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: Equine Encephalitis

20 August 2026

Michigan state health officials of the USA report the confirmation of a locally acquired case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in a Roscommon County resident.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 20 August 2026)

USA: Naegleria fowleri

20 August 2026

Louisiana state health officials of the USA report a confirmed Naegleria fowleri infection in a Louisiana resident. The resident most likely acquired the infection while swimming in Lake Claiborne, located in Claiborne Parish, shortly before illness.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 20 August 2026)

Myanmar: Cholera

20 August 2026

Health authorities in Myanmar report a cholera outbreak in the most populous city of Yangon. Since August 9, 500 people have been hospitalized for severe diarrhea, with 149 people testing positive for cholera using rapid tests. Nine cases have been formally confirmed as Vibrio cholerae by the National Health Laboratory, according to officials.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 19 August 2026)

Philippines: Leptospirosis [Update]

20 August 2026

The Manila City Health Department of Philippines reports 156 leptospirosis cases since the beginning of the year, and the concerns are heightened as persistent rains brought by the southwest monsoon create flooding.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 19 August 2026)

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ebola Disease [Update]

20 August 2026

The number of confirmed Ebola Disease cases reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the outbreak started in May has eclipsed the 5,000 mark with 5,021, in six provinces and 55 health zones, according to the World Health Organization. 2,378 confirmed deaths were also reported.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 19 August 2026)

Greece: West Nile Virus Infection [Update]

20 August 2026

According to the National Public Health Organization (EODY) of Greece, since the beginning of the 2026 period, until August 12, a total of one hundred and ten (110) domestic cases of West Nile virus infection have been diagnosed and reported in Greece.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 18 August 2026)

Philippines: Dengue fever [Update]

20 August 2026

Zamboanga City of Philippines is facing a Dengue Fever outbreak, where the number of cases continues to rise, reaching 1,609 as of August 8, 2026. According to the local government, the death toll from the mosquito-borne disease remains at 12.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 18 August 2026)

Canada: Legionnaires' disease

20 August 2026

Toronto health officials of Canada report investigating an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in an approximately one-kilometre radius of the intersection of Bathurst Street and Dupont Street. To date, six confirmed cases have been identified among people who live, work or have visited the area.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 18 August 2026)