department of Health (DH) is closely monitoring an additional case of Ebola virus disease reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by Liberia, and again urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel to affected areas. According to the WHO, it was the first case confirmed since March 20 and after the end of the Ebola outbreak in Liberia was declared on May 9.

(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 2 July 2015)

 

Pakistan: Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

A suspected case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever was reported in Pakistan on 30 June 2015.

(Source: ProMED-mail 1 July 2015)

 

Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]

Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 3,729 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 2,482 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 1 July 2015)

 

Sierra Leone: Ebola virus disease [Update]

Sierra Leone has reported a cumulative total of 13,119 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 3,932 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 1 July 2015)

 

Cambodia: Rabies

A young female resident in Cambodia died of rabies last week.

(Source: ProMED-mail 30 June 2015)

 

Brazil: Zika Virus Infection

Cases of Zika virus infection were reported in different areas of Brazil (including Ceara, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro).

(Source: ProMED-mail 30 June 2015)

 

United Arab Emirates: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome [Update]

The Department of Health (DH) is closely monitoring two additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of health risks of the places of visit. According to the WHO, the cases include:
  • A female asymptomatic family contact aged 46 of a previously confirmed patient; and
  • A male asymptomatic family contact aged 11 of a previously confirmed patient.

In addition, a previously confirmed patient died.

(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 29 June 2015)

 

Russia: Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

50 cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever were reported in the Rostov region of Russia.

(Source: ProMED-mail 29 June 2015)

 

Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]

Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 3,724 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 2,482 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 29 June 2015)

 

Sierra Leone: Ebola virus disease [Update]

Sierra Leone has reported a cumulative total of 13,115 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 3,932 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 29 June 2015)