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

Mexico: Mpox (monkeypox)

12 March 2023

The Mexico Ministry of Health reports that, in the last 14 days, a total of 74 probable cases and 51 confirmed cases of Mpox (monkeypox) have been identified in the country.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 12 March 2023)

Philippines: Rabies

12 March 2023

The Philippines Department of Health's Epidemiology Bureau reports 55 human Rabies cases/deaths through February 25 this year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 12 March 2023)

Philippines: Measles

10 March 2023

Philippines health officials have reported a 565 percent increase in Measles cases year to date. From January 1 through February 25, 2023, 133 Measles cases have been reported.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 10 March 2023)

South Africa: Measles [Update]

10 March 2023

South Africa reports since the first week in October 2022, 727 confirmed Measles cases have been detected. The most affected age groups are still the 5-9-year-olds (42%) with a considerable proportion of cases reported among the 1-4 (25%) and 10-14 age groups (19%). Members of the public are urged to ensure their children are vaccinated against measles.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 9 March 2023)

South America: Chikungunya Fever [Update]

10 March 2023

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) today sounded another alarm about Chikungunya activity in South America, with the mosquito-borne virus expanding to new areas with an unusually high number of cases and deaths. During the first 8 weeks of this year, the region reported nearly 115,539 cases in 14 countries, 33 of the illnesses fatal, with Paraguay and Brazil among the hardest-hit countries.

(Source: CIDRAP 10 March 2023)

Malaysia: Dengue Fever [Update]

9 March 2023

The Malaysia Ministry of Health reports 19,450 cumulative Dengue Fever cases through the first two months of 2023, an increase of about 212% compared to the same period in 2022 (6,229). In 2023 to date, 15 dengue-related fatalities have been reported in Malaysia, compared to two deaths in the same period last year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 8 March 2023)

Cambodia: Avian Influenza

8 March 2023

In February 2023, Cambodia reported two people (a girl and her father) infected with Avian Influenza A(H5N1) virus. Both cases were infected from birds. The 11-year-old girl died on 22 February. The father was asymptomatic, isolated at the referral hospital and has now been discharged.

(Source: ECDC European Union 1 March 2023)

Argentina: Chikungunya fever [Update]

6 March 2023

The Chikungunya case tally has risen to 19 in the city of Pergamino in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Several of the patients had no travel history, and considered locally transmitted.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 6 March 2023)

Malaysia: Rabies

6 March 2023

A total of six Rabies outbreak cases were reported in Sarawak, Malaysia, with four deaths recorded from January to March 2023.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 6 March 2023)