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In view of recent cases of Japanese encephalitis (JE) in Shanxi province, the Department of Health today (August 14) reminded travellers to take precautionary measures to prevent infection when visiting affected areas.
A CHP spokesman said JE was transmitted via the bite of an infective mosquito, and was not transmitted from person to person. Travellers to JE endemic areas are advised to take the following precautionary measures:
* Wear long sleeved clothes and trousers;
* Use insect repellent over exposed parts of the body when outdoors; and
* Use mosquito screens or nets when the room is not air-conditioned.
* Consult doctors for JE vaccination if they plan to stay one month or longer in endemic areas, particularly in the rural areas.
The spokesman said the department's Centre for Health Protection had contacted the Ministry of Health to obtain more information about the situation on the Mainland, particularly Shanxi.
He said travellers who fell sick after returning from endemic areas should consult doctors promptly and give details of their travel history. The incubation period is from about four to 14 days. Symptoms include headache, fever, nausea and vomiting.
JE is transmitted by Culicine mosquitoes living mainly in rural areas. The mosquitoes breed in water-logged fields and marshes.
Details of the preventive measures against JE are available from CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk).
For latest information on infectious disease outbreaks in various parts of the world and preventive measures against travel-related illnesses, members of the public may visit the department's Travel Health Service Website http://www.travelhealth.gov.hk.
Travellers can make use of the service including one-stop travel-related advice, vaccinations and prescription of preventive medications. Details are available in the website and appointment can be made by telephoning the Hong Kong Travel Health Centre at 2961 8840 or Kowloon Travel Health Centre at 2150 7235.
Ends/Monday, August 14, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:32
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