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In view of the recent increase in dengue fever (DF) activity in neighbouring areas, a spokesman of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 23) urged members of the public to take precautions against the disease while they travel.
As of September 22, there were 6 089 cases of DF in Guangdong of which 5 190 were from Guangzhou. The number of cases in Taiwan as of September 22 was 2 589, which was around three times the total number of cases (860 cases) in 2013. There have been 999 cases reported so far in September and 959 are from Kaohsiung.
According to relevant health authorities, Singapore has recorded a total of 15 136 DF cases so far this year. In Malaysia, the number of cases was 70 337 as of September 6 while the number of cases in Thailand was 23 941 as of September 15. As of August 16, the cumulative number of reported cases in Philippines was 45 591.
Locally, as of September 22, 66 confirmed cases of DF had been notified to the CHP. These cases were all imported from various places including Indonesia (23 cases), Thailand (15 cases), Malaysia (six cases), the Philippines (four cases), Sri Lanka (three cases), India (two cases), the Mainland (one case), Timor-Leste (one case) and the Maldives (one case), as well as 10 cases in which the patients had travelled to multiple places during the incubation period.
"DF is an endemic disease in most Southeast Asian countries. Members of the public travelling to these places are advised to protect themselves against mosquitoes all year round," the spokesman remarked.
At present, no effective vaccine for DF is available. Therefore, the best preventive measure is to eliminate pockets of stagnant water that serve as breeding sites for mosquitoes, and to avoid mosquito bites.
The spokesman urged travellers to take the following preventive measures against DF:
* Wear loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers;
* Use DEET-containing insect repellent on exposed parts of the body and clothing; and
* Use mosquito screens or nets in rooms that are not air-conditioned.
Anyone feeling unwell after returning from a trip should seek medical advice as soon as possible and provide travel details to their doctor.
The latest information on DF in other places can be found under "Travel Health News" on the Hong Kong Travel Health Service website at www.travelhealth.gov.hk/eindex.html.¡@
Travel agents, tour guides and travellers can visit the website for the latest news and advice on preventive measures.
Ends/Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:01
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