Current Travel Health News
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
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Measles [Update]
27 April 2026
According to the provincial health division in South Kivu, a total of 10,065 cases of
measles have been reported in
South Kivu province since the beginning of 2026, in just under four months.
Bangladesh: Measles [Update]
27 April 2026
In a follow-up on the
measles outbreak in
Bangladesh since March 15, 2026, the total number of suspected infections rose to 30,607, including 4,460 confirmed measles cases, according to the Directorate General of Health Services.
USA: Mpox [Update]
27 April 2026
Washoe County health officials report the first
mpox cases (2) in over three years late last week. These are the first cases reported in the county since October 2022.
USA: Salmonella
27 April 2026
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and public health officials of
USA in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of
Salmonella illnesses linked to contact with backyard poultry. As of April 13, 2026, a total of 34 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Saintpaul have been reported from 13 states.
Brazil: Chikungunya Fever [Update]
27 April 2026
In a follow-up on the
chikungunya outbreak in the central-west
Brazil state of Mato Grosso do Sul, state officials have already registered 7,599 probable cases of chikungunya, with 3,490 confirmed in Information System for Notifiable Diseases, through the Epi week 15 in 2026, as published in the bulletin.
Mexico: Measles [Update]
27 April 2026
Mexico has accumulated 16,579 confirmed cases of
measles from Epidemiological Week 1 of 2025 through EW 16 of 2026, in addition to 36 deaths associated with complications stemming from the disease. Transmission is now being recorded across all 32 federal entities, with active presence in 477 municipalities. The Mexico Ministry of Health reports as of April 24, 10,002 confirmed measles cases since the beginning of the year.
Tonga: Dengue Fever [Update]
27 April 2026
In a follow-up on the
dengue fever situation in the South Pacific sovereign archipelago nation of
Tonga, the Ministry of Health reports an increase in confirmed and suspected cases and evidence of community transmission across Tongatapu, Ha'apai and 'Eua.
As of 20 April 2026, 24 laboratory‑confirmed cases have been reported.
New Caledonia: Dengue Fever [Update]
27 April 2026
As of April 23, 2026,
dengue transmission in
New Caledonia remains ongoing, with 1,076 cumulative cases reported since the beginning of the year, reflecting a continued increase in notifications since February and sustaining the epidemic phase.
USA: Measles [Update]
27 April 2026
Maryland health officials report two cases of
measles in Maryland residents of the Baltimore metro area who recently traveled to an area in the U.S. with active measles transmission.
Colombia: Chagas disease
27 April 2026
Health authorities in the north-central
Colombian department of Santander issued an alert after confirming 27 cases of
Chagas disease so far this year, a sign that demonstrates the persistence of this public health problem in the department.
South Korea: Vibrio vulnificus Infection
27 April 2026
The
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency urged special caution to prevent Vibrio septicemia, as the first case of
Vibrio septicemia this year occurred on Thursday.
South Korea: Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome
27 April 2026
France: Measles [Update]
27 April 2026
Since January 1, 2026, 44 cases of
measles have been reported in
France, including 14 new cases in March. The number of cases reported during the first quarter of the year is therefore significantly lower than that observed in 2025 (341 cases).
Denmark: Mpox
27 April 2026
Denmark health officials confirmed the first case of the
mpox variant clade 1b in the country, according to Statens Serum Institut senior physician and department head Uffe Vest Schneider. The infection is believed to have occurred through sexual contact abroad.
Cambodia: Avian Influenza (H5N1)
23 April 2026
A 66-year-old woman in
Svay Rieng province,
Cambodia, has been confirmed as the country's fourth human
avian influenza (H5N1) case in 2026, after exposure to sick and dead chickens. The patient is hospitalised and receiving intensive care.
Hong Kong: Dengue Fever
23 April 2026
Hong Kong has reported its first locally acquired
dengue fever case of 2026 — a 21-year-old male who developed symptoms on 12 April, likely bitten by mosquitoes near his workplace in
Penny's Bay,
Lantau Island, with no travel history during the incubation period.
French Guiana: Chikungunya Fever
23 April 2026
French Guiana has reported 108 confirmed
chikungunya fever cases since the first locally acquired case on 26 January 2026, with 30 hospitalisations. The west coastal sector accounts for 82% of cases, with the outbreak showing expanding geographical spread.
USA: Chikungunya Fever
23 April 2026
Florida,
USA, has recorded 32 travel-associated
chikungunya fever cases in 2026, with 31 linked to travel from
Cuba and one from
Brazil.
Hillsborough County reported two new cases in the past week, while
Miami-Dade County accounts for the most cases (17).
Japan: Measles [Update]
23 April 2026
Japan reported 56 additional
measles cases in the past week, bringing the 2026 total to 299 — a 283% increase over the same period in 2025.
Tokyo leads with 108 cases, followed by
Kanagawa (31) and
Kagoshima (28).
Bangladesh: Measles [Update]
23 April 2026
Bangladesh has reported over 20,000 suspected
measles cases and more than 200 deaths since the outbreak began on 15 March 2026, affecting 58 of 64 districts. An emergency vaccination campaign has reached over 943,000 children.
Philippines: Measles [Update]
23 April 2026
Quezon City,
Philippines, has reported 143
measles cases including one death from January to 16 April 2026, with 76% of cases in children aged 10 and under. Nationally, the
Philippines recorded 1,627 cases through 21 March, a 45% increase over the same period in 2025.
Argentina: Chikungunya Fever [Update]
23 April 2026
Argentina reported 268 new
chikungunya fever cases in the week ending 11 April, bringing the 2026 total to 837 cases with 746 locally acquired. The northwest region accounts for 93% of cases, with
Salta province most affected (494 cases).
Kenya: Anthrax [Update]
23 April 2026
Vihiga County, western
Kenya, has reported two human
anthrax cases, including one death, following the handling and consumption of meat from a cow that died suddenly on 7 April 2026. Rapid response teams have been activated.
Bolivia: Yellow Fever [Update]
23 April 2026
Bolivia has declared a health alert in
Santa Cruz department after confirming a
yellow fever death — a 20-year-old male in
Cordillera province — along with one additional confirmed case and one suspected case. A mass vaccination campaign has been initiated.
USA: Mpox [Update]
23 April 2026
San Francisco,
USA, has confirmed its first clade I
mpox case — an unvaccinated adult who had close contact with a person who had recently travelled internationally. The patient has been hospitalised and is improving.