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

Vietnam: Dengue Fever [Update]

27 March 2023

In Vietnam, the number of Dengue Fever cases in the first two months of 2023 increased 2.3 times over the same period in 2022, especially in some provinces in the South and Central regions.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 25 March 2023)

Ecuador: Leptospirosis

27 March 2023

Ecuador Ministry of Public Health reported that until March 12, 2023, 54 cases of Leptospirosis have been registered. The increase in zoonotic diseases shows an unusual pattern this year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 25 March 2023)

South America: Dengue and Chikungunya Fever

24 March 2023

In 2022, a total of 3,123,752 cases (suspected and confirmed) of arboviral disease were reported in the Region of the Americas. Of these, 2,809,818 (90%) were Dengue cases and 273,685 (9%) were Chikungunya cases. This represents a proportional increase of approximately 119% compared to 2021.

In the current summer season, increased transmission and expansion of Chikungunya cases have been observed beyond historical areas of transmission. Furthermore, 2023 is showing intense Dengue transmission. In addition, higher transmission rates are expected in the coming months in the southern hemisphere, due to weather conditions favourable for the proliferation of mosquitoes.

(Source: WHO 23 March 2023)

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Typhoid

23 March 2023

Since 2023, a total of 1,800 suspected cases of the Typhoid fever epidemic, including 12 deaths, have been notified in Kwango province of Democratic Republic of the Congo.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 22 March 2023)

Vanuatu: Leptospirosis

23 March 2023

The Vanuatu Ministry of Health reports 32 cases of Leptospirosis and one death since the start of the year. This has prompted health officials to issue a red alert.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 21 March 2023)

Equatorial Guinea: Marburg Virus Disease [Update]

23 March 2023

In Equatorial Guinea, a total of nine laboratory-confirmed Marburg Virus Disease cases and 20 probable cases have been reported since the outbreak in February 2023. There are seven deaths among the laboratory confirmed, and all probable cases are dead. The areas reporting cases are about 150 kilometers apart, suggesting wider transmission of the virus.

(Source: WHO 22 March 2023)

Tanzania: Marburg virus disease

22 March 2023

Health officials have identified the cause of an outbreak that killed five people and hospitalized three others in Kagera province is Marburg virus disease.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 21 March 2023)

South Africa: Measles

22 March 2023

As of 16 March 2023, confirmed cases of Measles have been reported from all provinces; eight out of nine South African provinces have declared measles outbreaks. No deaths associated with measles have been recorded.

WHO assesses the risk posed by the current outbreak as high at the national level, moderate at the regional level and low at the global level.

(Source: WHO 22 March 2023)

Pakistan: Poliomyelitis

21 March 2023

The Pakistan National polio laboratory reported the first confirmed case of Wild Poliovirus infection in 6 months, affecting a three-year-old child.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 20 March 2023)

Philippines: Leptospirosis

21 March 2023

From January 1 through March 4 in 2023, the Philippines Department of Health recorded 4,807 Leptospirosis cases including 71 deaths.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 20 March 2023)

Japan: Mpox (monkeypox)

21 March 2023

The Japanese Ministry of Health reported 13 confirmed cases of Mpox in the past week from Tokyo, Osaka, and Ibaraki Prefectures.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 20 March 2023)