Current 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.
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
5 August 2024
The scorching heat wave in Japan shows no signs of abating with the mercury in Kyushu nearing 40 degrees Celsius on Sunday. Wide areas of western and eastern Japan are expected to experience temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius during the day, triggering heatstroke alerts in 37 prefectures.
Authorities said 123 mostly elderly people living in metropolitan Tokyo died of heatstroke in July and that 98 percent of the cases occurred indoors.
5 August 2024
South Korea is experiencing record heat as temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius on Sunday, the first time since 2018, according to meteorological services.
The severe heat has resulted in a sharp increase in heat-related illnesses, with 154 new cases recorded on Saturday alone, said the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Across the nation, 386 cases were reported from Monday through Friday, said the agency.
2 August 2024
2 August 2024
Israel: West Nile Virus Infection [Update]
2 August 2024
USA: Measles and Pertussis [Update]
30 July 2024
Since January the USA Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has recorded 15 confirmed cases of measles. As of July 25, 2024, a total of 188 measles cases were reported by 25 states, New York City and the District of Columbia.
Minnesota is experiencing a significant rise in pertussis cases with patients ranging in age from 4 months to 80 years and a median age of 15 years. This increase is particularly notable among adolescents. Through July 20, 8,861 pertussis cases have been reported in the United States.
30 July 2024
30 July 2024
30 July 2024
South Korea: Japanese Encephalitis
30 July 2024
Mainland China: Avian Influenza [Update]
30 July 2024
30 July 2024