DH reminds public to be vigilant about infectious diseases when travelling during summer holidays
As the summer holidays are approaching, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 27) reminded members of the public planning to travel outside Hong Kong to visit the DH's Travel Health Service webpage before departure to learn about the infectious disease situations in other regions and take appropriate precautions. They should also pay attention to personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times, and ensure they have received necessary vaccinations in advance to prevent various common or travel-related infectious diseases.
Measles
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Measles outbreaks have persisted in many regions around the world since last year. North America (including the United States, Canada and Mexico) and Southeast Asia (including Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines) have experienced ongoing measles outbreaks due to low vaccination coverage in recent years. Over 2 100 cases have been recorded in the United States so far this year, a figure significantly higher than the same period last year. In Europe, the number of measles cases in the United Kingdom and Spain has increased this year, with 736 and 136 cases recorded respectively since January. In Asia, the incidence rate of measles remains at a high level in the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Cambodia. Japan has also seen a significant rise in cases this year, with 529 cases recorded as of June 17, surpassing last year's total of 265 cases and marking the highest record since 2019. Singapore and Australia have reported 39 and 106 measles cases respectively this year, which are also higher than the same period last year. Most of the overseas cases involved individuals who were not vaccinated against measles or had an unknown vaccination status, highlighting the importance of maintaining a high vaccination rate and herd immunity within the community.
Anyone planning to travel to regions experiencing measles outbreaks or where measles is prevalent should check their vaccination records and medical history well in advance. Those who have never been diagnosed with measles through laboratory tests and who have not received two doses of the measles vaccine, or who are unsure whether they have received two doses, should consult a doctor about vaccination at least two weeks before departure. Pregnant women and women preparing for pregnancy who are not immune to measles or rubella, as well as children under one year old, 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 destinations experiencing measles or rubella outbreaks.
The incubation period of measles is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If travellers returning from places with a high incidence or outbreaks of measles develop symptoms of measles, they should wear a surgical mask, stay home from work or school, avoid crowded places and avoid contact with people without immunity, especially those with weak immune systems, pregnant women and children under one year old, and seek medical advice immediately.
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)
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HFMD is a common disease in children caused by enteroviruses such as Coxsackie viruses. Since this May, there has been a seasonal increase in the activity of HFMD in neighbouring regions, including Guangdong Province of the Chinese Mainland, Japan and Korea.
Most HFMD patients have mild symptoms. The initial stage of the illness is usually marked by a fever, poor appetite, tiredness and sore throat. One to two days after the onset of fever, painful sores may appear in the mouth, which then develop into ulcers. Patients generally recover on their own in seven to 10 days.
To prevent HFMD, members of the public should keep hands clean and wash their hands properly. Wash hands before meals, after using the toilet, when hands are soiled by respiratory secretions (such as after sneezing) or after handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials. It is also important to cover the mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, and to dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly. As alcohol is not effective in killing some viruses that cause HFMD, alcohol-based handrub should not substitute hand hygiene with liquid soap and water.
Mosquito-borne diseases
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Mosquito-borne diseases continue to spread in many regions worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of dengue fever (DF) has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2024 and 2025 (January to July), the WHO recorded over 14 million cases and 4 million cases respectively. DF is prevalent in many neighbouring tropical and sub-tropical tourist destinations, particularly in Southeast Asian countries. Last year, Indonesia and Vietnam each recorded over 120000 cases, while Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka each recorded over 50000 cases. Singapore recorded more than 4000 cases.
Regarding chikungunya fever (CF), more than 40 countries and regions worldwide, including those in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe, recorded a total of at least 500 000 CF cases and 186 associated deaths in 2025. According to the WHO's risk assessment, as there were ongoing CF outbreaks worldwide in 2025, the risk to the global public health posed by the transmission of CF is moderate.
Hong Kong has recorded a total of 23 DF cases (comprising 21 imported cases and two local cases) and two imported CF cases so far this year.
To prevent mosquito-borne diseases when travelling abroad, the public should wear loose, light-coloured and long-sleeved tops and trousers, and apply DEET-containing insect repellent to exposed parts of the body and clothing. If both insect repellent and sunscreen are used, apply insect repellent after sunscreen, and avoid using fragrant cosmetics or skin care products. Members of the public planning to travel outside Hong Kong should be aware of the mosquito-borne disease situation at their destination and take proper mosquito prevention measures. Upon returning to Hong Kong from affected areas, they should continue to use insect repellent for at least 14days after arrival.
Ebola disease
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The WHO announced on May 17 this year that an Ebola disease outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus had occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda in Africa, which constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. On the same day, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government activated the Alert Response Level, the lowest under the three-tiered response in the Preparedness and Response Plan for Ebola Virus Disease, to safeguard public health. Based on public health considerations, the HKSAR Government also issued a Red Outbound Travel Alert for the DRC on May 21 and urged Hong Kong residents to avoid non-essential travel there.
The outbreak in the DRC continues to grow in scale, affecting the rovinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. As of June 23, the DRC has recorded 1 094 confirmed cases and 277 deaths. There are currently no approved and specific therapeutics or vaccines for the Bundibugyo virus. In addition, local conflicts have led to large-scale population movements, which increase the risk of the outbreak spreading.
To prevent Ebola disease, the public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times when travelling abroad. They should wash their hands with liquid soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub before touching their eyes, nose or mouth; avoid contact with animals and people showing symptoms; and ensure that food is thoroughly cooked before consumption. Members of the public who have visited the affected areas should, upon arrival in Hong Kong, proactively declare their travel history to the Port Health Division officers of the CHP stationed at the boundary control points to facilitate a health assessment. If any suspicious symptoms develop after returning to Hong Kong, they should seek medical attention immediately and inform the doctor of their travel history.
For more information on infectious disease outbreaks and preventive measures around the world, please visit the DH's Travel Health Service webpage.
Department of Health, Photo source: reference image
