Current Travel Health News
Travel Health News(9 June 2015 - 15 June 2015)
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 01/01/2015 *
|
Cumulative reported no.
of cases since 01/01/2015 |
Source of information and date of report |
Australia |
831 |
World Health Organization, 2 June 2015 |
Brazil |
745,957 |
World Health Organization, 5 June 2015 |
Cambodia |
704 |
World Health Organization, 2 June 2015 |
Guangdong
Taiwan |
30
235 |
Department of Health of Guangdong Province, 26 May 2015
CDC, ROC (Taiwan), 12 June 2015 |
India |
3,061 |
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India, 29 April 2015 |
Japan |
94 |
National National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan, 9 June 2015 |
Lao PDR |
261 |
World Health Organization, 2 June 2015 |
Malaysia |
45,070 |
World Health Organization, 2 June 2015 |
Mexico |
27,959 |
World Health Organization, 5 June 2015 |
Philippines |
24,075 |
World Health Organization, 2 June 2015 |
Singapore |
3,582 |
Singapore National Environment Agency, 11 June 2015 |
Sri Lanka |
15,123 |
Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, 11 June 2015 |
Thailand |
17,242 |
Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, 10 June 2015 |
Vietnam |
11,389 |
World Health Organization, 2 June 2015 |
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.
South Korea: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome [Update]
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is closely monitoring five additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported by Korea. According to the preliminary information of the health authority of Korea, they are:
- A patient who had contact with a confirmed case in the emergency room of Samsung Medical Center on May 27;
- A patient who had contact with another confirmed case in the out-patient clinic of a hospital on June 8;
- A healthcare worker who had contact with another confirmed case in Konyang University Hospital on June 3;
- A patient who had contact with another confirmed case in Dae-Cheong Hospital from May 22 to 28; and
- A patient who had contact with another confirmed case in Konkuk University Medical Centre on June 6.
To date, 149 MERS cases have been confirmed by Korea. In addition, another case was exported from Korea to Mainland China.
(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 15 June 2015)
Ghana: Avian Influenza, poultry
Outbreaks of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 among poultries were reported in Ghana, particularly in the Greater Accra Region.
(Source: ProMED-mail 14 June 2015)
Chile: Measles
On 10 June 2015, the National IHR Focal Point of Chile notified WHO of 5 cases of measles infection.
(Source: World Health Organization 12 June 2015)
Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]
Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 3,677 cases of
Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 2,440 deaths.
(Source: World Health Organization 12 June 2015)
Sierra Leone: Ebola virus disease [Update]
Sierra Leone has reported a cumulative total of 12,932 cases of
Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 3,917 deaths.
(Source: World Health Organization 12 June 2015)
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome [Update]
Between 5 and 8 June 2015, the National IHR Focal Point for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia notified WHO of 8 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection.
(Source: World Health Organization 11 June 2015)
Republic of Korea: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome [Update]
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 12) reported the outstanding test results of a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
The case pending test results yesterday (June 11) tested negative for MERS Coronavirus upon preliminary testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch.
(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 12 June 2015)
Republic of Korea : Middle East Respiratory Syndrome [Update]
On 7 June 2015, the National IHR Focal Point of the Republic of Korea notified WHO of 14 additional confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), including 1 death.
(Source: World Health Organization 9 June 2015)
United Arab Emirates: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome [Update]
On 3 June 2015, the National IHR Focal Point for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) notified WHO of 1 additional fatal case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection.
(Source: World Health Organization 9 June 2015)
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome [Update]
Between 1 and 4 June 2015, the National IHR Focal Point of Oman notified WHO of 5 additional case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, including 1 death.
(Source: World Health Organization 6 June 2015)
Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]
Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 3,674 cases of
Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 2,440 deaths.
(Source: World Health Organization 11 June 2015)
Sierra Leone: Ebola virus disease [Update]
Sierra Leone has reported a cumulative total of 12,911 cases of
Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 3,917 deaths.
(Source: World Health Organization 11 June 2015)
South Korea: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome [Update]
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is closely monitoring 13 additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported by Korea. According to the health authority of Korea, the 13 cases are:
- Ten patients/visitors of the emergency department of Samsung Medical Center;
- Two visitors who had stayed in a ward in Konyang University Hospital and a ward in Dae-Chung Hospital in which a confirmed patient was admitted; and
- One visitor who had stayed in the same ward in Hallym University Medical Center as another confirmed patient.
To date, 107 MERS cases have been reported by Korea. In addition, another case was exported from Korea to Mainland China.
(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 10 June 2015)
United Arab Emirates: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome [Update]
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is closely monitoring one additional case reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to the WHO, the case in the UAE is a woman aged 77 with underlying illnesses. She developed symptoms on May 21 and was admitted to hospital on May 28. She is currently in critical condition. She has no history of contact with known risk factors in the 14 days prior to onset of symptoms.
(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 10 June 2015)
South Korea: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
In view of the health risks arising from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in Korea, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government issued a Red Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) on the country on 9 June 2015.
(Source: Information Services Department HKSARG 9 June 2015)
Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]
Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 3,670 cases of
Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 2,437 deaths.
(Source: World Health Organization 9 June 2015)
Sierra Leone: Ebola virus disease [Update]
Sierra Leone has reported a cumulative total of 12,901 cases of
Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 3,915 deaths.
(Source: World Health Organization 9 June 2015)
Brazil: Zika Virus Infection
A case of Zika virus infection was recorded in the state of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
(Source: ProMED-mail 8 June 2015)
South Korea: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome [Update]
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is closely monitoring eight additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported by Korea. According to the health authority of Korea, they are:
- Three patients of the emergency department of Samsung Medical Center;
- One patient of Asan Medical Center and a visitor of Yeouido St Mary's Hospital. They had contact with a confirmed patient in the hospitals on May 26 and May 28 respectively;
- Two in-patients of Hallym University Medical Center. They had been admitted to the same ward with another confirmed patient from May 27 to 29; and
- One in-patient of Konyang University Hospital who had contact with a confirmed patient in the hospital.
To date, 94 MERS cases have been reported by Korea. In addition, another case was exported from Korea to Mainland China.
(Source: The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 9 June 2015)
South Korea: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
The Department of Health (DH) of Hong Kong has issued a travel health advice. DH appeals to members of the public to avoid unnecessary travel to the Republic of Korea. If there is a need to be there, please avoid visiting health-care institutions and take necessary infection control measures, such as wearing a mask and pay attention to hand hygiene.
For more information on the remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, the Director of Health, and the Controller of the CHP of DH on 8 June 2015, please visit http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201506/08/P201506080793.htm
(Source: Information Services Department HKSARG 8 June 2015)
Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]
Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 3,669 cases of
Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 2,435 deaths.
(Source: World Health Organization 8 June 2015)
Sierra Leone: Ebola virus disease [Update]
Sierra Leone has reported a cumulative total of 12,884 cases of
Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 3,913 deaths.
(Source: World Health Organization 8 June 2015)