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

Taiwan: Dengue Fever [Update]

14 October 2022

As of 14 October, Taiwan reported 62 cases of Dengue Fever infection.

(Source: Taiwan Centers for Disease Control 14 October 2022)

Lebanon: Cholera [Update]

14 October 2022

As of 12 October, the Lebanon Ministry of Public Health reported 26 cases of confirmed Cholera infection including 1 death.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 12 October 2022)

Philippines: Typhoid [Update]

14 October 2022

As of 17 September, the Philippines Department of Health reported 10,452 cases of Typhoid infection with 49 deaths. A 135% increase in the total number of cases when compared with same period last year.

The Cordillera Administrative Region reported the most number of cases with 2,132, followed by 1,338 cases in Northern Mindanao and 1,167 cases in the Central Visayas.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 12 October 2022)

Vietnam: Dengue Fever [Update]

14 October 2022

To date, Vietnam recorded 247,202 cases of Dengue Fever including 100 deaths.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 12 October 2022)

Haiti: Cholera [Update]

14 October 2022

As of 9 October, Haiti national authorities confirmed 32 cases of Cholera infection and 18 deaths, as well as over 260 suspected cases in the area surrounding the capital Port-au-Prince.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 12 October 2022)

Singapore: Dengue Fever [Update]

12 October 2022

As of 11 October, Singapore's National Environment Agency reported 28,716 cases of Dengue Fever infection.

(Source: Singapore's National Environment Agency 12 October 2022)

Brazil: Hantavirus

12 October 2022

As of September, the Brazil Ministry of Health reported 22 cases of Hantavirus infection including 10 deaths.