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

Bolivia: Dengue Fever [Update]

26 January 2023

Bolivia reported 1,010 cases of Dengue Fever infection, with 712 cases in Santa Cruz department, followed by Beni 213.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 25 January 2023)

Philippines: Dengue Fever [Update]

26 January 2023

Philippines reported 226,497 cases of Dengue Fever in 2022, an increase of 185% when compared to 2021.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 24 January 2023)

Philippines: Chikungunya Fever [Update]

26 January 2023

Philippines reported 600 Chikungunya Fever cases in 2022, an increase of 545% when compared to 2021.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 24 January 2023)

Thailand: Melioidosis

26 January 2023

Thailand reported 3,559 Melioidosis cases and 97 deaths from 70 provinces in 2022. During the first 16 days of 2023, Thailand has reported 110 Melioidosis cases from 20 provinces and no deaths.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 23 January 2023)

Nigeria: Diphtheria

26 January 2023

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 25 people died of Diphtheria infection in Kano state. In addition, cases have been reported in Lagos, Osun and Yobe States.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 22 January 2023)

Dominican Republic: Cholera

26 January 2023

Since the notification of the first confirmed case on 20 October 2022, to 18 January 2023, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance of the Dominican Republic reported 25 cases of Cholera infection.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 22 January 2023)

Thailand: Chikungunya fever [Update]

26 January 2023

Thailand health officials reported 1,370 Chikungunya cases in 48 provinces in 2022. No deaths have been reported. The number of cases doubled compared to 2021.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 22 January 2023)

Indonesia: Measles

26 January 2023

Indonesia reported 3,341 cases of Measles in 2022, a significant increase of approximately 32 times when compared to last year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 20 January 2023)

Guinea: Yellow Fever

26 January 2023

Guinea reported a 9 years old child died of Yellow Fever infection.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 20 January 2023)