Travel Health Service Year 2014

Current Travel Health News

Travel Health News

Travel Health News Digest (29 July 2014 - 4 August 2014)

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.

Cumulative reported number of dengue cases since 01/01/2014 *

 

Cumulative reported no.
of cases since 01/01/2014

Source of information and date of report

Australia

1.057

World Health Organization, 15 July 2014

Brazil

659,051

World Health Organization, 28 July 2014

Cambodia

1,007

World Health Organization, 15 July 2014

Guangdong

Taiwan

18

530

Department of Health of Guangdong Province, 15 July 2014
CDC, ROC (Taiwan), 4 August 2014

India

3,763

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India, 30 June 2014

Lao PDR

820

World Health Organization, 15 July 2014

Malaysia

44,518

World Health Organization, 15 July 2014

Mexico

39,269

World Health Organization, 28 July 2014

New Caledonia

111

World Health Organization, 15 July 2014

Philippines

31,088

World Health Organization, 15 June 2014

Singapore

12,116

Singapore National Environment Agency,1 August 2014

Sri Lanka

24,391

Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, 1 August 2014

Thailand

15,595

Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, 30 July 2014

Vietnam

6,430

World Health Organization, 15 July 2014

Remark:
* Dengue reporting systems vary by country.

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.

 

India: Japanese Encephalitis [Update] 

In 2014, so far 93 people died of Japanese Encephalitis in Assam, India.

(Source: ProMED-mail 31 July 2014)

 

Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]

As of 30 July 2014, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 472 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 346 deaths. Cases have been reported from Conakry, Guekedou, Macenta, Kissidougou, Dabola, Djingaraye, Kouroussa, Boffa and Télimélé.

(Source: World Health Organization 31July 2014)

 

 Sierra Leone: Ebola virus disease[Update]

As of 30 July 2014, Sierra Leone has reported a cumulative total of 574 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 252 deaths. Cases have been reported from Kailahun, Kambia, Port Loko, Kenema and Western.

(Source: World Health Organization 31 July 2014)

 

 Liberia: Ebola virus disease[Update]

As of 30 July 2014, the total number of Ebola virus disease (EVD) reported in Liberia is 391 including 227 deaths. Cases have been reported from Lofa, Montserrado, Margibi and Nimba.

(Source: World Health Organization 31 July 2014)

 

Nigeria: Ebola virus disease

As of 30 July 2014, the total number of Ebola virus disease (EVD) reported in Nigeria is 3 including 1 death.

(Source: World Health Organization 31 July 2014)

 

Mainland: Dengue fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 30) received notification from the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province (GDHFPC) of an outbreak of dengue fever  (DF) in Nansha district, Guangzhou.

According to the information from GDHFPC, the location of the DF outbreak is Dagang, Nansha District, Guangzhou. Forty-six cases of DF have been recorded in the area since July 11. All of the patients were mild cases and no serious or fatal cases have been reported so far. Anti-mosquito measures have also been undertaken in the area.

(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 30 July 2014)

 

USA: Cyclosporiasis

As of 29 July 2014, 202 cases of Cyclospora infection have been reported from the following states: California, Michigan, Minnesota, New York City, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin, USA.

(Source: ProMED-mail 30 July 2014)

 

South Korea: Avian Influenza, poultry

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N8 Avian Influenza were reported in duck farm in in South Jeolla Province of South Korea.

(Source: ProMED-mail 30 July 2014)

 

Cameroon: Cholera

A Cholera epidemic has hit northern Cameroon, killing more than 200 people in less than a month.

(Source: ProMED-mail 30 July 2014)

 

Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]

As of 27 July 2014, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 460 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 339 deaths. Cases have been reported from Conakry, Guekedou, Macenta, Kissidougou, Dabola, Djingaraye, Kouroussa, Boffa and Télimélé.

(Source: World Health Organization 29 July 2014)

 

Sierra Leone: Ebola virus disease[Update]

As of 27 July 2014, Sierra Leone has reported a cumulative total of 533 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 233 deaths. Cases have been reported from Kailahun, Kambia, Port Loko, Kenema and Western.

(Source: World Health Organization 29 July 2014)

 

Liberia: Ebola virus disease[Update]

As of 27 July 2014, the total number of Ebola virus disease (EVD) reported in Liberiais 329 including 156 deaths. Cases have been reported from Lofa, Montserrado, Margibi and Nimba.

(Source: World Health Organization 29 July 2014)

 

Costa Rica: Rabies

The Ministry of Health of Costa Rica reported that a child had died from rabies from a squirrel bite. Costa Rica has not registered a case of human rabies since 2001.

(Source: ProMED-mail 28 July 2014)