Travel Health Service Year 2023

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 2022, 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

5 January 2023

Taiwan reported 85 cases of Dengue Fever infection in 2022.

(Source: Taiwan Centers for Disease Control 5 January 2023)

Vietnam: Dengue Fever

5 January 2023

In 2022, Vietnam recorded 361,813 cases of Dengue Fever infection including 133 deaths. The number of cases increased by 5 times compared to the same period last year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 4 January 2023)

USA: Dengue Fever

5 January 2023

In United States of America, the Florida Department of Health reported a total of 65 cases of locally-acquired and 823 cases of imported Dengue Fever in 2022. About 69% of all the cases were reported in Miami-Dade County and 92% of imported cases had visited Cuba.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 4 January 2023)

Singapore: Dengue Fever [Update]

4 January 2023

Singapore's National Environment Agency reported 32,097 Dengue Fever cases in 2022. This is the second most cases reported in Singapore in a single year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 3 January 2022)

Philippines: Typhoid [Update]

4 January 2023

As of 10 December, Philippines reported 15,092 cases of Typhoid infection including 62 deaths. Number of cases increased by 162% when compared with same period last year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 3 January 2022)

Bangladesh: Dengue Fever [Update]

3 January 2023

The Bangladesh Directorate General of Health Services reported 281 Dengue Fever related deaths in 2022, breaking the previous record for fatalities in 2019 when 179 deaths were recorded.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 1 January 2023)

Mexico: Rabies

3 January 2023

The state of Oaxaca, in southwestern Mexico, reported 4 cases of human Rabies in December 2022.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 31 December 2022)

Puerto Rico: Leptospirosis [Update]

3 January 2023

The Puerto Rico Department of Health reported nearly 800 total cases of Leptospirosis in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 31 December 2022)

South Africa: Rabies [Update]

3 January 2023

As of 13 December, South Africa reported 13 confirmed Rabies cases including 7 from the Eastern Cape province, 4 from Limpopo province and 2 from KwaZuluNatal province. A further 6 probable cases have been reported from the Eastern Cape province (5) and KwaZulu-Natal province (1).

(Source: Outbreak News Today 29 December 2022)