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

Ukraine: Measles

19 December 2024

The Public Health Center of Ukraine reports 29 cases of measles were recorded in November-December of this year in the Chernivtsi region.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 19 December 2024)

USA: Dengue Fever [Update]

19 December 2024

The Florida Department of Health reported five additional locally acquired dengue fever cases during the past week - Manatee County (3), Miami-Dade County (1) and Pasco County (1).

(Source: Outbreak News Today 18 December 2024)

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Malaria [Update]

19 December 2024

Further lab results on samples from patients sickened in an unexplained illness outbreak in a remote part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo suggest a severe form of malaria, Reuters reported today, citing a statement from the health ministry.

(Source: CIDRAP 18 December 2024)

Malaysia: Dengue Fever [Update]

17 December 2024

The Malaysia Ministry of Health recorded 1,342 dengue fever cases and two deaths due to dengue complications during the week ending December 7, bringing the total for the year to 118,291, with 111 deaths.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 16 December 2024)

USA: Avian Influenza [Update]

17 December 2024

Louisiana state health officials report detecting the first presumptive positive human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1, in the state.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 14 December 2024)

Uganda: Anthrax [Update]

17 December 2024

In Uganda's Western Region, in Kazo District, authorities have established that the two individuals died of anthrax. Investigations are underway to trace the source of the infected meat and prevent further spread.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 14 December 2024)

Pakistan: Poliomyelitis [Update]

17 December 2024

Pakistan health authorities confirmed the detection of four wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases in Pakistan, bringing the number of total cases in the country this year to 63.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 13 December 2024)