Travel Health Service Year 2024

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.

Detailed information on the latest Dengue fever situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, can be found at the Centre for Health Protection’s website: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/df_imported_cases_and_overseas_figures_eng.pdf

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 Mpox (also known as monkeypox) when travelling abroad

Mpox (also known as monkeypox) is a zoonotic disease caused by Mpox 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 2022, multiple outbreaks wer e 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 Mpox, 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

USA: Dengue fever [Update]

18 July 2024

In a follow-up on the dengue fever situation in Florida this year, the state Department of Health reported four additional locally acquired dengue fever cases during the past week. In 2024, 14 cases of locally acquired dengue have been reported in Florida.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 16 July 2024)

Nigeria: Cholera [Update]

18 July 2024

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reports 2,809 suspected cholera cases and 82 deaths from the suspected cases reported through July 7 this year from 33 states. This includes 1,614 cases and 41 deaths reported in June alone.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 17 July 2024)

Colombia: Yellow fever

18 July 2024

A confirmed case of yellow fever, a 42-year old patient in Campoalegre, has prompted a red alert in eight municipalities of Huila department. The municipalities in which the Red Alert for yellow fever was declared are: Campoalegre, Rivera, Suaza, Acevedo, Guadalupe, Garzón, Algeciras and the dispersed rural area of the east of the city of Neiva.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 15 July 2024)

Peru: Dengue fever [Update]

18 July 2024

The Peru Ministry of Health reports 258,613 cases of dengue fever. this year through July 6, an increase of 36.2 percent compared to the same period in 2023 (189,892). 241 deaths (fatality rate of 0.09%) were reported due to the disease, of which 12 are still under investigation.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 17 July 2024)

Guatemala: Dengue Fever

18 July 2024

Guatemala’s Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) has declared a National Health Emergency due to an early and steep rise in dengue cases in Guatemala.

As of late June, Guatemala is reporting more than five times the typical number of cases for this time of the year. There have been over 43,000 reported dengue infections in Guatemala. Half of the cases are in children under the age of 15 years. At this time there are 50 deaths confirmed, the majority among children under age 15.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 17 July 2024)

South Korea: Pertussis [Update]

18 July 2024

In a follow-up on the national pertussis in South Korea, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reports 6,986 total cases as of July 6. The number of cases of whooping cough has increased significantly since mid-April this year, and has been rising sharply since June, showing signs of a nationwide epidemic.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 16 July 2024)

Israel: West Nile Virus Infection [Update]

18 July 2024

In a follow-up on the West Nile virus (WNV) outbreak in Israel, the Ministry of Health reports 440 confirmed cases and 32 deaths as of July 15, 2024.

This is the most cases reported in the country in any year from 2000 to 2023.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 15 July 2024)