Current Travel Health News
Current Travel Health News
Take precautions against dengue fever when travelling abroad
As the dengue activity in southern Taiwan remains high, public are reminded to take anti-mosquito measures when travelling to the area and other Southeast Asian countries, in order to prevent dengue fever.
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 01/01/2015 *
|
Cumulative reported no. |
Source of information and date of report |
Australia |
1,486 |
World Health Organization, 17 November 2015 |
Brazil |
1,513,559 |
World Health Organization, 27 November 2015 |
Cambodia |
12,218 |
World Health Organization, 17 November 2015 |
Guangdong |
1,312 |
Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China, 9 October 2015 |
India |
90,040 |
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India, 30 November 2015 |
Japan |
267 |
National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan, 1 December 2015 |
Lao PDR |
1,641 |
World Health Organization, 17 November 2015 |
Malaysia |
102,801 |
World Health Organization, 17 November 2015 |
Mexico |
189,531 |
World Health Organization, 27 November 2015 |
Philippines |
124,728 |
World Health Organization, 17 November 2015 |
Singapore |
9,682 |
Singapore National Environment Agency, 3 December 2015 |
Sri Lanka |
25,379 |
Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, 1 December 2015 |
Thailand |
123,168 |
Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, 2 December 2015 |
Vietnam |
39,410 |
World Health Organization, 17 November 2015 |
Remark:
* Dengue reporting systems vary by country.
^ Cumulative local cases since this summer
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.
Venezuela: Zika Virus Infection
Paraguay: Zika virus Infection
[Editor’s Note: Zika virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, causing symptoms such as fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, headache and joint pain.]