Travel Health Service Year 2015

Current Travel Health News

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.
of cases since 01/01/2015

Source of information and date of report

Australia

1,486

World Health Organization, 17 November 2015

Brazil

1,485,397

World Health Organization, 6 November 2015

Cambodia

12,218

World Health Organization, 17 November 2015

Guangdong

Taiwan

1,312

35,744^

Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China, 9 October 2015
CDC, ROC (Taiwan), 20 November 2015

India

64,058

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India, 25 October 2015

Japan

258

National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan, 17 November 2015

Lao PDR

1,641

World Health Organization, 17 November 2015

Malaysia

102,801

World Health Organization, 17 November 2015

Mexico

166,255

World Health Organization, 6 November 2015

Philippines

124,728

World Health Organization, 17 November 2015

Singapore

9,144

Singapore National Environment Agency, 19 November 2015

Sri Lanka

24,238

Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, 18 November 2015

Thailand

111,825

Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, 18 November 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.

 

Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]

Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 3,804 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 2,536 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 20 November 2015)

 

Sierra Leone: Ebola virus disease [Update]

Sierra Leone has reported a cumulative total of 14,122 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 3,955 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 20 November 2015)

 

Liberia: Ebola virus disease [Update]

On 20 November 2015, 3 new cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) were diagnosed in Liberia.

(Source: ProMED-mail 22 November 2015)

 

Guinea: Ebola virus disease [Update]

Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 3,805 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 2,536 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 16 November 2015)

 

Sierra Leone: Ebola virus disease [Update]

Sierra Leone has reported a cumulative total of 14,122 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 3,955 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 16 November 2015)

 

Indonesia: Zika Virus Infection

A case of Zika virus infection was reported in Jakarta, Indonesia.

(Source: ProMED-mail 16 November 2015)