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.

Detailed information on the latest Dengue fever situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, can be found at the Centre for Health Protection’s website: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/df_imported_cases_and_overseas_figures_eng.pdf

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

Philippines: Diphtheria [Update]

29 December 2023

Diphtheria cases in the Philippines are up 154 percent in the first 11 months of the year, rising from 78 cases in 2022 to 198 cases this year to date. Diphtheria fatalities were up by 163 percent (19 in 2022 compared to 50 in 2023).

(Source: Outbreak News Today 28 December 2023)

Philippines: Measles [Update]

29 December 2023

The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) reported an increase in Measles cases this year. 2,576 total cases were reported through December 2, up 374 percent from the 544 cases during the same period in 2022. 16 measles deaths have been reported this year to date. No measles deaths were reported in 2022.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 28 December 2023)

Philippines: Pertussis [Update]

29 December 2023

The most dramatic increase in a vaccine preventable disease in the Philippines in 2023 is seen with Pertussis. 705 pertussis, or whooping cough cases have been reported year to date. This is a 1,579 percent increase from 2022 when 42 cases reported. The death toll is also significantly higher this year—2 in 2022 vs 48 in 2023.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 28 December 2023)

USA and Portugal: Mpox (monkeypox) [Update]

29 December 2023

In its latest monthly update, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 906 new Mpox cases from 26 countries in November, reflecting an increase of 26% compared to October. With nearly 300 cases, the United States reported the steepest rise in the Americas, followed by Portugal reporting 128 new cases, which makes Europe the region with the second highest number of cases.

(Source: CIDRAP 28 December 2023)

Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria: Poliomyelitis [Update]

29 December 2023

Three African nations—Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Nigeria—reported more Polio cases, all involving vaccine-derived types, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) said in its latest weekly update. Chad reported five circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) cases from five different provinces, putting its total for the year at 50. The DRC reported six cVDPV2 cases, making 116 for the year, and three infections involving circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1), lifting that number to 95 for 2023 and the total for 2022 to 150. Also, Nigeria reported five cVDPV2 cases, boosting its total for 2023 to 62.

(Source: CIDRAP 28 December 2023)

Mainland China: Avian Influenza [Update]

27 December 2023

Health authorities are reporting the death of a 33-year-old female from Bazhong City, Sichuan Province in southwestern China due to Avian Influenza A(H5N6). Officials say she visited a live poultry market before the onset of symptoms in late October. She was admitted for treatment on October 22 and passed away on November 14.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 23 December 2023)