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 Mpox (also known as monkeypox) when travelling abroad

Mpox (also known as monkeypox) is a zoonotic disease caused by Mpox 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 Mpox, 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

Bolivia: Yellow Fever

6 April 2023

Bolivia reported two Yellow Fever cases in Santa Cruz and Beni.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 5 April 2023)

Philippines: Diphtheria

6 April 2023

Health authorities in the Philippines have reported 20 Diphtheria cases through March 18 including 6 deaths. Eight cases have been reported in the Metro Manila area, followed by Calabarzon with 5 and 3 cases in Central Luzon.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 5 April 2023)

Armenia: Measles [Update]

6 April 2023

The Armenia National Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported 85 confirmed Measles cases as of March 29 this year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 4 April 2023)

Panama: Hantavirus

6 April 2023

Five cases of Hantavirus infection have been reported in Los Santos, Panama during the first three months of 2023.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 4 April 2023)

South Africa: Cholera

4 April 2023

During the past month, South African health officials have reported four additional Cholera cases, bring the total to 10 since early February. Three of the new cases are in the City of Johannesburg. One case is in Ekhurhuleni.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 2 April 2023)

Vanuatu: Leptospirosis [Update]

4 April 2023

In a follow-up on the Leptospirosis situation in the South Pacific island of Vanuatu, health officials report the total cases are now at 40 through March 22. In addition, the death toll has risen to five.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 2 April 2023)

Equatorial Guinea: Marburg Virus Disease [Update]

4 April 2023

Equatorial Guinea's health ministry on Mar 31 reported 1 more Marburg Virus Disease case, raising the outbreak total to 14.

In an update today, the ministry today said 10 people are hospitalized, including 2 of the confirmed patients and 8 who have suspected infections. Officials also reported one more death raising the total in the confirmed cases to 10.

Earlier in the outbreak, which began in January, the country reported 20 probable cases, all fatal. Currently, 604 people are under contact monitoring.

(Source: CIDRAP 3 April 2023)