Travel Health Service Year 2022

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. 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.

For more information on dengue fever, including the latest situation in neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, please visit the Centre for Health Protection’s thematic webpage at https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/38847.html

Take precautions against Monkeypox when travelling abroad

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by Monkeypox virus. Often found in tropical forest regions of Central and West Africa. It is mainly transmitted by contact with infected animals, human-to-human transmission is limited. Incubation period is mainly from 6 to 13 days, symptoms are similar with Smallpox infection, but less severe.

Since 6 May this year, multiple outbreaks were reported in Europe and North America countries, and many patient are self-identified as bisexual or men who have sex with men. Travellers planning to travel in these areas should avoid contact with infected person. Travellers returning from these areas shall notify the doctor to seek medical treatment and inform the travel situation if feeling unwell.

For more information on Monkeypox, including the latest situation in overseas countries or places, please visit the World Health Organization and Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection’s thematic webpages at: https://www.who.int/health-topics/monkeypox#tab=tab_1
https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/105683.html

Sierra Leone: Yellow fever

22 December 2022

Sierra Leone reported a confirmed case of Yellow Fever in Kono District of Eastern Province.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 20 December 2022)

Philippines: Cholera [Update]

22 December 2022

As of 3 December, Philippines recorded 6,062 cases of Cholera infection including 69 deaths. Total number of cases increased by 288% when compared to the same period last year.

The Eastern Visayas reported most number of cases with a total of 3,744 cases.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 21 December 2022)

Japan: Syphilis [Update]

21 December 2022

As of 14 December, Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases reported 12,192 Syphilis cases. Among these, Tokyo has reported 3,428 cases, followed by 1,664 cases in Osaka.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 20 December 2022)

Vietnam: Dengue Fever [Update]

21 December 2022

To date, Hanoi of Vietnam recorded 18,788 cases of Dengue Fever infection including 25 deaths. The number of cases increased by 5.6 times compared to the same period last year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 20 December 2022)

Uganda: Ebola Virus Disease [Update]

21 December 2022

To date, Uganda has recorded 142 confirmed cases of Ebola and 55 cases died. According to officials, it had been 23 days since the last confirmed case was reported in Kassanda District. The government lifted a two-month lockdown on two districts at the epicenter (Mubende and Kassanda).

(Source: Outbreak News Today 20 December 2022)

South Africa: Measles [Update]

20 December 2022

As of 7 December, South Africa reported 169 cases of confirmed Measles infection in 4 provinces: North West, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and Gauteng.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 17 December 2022)

India: Measles [Update]

20 December 2022

As of 12 December, India reported 10,416 cases of Measles infection including 40 deaths.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 16 December 2022)

Mexico: Malaria

20 December 2022

Mexico reported 20 confirmed cases of Malaria in San Pedro Tapanatepec of Oaxaca.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 15 December 2022)

El Salvador: Dengue Fever

20 December 2022

To date, El Salvador reported 16,259 cases of Dengue Fever, more than triple the case count for the same period last year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 15 December 2022)

Liberia: Lassa Fever

20 December 2022

According to the World Health Organization, since the beginning of this year through 1 December 2022, Liberia has reported 67 confirmed cases of Lassa Fever including 22 deaths (CFR 32.8%).

(Source: Outbreak News Today 15 December 2022)

Guinea: Lassa Fever

20 December 2022

The World Health Organization reported one confirmed case of Lassa Fever in the Health District of Gueckedou, Guinea on December 8.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 15 December 2022)