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

Singapore: Dengue Fever [Update]

20 January 2023

As of 19 January, Singapore’s National Environment Agency reported 746 cases of Dengue Fever infection.

(Source: Singapore’s National Environment Agency 20 January 2023)

Thailand: Dengue Fever

20 January 2023

In 2002, a total of 45,145 cases of Dengue Fever infection and 29 deaths were reported in Thailand. Local health officials are expecting 3-4 times increase in the number of cases in 2023.

As of 16 January, Thailand has already reported 986 cases of infection.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 19 January 2023)

Bolivia: Dengue Fever

20 January 2023

As of 18 January, Bolivia reported 508 cases of Dengue Fever infection in Santa Cruz, Beni, La Paz, Pando, Tarija and Cochabamba.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 19 January 2023)

South Africa: Measles

20 January 2023

Since the beginning of October 2022, the South Africa National Institute of Communicable Diseases has reported 397 cases of confirmed Measles infection.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 18 January 2023)

Nepal: Dengue Fever

20 January 2023

In 2022, Nepal reported 54,784 cases and 88 deaths of Dengue Fever, increased by more than 10,000% when compared to 2021.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 18 January 2023)

Singapore: Dengue Fever [Update]

17 January 2023

As of 16 January, Singapore’s National Environment Agency reported 595 cases of Dengue Fever infection.

(Source: Singapore’s National Environment Agency 17 January 2023)

Serbia: Measles

17 January 2023

The Institute of Public Health of Serbia reported 4 confirmed cases of Measles among 3 children and 1 adult in Smederevo. Three of the cases were in unvaccinated persons, the remaining with unknown vaccination status.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 15 January 2023)

Burundi: Cholera

17 January 2023

On 1 January, Burundi's Minister of Public Health declared an outbreak of Cholera after detected 11 suspected cases since 30 December 2022.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 15 January 2023)