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.
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
South Africa: Cholera [Update]
9 June 2023
8 June 2023
Brazil: Dengue fever, Chikungunya and Zika virus infection [Update]
8 June 2023
Through June 5, health authorities of Minas Gerais in Brazil reported 371,865 probable Dengue cases, including 196,658 confirmed cases of the disease. There are 110 confirmed deaths from dengue in Minas Gerais and another 125 deaths under investigation.
Concerning Chikungunya, health officials report 71,319 probable cases of the disease were registered, of which 38,648 were confirmed. So far, 23 deaths from Chikungunya have been confirmed in Minas Gerais and 15 are under investigation.
As for the Zika virus, 243 probable cases have been registered so far. There are 24 confirmed for the disease and there are no deaths from Zika in Minas Gerais, to date.
Taiwan: Mpox (monkeypox) [Update]
8 June 2023
8 June 2023
6 June 2023
USA: Mpox (monkeypox) [Update]
6 June 2023
Sri Lanka: Dengue Fever [Update]
6 June 2023
Bangladesh: Dengue Fever [Update]
6 June 2023
Mainland China: Avian Influenza
6 June 2023
6 June 2023
Iraq: Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever
6 June 2023