Travel Health Service Year 2016

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	1,595	World Health Organization, 29 December 2015
Brazil	1,534,932	World Health Organization, 8 December 2015
Cambodia	15,015	World Health Organization, 29 December 2015
Guangdong Taiwan	1,312 43,414^{^}	Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China, 9 October 2015 CDC, ROC (Taiwan), 6 January 2016
India	97,740	Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India, 31 December 2015
Japan	286	National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan, 5 January 2016
Lao PDR	1,912	World Health Organization, 29 December 2015
Malaysia	111,285	World Health Organization, 29 December 2015
Mexico	201,578	World Health Organization, 8 December 2015
Philippines	169,435	World Health Organization, 29 December 2015
Sri Lanka	29,527	Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, 5 January 2016
Thailand	141,375	Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, 30 December 2015
Vietnam	79,912	World Health Organization, 15 December 2015

Cumulative reported number of dengue cases since 03/01/2016 *

	Cumulative reported no. of cases since 03/01/2016	Source of information and date of report
Singapore	345	Singapore National Environment Agency, 7 January 2016

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.

Oman: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome [Update]

On 3 January 2016, the National IHR Focal Point of Oman notified WHO of 1 additional case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection.

(Source: World Health Organization 7 January 2016)

Mainland: Avian Influenza, human

The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health was notified of an additional human case of avian influenza A (H5N6) by the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel. It involves a man aged 25 in Longgang, Shenzhen, currently hospitalised for treatment in serious condition.

(Source: Centre for Health Protection of Department of Health 7 January 2016)

Liberia: Ebola virus disease [Update]

The total number of Ebola virus disease (EVD) reported in Liberia after 9 May 2015 is 9, including 3 deaths.

(Source: World Health Organization 6 January 2016)

Egypt: Avian Influenza, human

Egypt reported a fatal human case of H5N1 avian influenza.

(Source: ProMED-mail 6 January 2016)

Nigeria: Lassa Fever

Nigeria reported 2 fatal cases of Lassa fever, involving a mother and her baby.

(Source: ProMED-mail 6 January 2016)

United States of America: Zika virus infection

On 31 December 2015, the United States reported a laboratory-confirmed case of Zika virus disease in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

(Source: World Health Organization 5 January 2016)

Mainland: Avian Influenza, human

Between 30 December 2015 and 2 January 2016, the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China notified the World Health Organization of two additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N6) virus in Guangdong province.

(Source: World Health Organization 4 January 2016)