Current Travel Health News
Current Travel Health News
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 01/01/2016 *
|
Cumulative reported no. |
Source of information and date of report |
Brazil |
1,496,282 |
World Health Organization, 6 February 2017 |
India |
111,880 |
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India, 31 December 2016 |
Philippines |
176,411 |
World Health Organization, 14 February 2017 |
Vietnam |
122,020 |
World Health Organization, 14 February 2017 |
Cumulative reported number of dengue cases since 01/01/2017 *
|
Cumulative reported no. |
Source of information and date of report |
Australia |
143 |
World Health Organization, 14 February 2017 |
Cambodia |
81 |
World Health Organization, 14 February 2017 |
Guangdong |
6 |
Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province, 14 February 2017 |
Japan |
23# |
National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan, 14 February 2017 |
Lao PDR |
283 |
World Health Organization, 14 February 2017 |
Malaysia |
9,000 |
World Health Organization, 14 February 2017 |
Mexico |
2,471 |
World Health Organization, 10 February 2017 |
Singapore |
479 |
Singapore National Environment Agency, 16 February 2017 |
Sri Lanka |
12,251 |
Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, 14 February 2017 |
Taiwan |
0” |
CDC, ROC (Taiwan), 16 February 2017 |
Thailand |
3,728 |
Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, 15 February 2017 |
Remarks:
* Dengue reporting systems vary by country.
“ Locally-acquired
# Cumulative cases since 2 January 2017.
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.
Vietnam: Avian Influenza, poultry
An outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N6 avian influenza was reported in Quang Ngai province of Vietnam.
(Source: Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy 20 February 2017)
France: Avian Influenza, poultry [Update]
More cases of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza were reported in southwest of France.
(Source: Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy 20 February 2017)
To date, a total of 11 people have been infected with Seoul virus in the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Colorado of USA. Seoul virus infection was also confirmed in pet rats from ratteries in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota.
[Editor’s notes: Seoul virus is a type of Hantavirus that is transmitted from rats to humans after exposure to aerosolized urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents, or after exposure to dust from their nests. Transmission may also occur from rat bites. The incubation period varies from 1 to 8 weeks; however, most individuals develop symptoms within 1 to 2 weeks after exposure. Seoul virus infection symptoms can range from mild to severe. In the severe form of the disease, patients can exhibit bleeding and renal syndromes. Seoul virus infection is not transmissible from human to human.]
(Source: World Health Organization 20 February 2017)
Mainland: Avian Influenza, human [Update]
The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health is closely monitoring three additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9), including one death, in Guizhou, Guangxi and Shandong, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
According to the Health and Family Planning Commission (HFPC) of Guizhou Province, a patient aged 45 in Qiandongnan is under management. The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region HFPC reported that a female patient aged 41 in Nanning has died, and she had been involved in selling live poultry in market before onset. In addition, the HFPC of Shandong Province reported on a female patient aged 48 in Qingdao.
(Source: Centre for Health Protection of Department of Health 20 February 2017)
Chile: Hantavirus infection [Update]
So far this year, 6 cases of Hantavirus infection were reported in Los Rios region, Chile.
(Source: ProMED-mail 20 February 2017)
Argentina: Hantavirus Infection
A 36-year-old woman died of Hantavirus infection in Buenos Aires of Argentina.
(Source: ProMED-mail 20 February 2017)
An outbreak of norovirus linked to British Columbia-harvested oysters was reported in Canada. As of 14 Feb 2017, 221 cases were reported.
(Source: ProMED-mail 19 February 2017)
A total of 926 cases of malaria were reported in Ecuador in 2016, of which 69% were caused by Plasmodium vivax.
(Source: ProMED-mail 18 February 2017)
A total of 83,356 cases of malaria were reported in Colombia in 2016, of which 57% were caused by Plasmodium falciparum.
(Source: ProMED-mail 18 February 2017)
216 confirmed cases of cholera were reported following a tropical storm in Mozambique.
(Source: ProMED-mail 17 February 2017)
Mainland: Avian Influenza, human [Update]
The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health received notification from the National Health and Family Planning Commission that 61 additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9), including seven deaths, were recorded from February 6 to 12. The CHP strongly urges the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
The 43 male and 18 female patients aged from 22 to 85 had their onset from January 6 to February 8. The cases were from Hubei (11 cases), Zhejiang (10 cases), Jiangsu (nine cases), Guangdong (seven cases), Anhui (six cases), Hunan (six cases), Fujian (five cases), Jiangxi (five cases), and one case each in Shandong and Yunnan. Among them, 25 reported exposure to poultry or poultry markets while the source of infection of 35 cases was still under investigation.
In addition, the CHP is closely monitoring one additional human H7N9 case reported in Beijing. According to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning, a male patient aged 48 with exposure to poultry had onset in Xingcheng City, Liaoning. He was then sent to Beijing for treatment and is now in serious condition.
(Source: Centre for Health Protection of Department of Health 16 February 2017)
Australia: Ross River Virus [Update]
The outbreak of Ross River Virus is ongoing in Victoria, Australia, with almost 150 cases recorded in January this year.
(Source: ProMED-mail 16 February 2017)
Cameroon: Avian Influenza, wild birds
Cases of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza were reported in Cameroon.
(Source: ProMED-mail 15 February 2017)
Czech Republic: Avian influenza, wild birds
Cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N5) were reported in Czech Republic.
(Source: ProMED-mail 15 February 2017)
Mainland: Avian Influenza, human [Update]
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is closely monitoring two additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Sichuan, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
The Health and Family Planning Commission of Sichuan Province reported that a 60-year old male patient from Pengxi County and a 48-year-old female patient from Zhongjiang County are now in critical condition.
(Source: Centre for Health Protection of Department of Health 14 February 2017)
Worldwide: Poliomyelitis [Update]
The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated the temporary recommendations regarding the international spread of poliovirus. States currently exporting wild poliovirus or circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV), i.e. Pakistan and Afghanistan, should ensure that all residents and long-term visitors (i.e. > 4 weeks) of all ages receive a dose of polio vaccine between 4 weeks and 12 months prior to international travel. For those undertaking urgent travel (i.e. within 4 weeks) who have not received a dose of polio vaccine in the previous 4 weeks to 12 months, should receive a dose of polio vaccine at least by the time of departure as this will provide benefit, particularly for frequent travellers. Travellers are provided with an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis to record their polio vaccination and serve as proof of vaccination.
The WHO also encourages residents and long-term visitors of those countries infected with but not exporting wild poliovirus or cVDPV, i.e. Nigeria and Lao People’s Democratic Republic, to receive a dose of polio vaccine 4 weeks to 12 months prior to international travel. For those undertaking urgent travel (i.e. within 4 weeks) should be encouraged to receive a dose at least by the time of departure. Travellers who receive such vaccination should have access to an appropriate document to record their polio vaccination status.
(Source: World Health Organization 14 February 2017)
Yellow fever virus transmission continues to expand towards the Atlantic coast of Brazil, including Bahia State, Espirito Santo State and Rio de Janeiro State.
Currently there is no evidence of yellow fever virus transmission in the large metropolitan areas of the East Coast such as Rio de Janeiro, San Salvador, and Sao Paulo.
Nevertheless, in view of the evolving situation, and considering that travellers for the Carnival in the next few weeks may take side tours outside the main cities, the WHO reminded travellers to get vaccinated against yellow fever at least 10 days prior to the travel, and adopt measures to avoid mosquito bites.
(Source: World Health Organization 14 February 2017)
21 February 2017