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

Tonga: Dengue Fever [Update]

30 April 2026

As of April 29, the Tonga Ministry of Health reports a total of 42 laboratory-confirmed dengue fever cases as dengue transmission continues in Tonga following the outbreak declaration earlier in April. The current situation is as follows: 42 confirmed cases with 1 new cases, 1 case currently hospitalized, most affected: ages 11–15 years and no deaths reported.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 29 April 2026)

Brazil: Dengue Fever, Chikungunya Fever and Zika Virus Infection [Update]

30 April 2026

As of April 28th, Minas Gerais registered 51,031 probable cases of dengue fever. Of this total, 19,105 cases were confirmed for the disease, and there are 32 deaths under investigation. To date, there are 12 confirmed deaths from dengue fever in the state.

Regarding Chikungunya Fever, 8,909 probable cases of the disease have been registered, of which 5,108 have been confirmed and two deaths are under investigation. To date, there is one confirmed death from the disease in the state.

Regarding the Zika virus, to date there are 40 probable cases and eight confirmed cases of the disease in the state. So far, there are no confirmed or suspected deaths.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 28 April 2026)

Vietnam: Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease [Update]

30 April 2026

In a follow-up on the Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in Vietnam, as of April 15th, 2026, the country had recorded over 34,000 cases, including 8 deaths.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 27 April 2026)

Mexico: Rickettsial Disease [Update]

30 April 2026

Officials in the northwestern Mexican state of Baja California report an unusual increase in rickettsia cases in 2026. The state's health secretary, José Adrián Medina Amarillas said, “Unusually, so far this year we have 15 positive cases, of which unfortunately six have died, and this has us very worried”.

(Source: Outbreak News Today 27 April 2026)

Japan: Measles [Update]

29 April 2026

Japan has reported 362 confirmed measles cases as of 22 April 2026, a 336% increase over the same period in 2025. Tokyo leads with 153 cases, followed by Kanagawa (36) and Kagoshima (34).

(Source: Outbreak News Today 28 April 2026)