DH adjusts prevention and control measures against Nipah virus and reminds travellers to remain vigilant and take preventive measures against communicable diseases
In response to the World Health Organization (WHO)'s latest risk assessment indicating that Nipah virus poses a low risk at the global level, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (February 26) that additional health screenings for passengers arriving from India at the airport will be suspended starting from tomorrow (February 27). The CHP also reminded individuals planning outbound travel to stay informed about the epidemic situation at their destination and to take appropriate preventive measures to safeguard their health. In accordance with the regular mechanism, the CHP will continue to implement various preventive measures at boundary control points to prevent infectious diseases from being imported into Hong Kong.
Nipah virus
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Two confirmed cases of Nipah virus infection, with onset in late December last year, were reported in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, in January. The CHP immediately sought further information from the WHO and Indian health authorities in a proactive manner. As a precautionary measure, the CHP also implemented additional health screenings for passengers arriving from India at the airport. These screening enabled prompt medical assessments of symptomatic travellers. Suspected cases with potential public health implications were referred to hospitals for examination. No suspected infected travellers have been identified under the above arrangements, and Hong Kong has not recorded any imported or local cases of Nipah virus infection to date.
According to the WHO, the Indian health authorities identified and tested over 190 close contacts. All samples from contact persons tested negative for Nipah virus. No further cases have been detected so far. The WHO noted that enhanced surveillance and infection prevention and control measures are in place in India. The risk posed by Nipah virus is low at the national, the regional and global levels.
Nipah virus infection is an emerging zoonotic disease. Fruit bats are the natural host for the virus. The virus is mainly transmitted through direct contact with sick animals via their contaminated respiratory droplets, nasal secretions and tissues. It can also be transmitted via consuming food contaminated with urine, droppings or saliva from infected bats, usually fruits or fruit products (particularly raw date palm sap). Human-to-human transmission is also possible through close contact with contaminated secretions and excretions of infected persons. Such transmission has been reported in patients' household and healthcare settings. Members of the public may visit the CHP's webpage for more information on Nipah virus.
Norovirus
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Norovirus activity in neighbouring areas, including Japan and Korea, has been increasing since late last year. In Korea, norovirus activity has even surpassed levels seen during the same period over the past decade. Norovirus can cause acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and is a common cause of food poisoning. It can also trigger AGE outbreaks in crowded places such as schools, elderly care facilities, hotels, amusement parks, and cruise ships. Generally, norovirus is more active in winter (around December to March). As norovirus is highly contagious, individuals may become infected after being exposed to even a small amount of norovirus. The virus can be transmitted through various means, such as eating contaminated food, contact with the vomit or excreta of infected persons, and contact with contaminated objects.
To prevent norovirus infection, apart from maintaining personal hygiene, all food should also be thoroughly washed and cooked before consumption. Before handling food or eating, and after using the toilet, members of the public should wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds, then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel or hand dryer. Since alcohol is not effective in killing the norovirus, alcohol-based handrubs are not a substitute for handwashing with soap and water.
Mosquito-borne diseases
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Seven dengue fever (DF) cases have been recorded in Hong Kong so far this year. All of them were imported cases. The patients had travelled to the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam during the incubation period. In addition, Hong Kong has recorded two confirmed chikungunya fever (CF) cases imported from the Seychelles so far this year.
DF remains prevalent across numerous neighbouring tourist destinations. Last year, Indonesia, India and Vietnam each recorded over 120 000 cases; Malaysia and Thailand each recorded over 50 000 cases; and Singapore recorded over 4 000 cases. Meanwhile, the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention recorded over 3 500 locally infected cases in Guangdong Province in 2025.
Regarding CF, from the beginning of 2025 to December 10, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 related deaths were reported in over 40 countries/regions. Cases were distributed across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Although the northern hemisphere is currently in the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. The public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. To prevent mosquito-borne diseases, travellers should wear loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers, and apply insect repellent containing DEET to exposed parts of the body and clothing. Travellers returning from areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong.
Measles
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North America (including the United States, Canada and Mexico) and Southeast Asia (including Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines) have experienced persistent measles outbreaks in recent years due to low vaccination coverage rates. The measles outbreak in the United States has worsened, with approximately 1 000 cases recorded so far this year, significantly higher than the same period last year. In Europe, the number of measles cases in the United Kingdom and Italy have increased recently, with 130 and 84 cases recorded respectively since January this year. Furthermore, Japan has experienced a notable rise in measles cases, recording 43 cases as of February 18, compared to only three cases during the same period last year. Singapore and Australia have recorded 15 and 51 measles cases respectively this year, up from two and 21 cases during the same period last year. Most overseas cases mainly affected people who were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. This shows the importance of maintaining a high vaccination rate and herd immunity within the community.
Pregnant women and women preparing for pregnancy who are not immune to measles or rubella, as well as children aged under 1 year who are not due for the first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella-combined vaccine under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme, are advised not to travel to places with outbreaks of measles. The incubation period of measles is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If such symptoms appear after returning from measles-endemic areas, people should wear surgical masks, stay home from work or school, avoid crowded places and contact with unvaccinated people, especially those with weak immune systems, pregnant women and children under 1 year old, and should consult their doctors as soon as possible.
The CHP will continue to closely monitor the latest notifications and recommendations from the WHO regarding public health events worldwide, and implement appropriate prevention and control measures based on risk assessments to safeguard public health and the well-being of citizens. Before travelling, members of the public may visit the DH's Travel Health Service webpage for further health information and advice.
The Department of Health (DH), Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
