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]

31 January 2023

As of 29 January, Bolivia reported 2,221 cases of Dengue Fever infection this year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 30 January 2023)

Paraguay: Leprosy

31 January 2023

From 2017 to 2021, Paraguay reported 1,493 new cases of Leprosy, an average of 298.5 cases per year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 30 January 2023)

Taiwan: Dengue Fever [Update]

31 January 2023

As of 30 January, Taiwan has reported 4 imported cases of Dengue Fever infection, two from Indonesia, one from India and one from the Philippines.

(Source: Taiwan Centers for Disease Control 30 January 2023)

Singapore: Dengue Fever [Update]

31 January 2023

As of 28 January, Singapore’s National Environment Agency reported 1,019 cases of Dengue Fever infection.

(Source: Singapore’s National Environment Agency 30 January 2023)

Bangladesh: Nipah Virus [Update]

31 January 2023

Bangladesh has recorded 8 human Nipah virus cases including 5 deaths.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 29 January 2023)

Nigeria: Lassa fever [Update]

31 January 2023

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control reported 105 confirmed cases and 7 deaths of Lassa fever in the first two weeks of 2023.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 29 January 2023)

Brazil: Leprosy

31 January 2023

In 2022, Brazil reported more than 17,000 new cases of Leprosy infection.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 28 January 2023)

Vietnam: Dengue Fever [Update]

31 January 2023

Vietnam reported 367,729 cases and 140 deaths of Dengue Fever in 2022. The number of cases was 5 times higher than that of 2021.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 27 January 2023)

Paraguay: Chikungunya Fever

31 January 2023

Paraguay reported 5,625 Chikungunya Fever cases in the first three weeks this year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 27 January 2023)

Bolivia: Pertussis

31 January 2023

Bolivia reported 255 cases and 2 deaths of Pertussis this year.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 26 January 2023)