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

Nigeria: Cholera [Update]

16 February 2023

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported 429 suspected Cholera cases in 11 states in January 2023.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 15 February 2023)

Thailand: Dengue Fever [Update]

15 February 2023

As of 7 February, Thailand reported 3,855 cases and 1 death of Dengue Fever infection from 72 provinces.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 13 February 2023)

Equatorial Guinea: Marburg Virus Disease

15 February 2023

Equatorial Guinea reported its first Marburg Virus Disease outbreak. WHO reported nine deaths and 16 suspected cases.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 13 February 2023; CIDRAP 14 February 2023)

Nigeria: Diphtheria [Update]

14 February 2023

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported 216 confirmed cases and 40 deaths of Diphtheria from May 2022 through January 2023.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 13 February 2023)

Singapore: Dengue Fever [Update]

14 February 2023

As of 11 February, Singapore’s National Environment Agency reported 1,462 cases of Dengue Fever infection.

(Source: Singapore’s National Environment Agency 13 February 2023)

Taiwan: Dengue Fever [Update]

14 February 2023

As of 12 February, Taiwan has reported 8 imported cases of Dengue Fever infection. Four cases were imported from Indonesia, two from Malaysia, one from India and one from the Philippines.

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

Nigeria: Lassa fever [Update]

14 February 2023

As of 29 January, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control reported 361 confirmed cases and 53 deaths of Lassa fever.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 12 February 2023)

Malaysia: Dengue Fever [Update]

14 February 2023

As of 8 February, the Malaysia Ministry of Health reported 11,127 cases of Dengue Fever infection with 6 deaths. Number of cases increased by 211.4% when compared with the same period last year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 11 February 2023)

South Africa: Measles [Update]

14 February 2023

Since the beginning of October 2022, the South Africa National Institute of Communicable Diseases has reported 506 cases of confirmed Measles infection.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 11 February 2023)

Bolivia: Dengue Fever [Update]

14 February 2023

As of 10 February, Bolivia reported 5,347 cases and 18 deaths of Dengue Fever infection this year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 11 February 2023)

Paraguay: Chikungunya Fever [Update]

14 February 2023

Paraguay reported approximately 11,000 Chikungunya Fever cases and 14 related deaths in the past three weeks.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 10 February 2023)