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

South Africa: Cholera [Update]

9 June 2023

South Africa’s National Department of Health announced on Thursday that the Cholera death toll now stands at 31, following the outbreak in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria. Data shows that the country has recorded a total cumulative number of 166 laboratory-confirmed cases and 202 suspected infections of cholera in five provinces between 1 February and 6 June 2023.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 8 June 2023)

Peru: Dengue Fever [Update]

8 June 2023

Peru health officials reported recently that three Dengue serotypes of the four that exist in the world are circulating in the country. Peru has reported 115,656 total cases this year, including 166 deaths.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 7 June 2023)

Brazil: Dengue fever, Chikungunya and Zika virus infection [Update]

8 June 2023

Through June 5, health authorities of Minas Gerais in Brazil reported 371,865 probable Dengue cases, including 196,658 confirmed cases of the disease. There are 110 confirmed deaths from dengue in Minas Gerais and another 125 deaths under investigation.

Concerning Chikungunya, health officials report 71,319 probable cases of the disease were registered, of which 38,648 were confirmed. So far, 23 deaths from Chikungunya have been confirmed in Minas Gerais and 15 are under investigation.

As for the Zika virus, 243 probable cases have been registered so far. There are 24 confirmed for the disease and there are no deaths from Zika in Minas Gerais, to date.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 7 June 2023)

Taiwan: Mpox (monkeypox) [Update]

8 June 2023

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on the first Mpox case in a child in the region. As of June 7, a total of 149 cases (137 local cases and 12 imported cases) have been confirmed in Taiwan.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 7 June 2023)

Vietnam: Anthrax

8 June 2023

Vietnam reported three outbreaks of cutaneous Anthrax, including 13 cases in Tua Chua district in the month May.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 6 June 2023)

Ghana: Anthrax

6 June 2023

According to health officials in Ghana, one person has been confirmed dead while 11 others are infected with suspected Anthrax after consuming the carcass of dead cattle.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 4 June 2023)

USA: Mpox (monkeypox) [Update]

6 June 2023

In USA, a recent cluster of Mpox has been reported in Chicago, and two cases have been reported in New Jersey this week.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 3 June 2023)

Sri Lanka: Dengue Fever [Update]

6 June 2023

According to the National Dengue Control Unit, Sri Lanka has recorded 39,409 Dengue cases, including 25 deaths so far in 2023.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 3 June 2023)

Bangladesh: Dengue Fever [Update]

6 June 2023

Through June 3, Bangladesh health authorities reported 2,279 total Dengue cases, including 1,036 cases in May alone.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 3 June 2023)

Mainland China: Avian Influenza

6 June 2023

This Avian influenza (H5N6) case involves a 54-year-old female living in Nanchong, Sichuan, who had exposure to live domestic poultry before the onset of symptoms. She developed symptoms on May 19 and was admitted for treatment on the same day. She is in serious condition.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 5 June 2023)

Indonesia: Rabies

6 June 2023

The Indonesian Ministry of Health announced that there were 11 cases of death caused by Rabies. 95% of rabies cases are caused by dog bites.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 4 June 2023)

Iraq: Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

6 June 2023

Iraq health officials have reported the first human fatality due to Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever this year. This is the second infection that has been recorded in a week.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 4 June 2023)