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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (February 6) closely monitoring the latest epidemiological update on Zika virus by the World Health Organization (WHO), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of health risks of the places of visit.
Globally, Zika Virus Infection has been emerging and outbreaks have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. Ongoing transmission of Zika has expanded rapidly in the Americas since 2015.
According to the latest Zika situation report by the WHO, a total of 33 countries have reported autochthonous circulation of Zika virus. These countries include Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, the Republic of Cape Verde, Colombia, Curacao, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Maldives, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Saint-Martin, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Vanuatu and Venezuela.
In addition, there is also indirect evidence of local transmission in six additional countries. They are Gabon, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines and Malaysia.
Locally, no human cases have been reported to the CHP to date. Yet, as long as there is international travel, there is always risk of introduction of Zika virus to Hong Kong. As asymptomatic infection is very common and the potential vector, Aedes albopictus, is present locally, there is also risk of local spread in case Zika is introduced to Hong Kong.
To prevent Zika Virus Infection, in addition to general anti-mosquito measures, the DH again urged that:
* If going to areas with ongoing Zika transmission (affected areas), travellers, especially those with immune disorders or severe chronic illnesses, should arrange consultation with a doctor at least six weeks before the trip, and take extra preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites;
* Those arriving from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival. If feeling unwell, e.g. having fever, they should seek medical advice as soon as possible, and provide travel details to a doctor;
* Pregnant women and those preparing for pregnancy should consider deferring their trip to affected areas. Those who must travel should seek medical advice from their doctor before the trip, adopt contraception if appropriate, strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip, and consult and reveal their travel history to their doctor if symptoms develop after the trip. Women preparing for pregnancy are advised to continue to adopt contraception for 28 days after returning from these areas; and
* If a female partner is at risk of getting pregnant or is already pregnant, condom use is advised for a male traveller:
(i) for 28 days after his return from affected areas if he had no symptoms of unexplained fever and rash; or
(ii) for six months following recovery if a clinical illness compatible with Zika or laboratory confirmed Zika Virus Infection was reported.
The public may visit the DH's pages below for more disease information and health advice:
* The Zika Virus Infection page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/43086.html);
* The Travel Health News (www.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/outbreaknews/outbreaknews.html); and
* Anti-mosquito precautions for women (www.fhs.gov.hk/english/health_info/woman/30014.html).
Ends/Saturday, February 6, 2016
Issued at HKT 21:51
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