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

Costa Rica: Dengue Fever [Update]

27 November 2023

In Costa Rica, health authorities report a total of 22,561 cases of Dengue Fever through November 12, an increase of 228 percent compared to the same period in 2022 when 6,871 total cases were reported.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 26 November 2023)

Brazil: Dengue Fever [Update]

27 November 2023

During the first 10 months of 2023, Brazil health officials report more than 1.6 million probable cases of Dengue. The data indicates an increase of 21.4% when compared to the same period in 2022.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 23 November 2023)

Japan: Syphilis [Update]

23 November 2023

Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) has reported a 17 percent increase in Syphilis cases in 2023 according to the latest data. From the beginning of the year through November 15, officials report 12,965 cases, nearly 2,000 cases more than the 11,018 cases reported during the same period in 2022.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 22 November 2023)

Mainland China: Avian Influenza [Update]

23 November 2023

Mainland China has reported a H9N2 Avian Influenza case with symptom onset on October 1 in Sichuan province. Over the past 6 months, China has reported five human H9N2 cases.

(Source: CIDRAP 22 November 2023)

Philippines: Chikungunya Fever [Update]

21 November 2023

As of November 4, officials with the Cordillera Department of Health in the Philippines put the Chikungunya count at 1,433. This is a massive increase in cases compared to the three recorded in 2022—a 47,666.7 percent increase.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 21 November 2023)

USA: Listeriosis

21 November 2023

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a death in an ongoing Listeria outbreak linked to peaches, plums, and nectarines. So far at least 11 people in seven states have been sickened with Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause severe and fatal infections in young children, the elderly, and pregnant women.

(Source: CIDRAP 21 November 2023)