Malaria, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and yellow fever are diseases
transmitted through mosquito bites. Malaria is common in many parts of the tropics and subtropics. Dengue fever is present in South East Asia, South Asia, the Pacific area, Africa and Central America. Japanese encephalitis occurs in most of East Asia and South East Asia. Yellow fever can be found in Central Africa and South America. Travellers may consult their doctors or call the Port Health Office for advice before visiting these areas. Anyone who develops fever after travelling abroad should see a doctor, stating the areas he/she had visited.
Disease: Malaria
Incubation Period: 7-30 days usually
Symptoms: intermittent fever, chills, headache, profuse sweating
Dangers: Anaemia, damage to liver, kidneys and brain
Disease: Dengue fever
Incubation Period: 3-14 days
Symptoms: fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, skin rash
Dangers: bleeding, shock
Disease: Japanese encephalitis
Incubation Period: 5-15days
Symptoms: fever, headache, vomiting
Dangers: convulsion, brain damage
Disease: Yellow fever
Incubation Period: 3-6 days
Symptoms: fever, chills, headache, generalised muscle pain, nausea, vomiting
Dangers: bleeding, liver damage
General preventive measures
* Wear long-sleeved clothes and long trousers when going out at night.
* Apply insect repellent over the exposed parts of the body to prevent mosquito bites.
* Use mosquite screens or nets when the room is not air-conditioned.
Special preventive measures
* The chance of getting malaria may be reduced by preventive medication.
Please consult your doctor or call the Port Health Office for advice.
* Yellow fever can be prevented by vaccination. Service for yellow fever vaccination is avaliable at a fee in the Vaccination Centres of Port Health Office.
The vaccination is effective for 10 years.
* Japanese encephalitis can also be prevented by vaccination. Please consult private doctors for vaccination.
Port Health Office
1. Port Health Travel Health Centre(HK)
18/F, Wu Chung House 213 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel:2961 8840
2. Port Health Travel Health Centre(Kln)
1/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road Kowloon
Tel:2150 7235
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