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

13 January 2023

As of 13 January, Taiwan has reported 2 imported cases of Dengue Fever infection, one each from Indonesia and Philippine.

(Source: Taiwan Centers for Disease Control 13 January 2023)

Bangladesh: Nipah Virus

13 January 2023

In 2022, 3 human Nipah virus cases including 2 deaths were reported in Bangladesh.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 12 January 2023)

Haiti: Cholera

13 January 2023

Since the outbreak of Cholera was reported in 2 October 2022, 23,044 suspected cases including 1,576 confirmed cases and 355 deaths were reported in Haiti as of 7 January this year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 10 January 2023)

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Measles

13 January 2023

In 2022, Democratic Republic of the Congo reported about 140,000 cases of Measles infection with more than 1,700 deaths

(Source: Outbreak News Today 10 January 2023)

Singapore: Dengue Fever [Update]

10 January 2023

As of 9 January, Singapore’s National Environment Agency reported 302 cases of Dengue Fever infection.

(Source: Singapore’s National Environment Agency 3 January 2023)

Panama: Hantavirus

10 January 2023

In Panama, 39 cases of Hantavirus infection were reported in the province of Los Santos in 2022.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 9 January 2023)

Kenya: Anthrax

10 January 2023

Kenya reported 10 cases of Anthrax in Kisii County, many cases have feasted on meat from an infected animal carcass.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 8 January 2023)

Brazil: Dengue Fever

10 January 2023

Brazil reported 1,450,270 probable cases of Dengue Fever infection, including 1,016 deaths in 2022.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 8 January 2023)

Philippines: Dengue Fever

10 January 2023

As of 17 Dec 2022, Philippines reported 220,705 cases of Dengue Fever and 722 deaths.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 7 January 2023)

Philippines: Chikungunya Fever

10 January 2023

As of 17 Dec 2022, Philippines reported 600 cases of Chikungunya Fever , an increase of 552% when compared with the same period last year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 7 January 2023)