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 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 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

Philippines: Chikungunya Fever [Update]

27 May 2024

The Philippines Department of Health reports a significant increase in Chikungunya infections nationwide. According to the latest surveillance data, 383 chikungunya cases were recorded from the beginning of the year through March 16, compared to 71 last year. This is an increase of 439 percent.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 27 May 2024)

Sweden: Mpox (monkeypox) [Update]

27 May 2024

In a follow-up on Monkeypox outbreak in Sweden since April 2024, 23 cases of mpox have been reported, the majority in the Stockholm region.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 27 May 2024)

Iraq: Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

27 May 2024

Minister of Health with the Kurdistan Regional Government, said earlier this week that 50 cases of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever have been reported in Iraq, with eight resulting in death.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 25 May 2024)

Brazil: Chikungunya Fever [Update]

27 May 2024

The Brazil Ministry of Health has reported 196,793 Chikungunya cases in the country this year through May 24- 114,282 confirmed and 82,511 probable.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 25 May 2024)

USA: Pertussis [Update]

24 May 2024

In a follow-up on the Pertussis situation in Minnesota, USA, since the beginning of the year and through May 23, the Minnesota Department of Health reports 73 cases of pertussis.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 24 May 2024)

South Korea: Vibrio Vulnificus Infecetion

24 May 2024

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency requested special attention to prevent Vibriosis sepsis as the first case of vibriosis sepsis occurred on May 20th this year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 23 May 2024)

USA: Avian Influenza [Update]

24 May 2024

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report on the first case of Influenza A (H5N1) virus identified in a Michigan farmworker in USA.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 23 May 2024)

Australia: Avian Influenza

24 May 2024

An imported Avian flu case involving an Australian child who contracted the virus in India involves the South Asian 2.3.2.1a clade that is known to circulate in birds in India and Bangladesh.

(Source: CIDRAP 24 May 2024)

Brazil: Dengue Fever [Update]

22 May 2024

Brazil already has 5,100,766 probable cases of Dengue in 2024. The number represents more than triple the number of probable cases of the disease identified throughout last year, when 1,649,144 cases were recorded.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 22 May 2024)

Czech Republic: Pertussis [Update]

22 May 2024

Last week, Czech Republic health authorities reported 1,383 new Pertussis cases, bringing the total year to date to 14,832 cases.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 21 May 2024)

Bolivia: Yellow Fever

22 May 2024

A 14-year-old Bolivian adolescent died from Yellow fever in the La Paz municipality of Caranavi, and it is presumed that this minor was not immunized against the disease, according to the management of the Caranavi municipal hospital.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 21 May 2024)

Vietnam: Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

22 May 2024

From May 6, 2024 to May 12, 2024, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, recorded 442 cases of Hand, foot and mouth disease, an increase of 1/4 of the number of cases compared to the average of the previous 4 weeks.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 19 May 2024)