Current Travel Health News

The Ministry of Health of Egypt has notified WHO of one case of human infection with Avian Influenza A (H5N1) virus. The case is a 1 year-old-boy from Mahala district, Gharbia governorate, who developed symptoms on 17 September. He completed the course of treatment and recovered.

(Source: WHO 2 November 2011)

In Delhi, India, there was a sudden rise in Chikungunya Fever cases, reaching 54. Last year, around this time, the number of cases was only 33.

(Source: ProMED-mail 5 November 2011)

A Pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak occurred in Nelson and Marlborough, New Zealand. So far in October 2011, it had 27 cases with a further 16 still under investigation.

(Source: Promed Mail 30 October 2011)

As of 2 November, 14 cases of Legionnaires' Disease and a further case of non-pneumonic legionellosis in English and Welsh tourists who holidayed in Corfu, Greece had been identified. No new cases have been identified in travellers returning from Corfu since 12 October 2011. Extensive investigations into the sources continue to be undertaken by the health authorities.

(Source: NaTHNaC 3 November 2011)

Between 21 May and 26 October 2011, 61 cases of Plasmodium vivax malaria have been reported in Greece. Of these, 33 cases (including one death) were in local residents with no history of travel to a malaria endemic country.

(Source: NaTHNaC 2 November 2011)

As widespread violent clashes occurred in many cities across Syria, including Daraa, Latakia, Damascus, Baniyas, Aleppo, Homs and Hama, resulting in serious casualties, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has raised the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for Syria to Black. Residents are urged to avoid all travel to the country. Those already there should attend to their personal safety and avoid protests and large gatherings of people.

For more information, please visit the OTA webpage.

(Source: Security Bureau, Government of Hong Kong SAR 26 April 2011)

Following the hostage taking incident in the Philippines which had caused casualties, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has raised the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for the Philippines to Black. Hong Kong residents are urged to avoid all travel to the Philippines. Those already there should attend to their personal safety and stay alert.

For more information, please visit the OTA webpage.

(Source: Security Bureau, Government of Hong Kong SAR 20 September 2010)

For more information, please visit the World Health Organization webpage.