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The Department of Health (DH) today (January 19) reminds travellers from Hong Kong during the coming festive season the need to adopt measures to protect their own health.
A spokesman for the DH says, "Many people here will spend their Lunar New Year holiday outside Hong Kong. From a public health point of view, they need to be aware that each destination may pose health challenges unique to its locality and our travellers must be smart enough to prepare themselves in this regard as well."
"Indeed, it will be critical to possess the travel health knowledge appropriate for the chosen destination and have the relevant preventive measures, including vaccinations and medications, ready before embarking on the trip", the spokesman stresses.
"To cite some commonly encountered threats, mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and malaria occur throughout Asia. Yellow fever is endemic in Central Africa and South America," the spokesman quotes.
Opportunity is taken to remind travellers to take the following active measures to prevent against mosquito-borne diseases:
* Wear light-coloured long sleeved clothing so as to cover the arms and legs, especially when in the outdoor;
* Apply insect repellents containing e.g. DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) to exposed skin; and
* Stay in air-conditioned rooms or use bed-nets for added protection.
Turning to food hygiene, the spokesman elaborates that contaminated water and foods can lead to travellers' diarrhoea, hepatitis A and typhoid fever. Travellers should observe the following measures to ensure good personal and food hygiene:
* Take only thoroughly cooked foods or foods from sealed packs or cans kept within the correct temperature range within their shelf life;
* Drink only boiled water, canned or bottled drinks, pasteurised milk or dairy products, and clean the bottle mouth before drinking from bottles;
* Be very careful when choosing cold dishes such as cold cuts, salads, etc and also drinks and foods with ice;
* Do not eat fruits that have not been thoroughly cleansed, peeled or cut; and
* Always observe good personal hygiene, wash hands before eating and after going to toilet.
The spokesman further advises that travellers going to destinations with extreme weather, especially the elderly and people with chronic medical conditions like airway and heart diseases, that they ought to be aware that such may trigger acute on chronic attacks. He urges that:
(a) in extreme hot weather
* Wear light-coloured loose clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
* Do not engage in prolonged activities such as hiking or trekking; and
* Consider wearing long sleeved clothing made from close woven fabric, a wide-brim hat or using an umbrella, seeking shade, putting on UV blocking sun-glasses and applying sunscreen with a protection factor of 15 or above to protect against sun burn;
(b) in extreme cold weather
* Take note of the weather forecast. Wear appropriately warm clothing, including hats, scarves, gloves and socks;
* Consume sufficient foods and drinks with high calorie contents, e.g. hot soup, hot rice and noodles;
* Perform regular exercise to facilitate circulation and production of heat; and
* Avoid alcoholic beverages.
Recently, there were cases of avian influenza infections reported in a number of countries, with human involvement also documented in a few. The spokesman alerts travellers to remain vigilant and to adopt the following precautions:
* Avoid direct contact with poultry and birds or their droppings; if contact is made, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water;
* Cook poultry and eggs thoroughly before eating;
* Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with tissue and put it into a covered dustbin;
* Avoid crowded places and contact with sick people; and
* Wear a mask when you have respiratory symptoms or need to take care of patients with fever.
The spokesman also cautions the public to seek healthcare workers' advice regarding travel medication safety.
"Over the years, DH has received many reports of adverse drug reactions following consumption of drugs or health products purchased outside Hong Kong. Some of these products, especially analgesics, slimming products and virility products were found to be adulterated with western medicines, some of which are actually banned items in Hong Kong," the spokesman reveals.
"It is also important to seek healthcare advice on return should you fall sick and please remember to report your travel history as this may facilitate early diagnosis and hence treatment," the spokesman adds.
For more information on travel health advice, the spokesman refers travellers to browse the Department of Health Travel Health Services' homepage at www.travelhealth.gov.hk/eindex.html
Ends/Thursday, January 19, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:25
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