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

1,563

World Health Organization, 15 December 2015

Brazil

1,534,932

World Health Organization, 8 December 2015

Cambodia

14,005

World Health Organization, 15 December 2015

Guangdong


Taiwan

1,312


43,148^

Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China, 9 October 2015
CDC, ROC (Taiwan), 31 December 2015

India

90,040

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

Japan

278

National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan, 22 December 2015

Lao PDR

1,730

World Health Organization, 15 December 2015

Malaysia

111,285

World Health Organization, 15 December 2015

Mexico

201,578

World Health Organization, 8 December 2015

Philippines

169,435

World Health Organization, 15 December 2015

Singapore

11,090

Singapore National Environment Agency, 30 December 2015

Sri Lanka

29,063

Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, 30 December 2015

Thailand

141,375

Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, 30 December 2015

Vietnam

58,633

World Health Organization, 15 December 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.

 

Liberia: Ebola virus disease [Update]

The total number of Ebola virus disease (EVD) reported in Liberia after 9 May 2015 is 9, including 3 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 30 December 2015)

 

Brazil: Microcephaly [Update]

Nearly 200 new suspected cases of microcephaly potentially related to the spread of Zika virus were reported in Brazil over the past week, raising the total of suspected cases to 2,975.

(Source: Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy 30 December 2015)

 

Liberia: Ebola virus disease [Update]

The total number of Ebola virus disease (EVD) reported in Liberia after 9 May 2015 is 9, including 3 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 28 December 2015)

 

Ghana: Avian Influenza, poultry

Outbreaks of avian influenza (H5N1) have been reported in Greater Accra region of Ghana, affecting more than 27,000 poultry.

(Source: World Organisation for Animal Health 28 December 2015)

 

Nigeria: Lassa Fever

Nigeria reported 2 fatal cases of Lassa fever.

(Source: ProMED-mail 27 December 2015)

 

Mainland: Avian Influenza, human

The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health is closely monitoring a human fatal case of avian influenza A (H7N9) affecting a man aged 61 in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.

According to the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province, the man with underlying illnesses was admitted to a local hospital on December 22 and passed away the next day. The deceased had visited a local market and had contact with live poultry.

(Source: Centre for Health Protection of Department of Health 26 December 2015)