Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News Digest (2 January 2005)
Africa: HK visitor contracted malaria
One imported case of malaria was reported by the Department of Health.
The patient traveled to Victoria of South Africa in early December 2004, and then went to Kampala, capital of Uganda for one week. He developed fever, chills and rigor, tea-colored urine and jaundice 5 days after returning back to South Africa. He was diagnosed with P. falciparum malaria infection in a local hospital. He came back to Hong Kong in late December and admitted to hospital with stable condition.
(Source: Department of Health, HKSAR 31/12/04)
[Editor Note: Travellers visiting malaria areas should adopt anti-mosquito measures for health protections. They should consider taking anti-malarial medical prophylaxis and seek advice from travel health practitioners.]
Russia: Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS)
The health department of Nizhniy Novgorod Region reported the largest number of HFRS cases in 20 years. The number of cases for the first eight months of 2004 increased 13-fold comparing to previous years. The rising number of cases was attributed to increased migration of rodents into inhabited buildings.
(Source: ProMED-mail 28/12/04)
[Editor Note: HFRS is endemic throughout Northern and Central Europe, Central Asia, and the Far Eastern regions of Russia. It is one of the infections caused by hantaviruses which are carried by rodents. Travellers should take precautions to avoid contact with rodent excreta in areas endemic for hantaviruses.]
Taiwan: Dengue Fever (Update-17)
The health officials of Taipei county reported one new imported case of dengue fever, making a total of 13 cases so far this year. The patient had visited Thailand from October to December.
In addition, health officials of Kaohsiung county reported one new local case of dengue fever, making a cumulative total of 10 cases, in which 5 of them occurred in December 2004.
(Source: Central News Agency 28/12/04)
Singapore: Dengue fever [update-6]
In 2004, the number of dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever cases had accumulated to 9,050 & 166 respectively. The number of dengue fever cases had doubled and the number of dengue haemorrhagic fever cases had increased 55-fold as compared with previous year. It was the highest number of dengue fever cases recorded in Singapore over the last 10 years.
(Source: Ministry of Health,, Singapore 29/12/04)
Guangdong Health Authority said there were potential risks of SARS, Avian influenza and Influenza outbreak during the coming winter and spring. But the scale would not be large.
Local government has already started to adopt health measures for disease prevention.
(Source: Xinhuanet 31/12/04)
Southeast Asia: Avian Influenza [update-18]
Since September 2004, Vietnam reported a new human case of avian influenza H5N1 infection in the southern Tay Ninh province. The patient is a 16-year-old girl. She had slaughtered a chicken before fallen ill. She is in critical condition.
World Health Organization anticipates more sporadic human infections in the near future.
(Source: World Health Organization 30/12/04)
The Indonesian earthquakes and the Asian tsunami on 26 December 2004 have led to the death toll of nearly 150,000 reported in countries included Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Maldives and even some countries in east Africa. Because of the shortage of clean water and poor environmental hygiene in these regions, there is an increasing risk of disease outbreaks. The death toll may continue to increase.
Travellers going to the affected areas should be prepared for the after shocks and outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Travellers are advised to observe the following advices before their visits:
I. Food and water
Consume only boiled / treated water and cooked food because the sources of water and food in the affected areas may be contaminated. This would reduce the risk of getting hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera and other food-borne diseases.
II. Treatment of water
Boiling
Boiling is the most reliable method to make water safe for drinking. Boil the water for 1 minute.
Chemical disinfection
When boiling is not feasible, chemical disinfection with iodine is an alternative method. There are two methods available:
i) Add 5 drops of tincture of iodine (2%) into one litre of clear water or 10 drops into cold or turbid water. Wait for at least 30 minutes before drinking; or
ii) Add tetraglycine hydroperiodide tablets into water and wait before drinking. Tablets may be obtained from some sporting stores or pharmacies. Follow the instructions of the manufacturers of these tablets.
Filters
Filters available in the commercial market may provide various degrees of protection against micro-organisms. Proper maintenance and changing of cartridges should be observed. Follow the instructions of the manufacturers of these filters.
III. Accommodation
Be prepared for the after shocks, tidal waves, flooding, landslides, falling objects, fire, electrical shocks, gas leakage. Stay in accommodation that is safe and secure. Beware of hanging objects. Stay away from buildings that have been damaged.
IV. Clothing
Many of the affected areas have the risk of outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Travelers should wear long-sleeved clothing to prevent mosquito bites and cold. They should use insect repellents containing DEET while outdoor and mosquito nets at night as well.
V. Chemoprophylaxis / vaccination
Travellers should be aware of the risk of contracting food-borne, vector-borne and other types of infectious diseases in the affected areas. Common travel-related infectious diseases with prophylactic medications / vaccines available may include hepatitis A infection, typhoid fever and malaria. Travellers may consider these medications and vaccinations before visit. They should consult travel health practitioners / medical practitioners for advice before visiting the affected areas.
VI. Emergency contacts
Bring along a list of emergency contact numbers (e.g., local emergency numbers, airlines, hotels, tour guides, relatives and friends).
VII. Own safety and health
Always observe own safety and health as a high priority. Seek local medical advice immediately if any symptoms and signs e.g., fever, rash, diarrhoea developed. If symptoms develop within one month after coming back to Hong Kong, travellers should consult medical practitioners and inform them your travel history.
VIII. Enquires
For enquiries or information on vaccines / chemoprophylaxis, travellers may contact their family doctors or Port Health Travel Health Centre of the Department of Health (Tel: 2961 8840). Travellers outside Hong Kong may also dial the IDD 24-hour hotline at 8103 1717 for health information.
(Source: Department of Health, HKSAR 3/1/05)