Travel Health Service Year 2019

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 01/01/2019 *

	Cumulative reported no. of cases since 01/01/2019	Source of information and date of report
Australia	429	World Health Organization, 9 May 2019
Brazil	586,569	World Health Organization, 9 May 2019
Cambodia	1,330	World Health Organization, 28 February 2019
Guangdong, China	63	Health Commission of Guangdong Province, 15 April 2019
Japan	96^{^}	National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan, 10 May 2019
Lao PDR	2,405	World Health Organization, 9 May 2019
Malaysia	43,065	World Health Organization, 9 May 2019
Mexico	12,900	World Health Organization, 9 May 2019
The Philippines	67,106	World Health Organization, 9 May 2019
Singapore	3,121^@	Singapore National Environment Agency, 9 May 2019
Sri Lanka	16,313	Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, 9 May 2019
Taiwan, China	1”	CDC, ROC (Taiwan), 9 May 2019
Thailand	19,503	Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, 8 May 2019
Vietnam	57,880	World Health Organization, 9 May 2019

* Dengue reporting systems vary by country/area.
@Cumulative cases since 30 December 2018.
^ Cumulative cases since 31 December 2018.
” Locally-acquired

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.

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ebola Virus Disease [Update]

The Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo continues. The total number of cases has reached 1,705. The total number of deaths is 1,124.

(Source: Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy 13 May 2019)

Saudi Arabia: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome [Update]

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) recorded 138 cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome since the beginning of 2019. Wadi-ad-Dasawir recorded a large outbreak with 61 cases. Khafji recorded a new outbreak with 13 cases, 6 of which were fatal.

(Source: Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy 13 May 2019)

Yemen: Cholera

Yemen continues to report high numbers of cholera cases. 668,891 cases and 1,081 associated deaths were reported within the first four months this year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 12 May 2019)

Tunisia: Measles

Tunisia recorded a large outbreak of measles in 2019. As of 30 April, more than 3,100 suspected cases have been reported, including 30 deaths.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 11 May 2019)

Romania: Measles

Romania continues to report measles activity at high level. So far this year, 1,027 cases have been reported, including 4 deaths.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 10 May 2019)

Southeast Asia: Dengue Fever [Update]

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever, and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

From May 3 to 9, the CHP confirmed three imported DF cases. The patients had been to Thailand (one case), Sri Lanka (one case) and Vietnam (one case) during the incubation period.

As of May 9, 45 cases had been confirmed this year, all of which were imported. The cases were mainly imported from Indonesia (nine), Malaysia (nine) and Thailand (eight).

(Source: Centre for Health Protection of Department of Health 10 May 2019)

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ebola Virus Disease [Update]

The Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo continues. The total number of cases has reached 1,604. The total number of deaths is 1,074.

(Source: Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy 9 May 2019)

Oman: Avian Influenza

Oman has detected H9N2 avian influenza infection in a 13-month-old baby girl from South Batinah governorate.

(Source: Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy 9 May 2019)

Japan: Measles [Update]

In Japan, the outbreak of measles cases is continuing in 2019. Officials have reported 422 measles cases since the beginning of the year. The Government confirmed a Narita International Airport employee with measles positive. This prompted a public health announcement from US Forces Japan.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 8 May 2019)

State of New York, USA: Measles [Update]

USA New York State continues to report measles cases at high level. New York City health authorities reported an additional 43 confirmed measles cases during the past week, bringing the outbreak total to 466 cases in Brooklyn and Queens since September.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 8 May 2019)

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ebola Virus Disease [Update]

The Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo continues. The total number of cases has reached 1,600. The total number of deaths is 1,069.

(Source: Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy 8 May 2019)