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

Africa: Measles

5 December 2022

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that a number of countries in Africa are experiencing Measles outbreaks and advised all travelers to Africa, including infants and pre-school aged children, should be fully vaccinated against measles.

In Africa, health officials in the 17 countries listed have reported Measles outbreaks, meaning the number of measles cases is higher than normal: Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Togo.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 2 December 2022)

Taiwan: Dengue Fever [Update]

2 December 2022

As of 2 December, Taiwan reported 80 cases of Dengue Fever infection including 60 imported cases. Thirty four cases were imported from Vietnam, followed by 8 from Indonesia and 6 from Philippine.

(Source: Taiwan Centers for Disease Control 2 December 2022)

Singapore: Dengue Fever [Update]

2 December 2022

As of 1 December, Singapore's National Environment Agency reported 30,764 cases of Dengue Fever infection.

(Source: Singapore's National Environment Agency 2 December 2022)

South Africa: Measles [Update]

2 December 2022

South Africa reported 99 cases of Measles in Limpopo province and Mpumalanga province from 1 September to 30 November.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 1 December 2022)

Panama: Hantavirus [Update]

2 December 2022

As of 12 November, the Panama Ministry of Health reported 47 cases of Hantavirus infection including 3 deaths.

The province of Los Santos has the highest rate of confirmed cases; followed by the Health regions from Herrera, Coclé, West Panama and Veraguas.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 1 December 2022)

Russia: Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

2 December 2022

A total of 59 cases of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever have been detected in the southern regions of Russia since the beginning of this year. Only 49 cases were detected in 2021.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 1 December 2022)

Vietnam: Dengue Fever [Update]

2 December 2022

As of 25 November, 14,872 cases of Dengue Fever infection including 18 deaths were reported in the Hanoi city of Vietnam. Total number of cases increases by 4.5 times when compared with same period last year. Across the country, 325,604 cases including 122 deaths were reported so far.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 30 November 2022)

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Yellow Fever

2 December 2022

As of 6 November, 10 probable cases of Yellow Fever infection, 6 confirmed cases and one death have been reported in Democratic Republic of Congo.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 30 November 2022)

Haiti: Cholera [Update]

2 December 2022

As of 2 October, Haiti reported 1,045 confirmed cases of Cholera infection including 174 deaths.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 30 November 2022)

Taiwan: Paratyphoid Fever

2 December 2022

As of 27 November, 6 confirmed cases of Paratyphoid Fever were reported in Taiwan, all of which were local cases.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 30 November 2022)