Travel Health Service Year 2026

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 wer e 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

USA: Measles [Update]

14 September 2026

In a post from the Jefferson County Coroner's Office Saturday, Coroner Greg Furlong has confirmed the county's first measles-related death.

Since Wednesday, September 9, Pensylvania state health officials report an additional 52 measles cases, bringing the total to 676 confirmed cases in 2026.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 13 September 2026 and Outbreak News Today 12 September 2026)

Japan: Syphilis [Update]

14 September 2026

In the first 8 months of 2026, Japan has reported 7,700 syphilis cases.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 13 September 2026)

Philippines: Leptospirosis [Update]

14 September 2026

The Philippines Bulacan Provincial Health Office–Public Health reports from Jan.1 to Sept. 5, 2026, 394 suspected cases of leptospirosis were reported compared to 158 during the same period last year, a 149 percent increase.

The Manila city government has reported 242 additional leptospirosis cases since the epidemic was declared on September 7.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 13 September 2026 and Outbreak News Today 12 September 2026)

USA: Legionnaires’ disease [Update]

14 September 2026

In a follow-up on the Legionnaires’ disease cluster in the South Bronx, New York City, city health officials now report eight cases (2 currently hospitalized, 4 discharged, 1 not hospitalized and 1 death).

(Source: Outbreak News Today 12 September 2026)

Nigeria: Diphtheria

14 September 2026

According to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Director General, Dr. Gidado Idris, speaking to media in Abuja recently, the country has recorded more than 10,000 cases of the vaccine-preventable disease, diphtheria. Officials report that eight state account for 98 percent of the confirmed cases - Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Borno, Bauchi, Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 12 September 2026)

Mauritania: Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

14 September 2026

The Mauritania Ministry of Health reports a new outbreak of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 12 September 2026)

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ebola Disease [Update]

14 September 2026

According to the latest data from the Democratic Republic of the Congo Ministry of Health, 80 new confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)—including 31 community deaths—were reported on September 10. The confirmed cases are distributed across the provinces of Ituri (30 cases), North Kivu (43), Haut-Uélé (6), and Sud-Ubangi (1).

(Source: Outbreak News Today 12 September 2026)

South Korea: Japanese Encephalitis [Update]

14 September 2026

The first Japanese encephalitis case of the year in South Korea was confirmed in a woman in her 60s; the patient is currently hospitalized with symptoms including fever, chills, and vomiting.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 11 September 2026)

USA: Dengue Fever [Update]

14 September 2026

In a follow-up on the locally transmitted dengue fever situation in Florida, state health officials report 38 additional autochthonous cases during the week ending September 5, bringing the total in the state to 111.

Hillsborough County continues to be the state’s hotspot reporting 36 additional cases, while Pasco County reported one more and Orange County reported their first.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 10 September 2026)

Hong Kong: Mpox

10 September 2026

Hong Kong The Centre for Health Protection reports investigating two confirmed mpox (aka monkeypox) cases, and strongly urged high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccinations.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 10 September 2026)

Namibia: Malaria [Update]

10 September 2026

The Namibia Health and Social Services reports 122,612 confirmed malaria cases and 122 deaths since the beginning of 2026. The ministry has also recorded 9,956 hospital admissions linked to malaria, according to figures presented by Health Minister, Esperance Luvindao.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 8 September 2026)

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ebola Disease [Update]

10 September 2026

The response to the Ebola epidemic continues in six provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 61 health zones affected. According to the situation report of September 6, 2026, Ituri remains the main focus of the epidemic, while a new health zone has been affected in North Kivu.

To date, 6,686 cases have been confirmed across the country. Of these, 1,563 patients have recovered and 3,226 deaths have been recorded. Furthermore, 819 patients are currently in isolation or hospitalized. The case fatality rate stands at 48.3%, while contact tracing reaches 85.3%, according to response data.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 8 September 2026)

Philippines: Dengue Fever [Update]

10 September 2026

From the beginning of the year to August 29, 2026, 128,634 dengue cases were reported, a 39% decrease from 209,631 cases reported in the same period last year. Among the reported cases, 48,132 (37%) were confirmed, 16,874 (13%) were probable, and 63,628 (49%) were suspected.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 7 September 2026)

Philippines: Leptospirosis [Update]

10 September 2026

The outbreak of leptospirosis cases in Manila has reached the epidemic threshold, according to Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso on Monday morning.According to Manila Health Department (MHD) data, from a 1.27% attack rate last week, it has now reached 3.48%, indicating a rapid increase in cases within a short period.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 7 September 2026)

Italy: West Nile Virus Infection [Update]

10 September 2026

Since the start of surveillance and up to September 2, 2026, 521 confirmed cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in humans have been reported in Italy, up 89 cases in the past week.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 7 September 2026)