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

Paraguay: Chikungunya Fever [Update]

24 February 2023

During the first six weeks of 2023, Paraguay has recorded 21,069 confirmed Chikungunya cases, out of which 23 people died.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 23 February 2023)

Bolivia: Dengue Fever [Update]

24 February 2023

As of 22 February, Bolivia reported 9,328 cases and 29 deaths of Dengue Fever infection this year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 23 February 2023)

Ghana: Malaria

23 February 2023

Ghana recorded 5.7 million Malaria cases in 2021, out of which 275 people died.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 22 February 2023)

South Africa: Measles [Update]

23 February 2023

South Africa reported four confirmed Measles in the City of Cape Town from 24 January 2023 to 17 February 2023.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 21 February 2023)

Paraguay: Chikungunya and dengue [Update]

23 February 2023

In the last three weeks, 11,864 Chikungunya cases and 203 Dengue were registered in Paraguay.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 21 February 2023)

Singapore: Dengue Fever [Update]

21 February 2023

Singapore’s National Environment Agency reported 1,619 cases of Dengue Fever this year (until 20 February).

(Source: Singapore’s National Environment Agency 21 February 2023)

Taiwan: Dengue Fever [Update]

21 February 2023

Taiwan has reported 9 imported cases of Dengue Fever this year (until 21 February). Four cases were imported from Indonesia, two from Malaysia, one each from India, Maldives and the Philippines.

(Source: Taiwan Centers for Disease Control 21 February 2023)

Martinique: Dengue Fever

21 February 2023

Martinique reported resurgence of dengue cases. 13 confirmed cases and more than 120 cases suggestive of dengue were reported since February.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 19 February 2023)

Nigeria: Lassa fever [Update]

21 February 2023

During the first six weeks of 2023, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control reported 531 confirmed cases of Lassa fever with 85 deaths.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 20 February 2023)

Philippines: Measles

21 February 2023

Philippines Department of Health reported 59 measles cases in January, up from the eight cases reported during the same period last year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 19 February 2023)

Argentina: Chikungunya Fever

21 February 2023

So far this year, 10 confirmed and 12 probable imported cases of Chikungunya Fever were reported in Argentina, all with a history of travel to Paraguay.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 18 February 2023)

Taiwan: Hantavirus

21 February 2023

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the first case of Hantavirus infection in 2023.

The case is a woman in her 30s in central Taiwan, whose family member was diagnosed with Hantavirus syndrome in November last year. She has no recent travel history, but often comes into contact with rodents at work.

According to statistics from the CDC, there have been 5 confirmed cases of Hantavirus infection last year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 19 February 2023)