Travel Health Service Year 2015

Current Travel Health News

Travel Health News

Current Travel Health News

Take precautions against dengue fever when travelling abroad

As the dengue activity in southern Taiwan remains high, public are reminded to take anti-mosquito measures when travelling to the area and other Southeast Asian countries, in order to prevent dengue fever.

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.

Cumulative reported number of dengue cases since 01/01/2015 *

 

Cumulative reported no.
of cases since 01/01/2015

Source of information and date of report

Australia

1,486

World Health Organization, 17 November 2015

Brazil

1,513,559

World Health Organization, 27 November 2015

Cambodia

12,218

World Health Organization, 17 November 2015

Guangdong

Taiwan

1,312

40,173^

Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China, 9 October 2015
CDC, ROC (Taiwan), 4 December 2015

India

90,040

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India, 30 November 2015

Japan

267

National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan, 1 December 2015

Lao PDR

1,641

World Health Organization, 17 November 2015

Malaysia

102,801

World Health Organization, 17 November 2015

Mexico

189,531

World Health Organization, 27 November 2015

Philippines

124,728

World Health Organization, 17 November 2015

Singapore

9,682

Singapore National Environment Agency, 3 December 2015

Sri Lanka

25,379

Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, 1 December 2015

Thailand

123,168

Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, 2 December 2015

Vietnam

39,410

World Health Organization, 17 November 2015

Remark:
* Dengue reporting systems vary by country.
^ Cumulative local cases since this summer

Travellers should stay vigilant against dengue fever and adopt the following personal preventive measures against mosquito bite:

* Always wear loose, light-coloured long-sleeved tops and trousers;
* Stay in air-conditioned residence or places with mosquito screens;
* If mosquito screen or air-conditioning is absent, aerosol insecticide and bed nets are advised;
* Use insect repellents containing DEET on exposed skin and clothing;
* Use insect repellents containing DEET apart from applying sunscreen while staying in beaches;
* Re-apply insect repellents according to instructions during the trip;
* Carry a portable bed nets and apply permethrin on it as well as to clothes if travelling to rural areas where dengue fever is prevalent.

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.

 

Venezuela: Zika Virus Infection

On 27 November 2015, the National IHR Focal Point of Venezuela received notification of 7 suspected cases of Zika virus infection.

(Source: World Health Organization 3 December 2015)

 

Paraguay: Zika virus Infection

On 27 November 2015, the National IHR Focal Point of Paraguay notified WHO of 6 laboratory-confirmed autochthonous cases of Zika virus infection.

(Source: World Health Organization 3 December 2015)

 

Mexico: Zika Virus Infection

On 26 November 2015, national health authorities in Mexico notified WHO of 3 cases of Zika virus infection, including two autochthonous cases (residents of Nuevo León and Chiapas) and one imported case (with history of travel to Colombia).

(Source: World Health Organization 3 December 2015)

[Editor’s Note: Zika virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, causing symptoms such as fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, headache and joint pain.]