Travel Health Service Year 2022

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. 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.

For more information on dengue fever, including the latest situation in neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, please visit the Centre for Health Protection’s thematic webpage at https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/38847.html

Take precautions against Monkeypox when travelling abroad

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by Monkeypox virus. Often found in tropical forest regions of Central and West Africa. It is mainly transmitted by contact with infected animals, human-to-human transmission is limited. Incubation period is mainly from 6 to 13 days, symptoms are similar with Smallpox infection, but less severe.

Since 6 May this year, multiple outbreaks were reported in Europe and North America countries, and many patient are self-identified as bisexual or men who have sex with men. Travellers planning to travel in these areas should avoid contact with infected person. Travellers returning from these areas shall notify the doctor to seek medical treatment and inform the travel situation if feeling unwell.

For more information on Monkeypox, including the latest situation in overseas countries or places, please visit the World Health Organization and Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection’s thematic webpages at: https://www.who.int/health-topics/monkeypox#tab=tab_1
https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/105683.html

Egypt: Monkeypox

8 September 2022

The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population reported the first case of Monkeypox in the country.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 7 September 2022)

Mexico: Chickenpox [Update]

8 September 2022

As of 20 August, Mexico reported 21,060 cases of Chickenpox infection, an increase of 137% when compared with the same period last year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 7 September 2022)

Zimbabwe: Measles

6 September 2022

As of 4 September, Zimbabwe reported 6,291 cases of Measles with 698 deaths.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 5 September 2022)

Singapore: Dengue Fever [Update]

6 September 2022

As of 3 September, Singapore's National Environment Agency reported 26,173 cases of Dengue Fever infection.

(Source: Singapore’s National Environment Agency 5 September 2022)

Philippines: Rabies

5 September 2022

As of 13 August, Philippines reported 222 human fatal cases of Rabies.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 4 September 2022)

Philippines: Chikungunya Fever [Update]

5 September 2022

As of 13 August, Philippines reported 400 Chikungunya Fever cases, an increase of 506% when compared with the same period last year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 3 September 2022)

Japan: Syphilis [Update]

5 September 2022

As of 24 August, Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases reported 7,525 Syphilis cases. Among these, Tokyo has reported 2,178 cases, followed by 1,006 cases in Osaka.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 3 September 2022)

Laos: Dengue Fever [Update]

5 September 2022

As of 1 September, Laos reported 21,799 cases of Dengue Fever and 18 deaths.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 2 September 2022)