Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (4 January 2004)
Philippine health officials on Tuesday 23 December 2003 raised an alert over increasing cases of Dengue, which has killed at least 170 people in the country. There are a total of 317 recorded cases since January this year.
(Source: ProMED-mail 26 December 2003)
Indonesia (Java): Dengue fever
An outbreak of Dengue Fever has killed 4 people in the West Java district, reported on 24 December 2003 by health officials.
From January up to September this year (2003), 14 people have died of dengue fever and a total of 344 people affected by the disease this year.
(Source: ProMED-mail 26 December 2003)
Bangladesh (Dhaka): Dengue [update-2]
5 more patients with Dengue symptoms were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka city yesterday, raising the total number of such patients to 452 this season. There are 9 deaths recorded, of which 8 occurred since November 2003.
(Source: ProMED-mail 26 December 2003)
Hong Kong SAR, ex-Philippines : Dengue Fever, imported [update]
One imported case of Dengue Fever was confirmed by the Department of Health, making a total of 48 cases in year 2003.
The patient travelled to the Philippines in late-November for 12 days. He complained of fever, chills and cough 4 days after returning to Hong Kong. He was admitted to hospital and now recovered.
His travel collateral and home contacts were contacted by the Department of Health. All of them were asymptomatic .
(Source: Department of Health, HKSAR 30 December 2003)
[Editor Note: Travellers to South Asia and South East Asia should adopt anti-mosquito measures. Should fever develop within 2 weeks on return, they should suspect Dengue and seek medical attention immediately, and inform travel history.]
Hong Kong SAR ex-Thailand: Food poisoning outbreaks
The Department of Health received during January 1 and 2 three reports of Food Poisoning outbreaks among three tour groups to Thailand. Out of the 85 tour participants, 33 have been affected. The victims developed diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain. Two cases required hospitalization in Thailand and were subsequently discharged. All victims were in stable condition now.
The suspected incriminated meal was the lunch buffet held on the beach of Khai Island near Phuket.
(Source: Department of Health, HKSAR 03 January 2004)
[Editor Note: Travellers should observe at all times good personal, food and environmental hygiene. Tour operators should choose hygienic and reputable restaurants for serving meals to their tour members.]