Safe travels include getting jabs for infectious diseases

Hongkongers are strongly encouraged by the Hong Kong Society for Immunisations and Travel Medicine to get vaccinated before embarking on overseas holidays.

Recent incidents have highlighted the risks of contracting infectious diseases while traveling abroad, which can lead to hospitalization and even death.

A survey conducted by the society in Mong Kok revealed that less than one percent of the 189 respondents sought travel medicine advice. This indicates that Hongkongers tend to underestimate the importance of travel medicine consultation and risk assessment when preparing for their journeys.

Travelers can be exposed to various infections caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites and other pathogens. These infections can be transmitted through contaminated water, sexual contact, contaminated blood and bodily fluids, as well as contact with animals or bites from mosquitoes, insects and fleas.

Alex Leung Ka-wai, president of the society, said: "The key lies in Hongkongers' awareness of the local infectious disease situation at their travel destinations and whether they have taken sufficient preventive measures."

These measures include receiving targeted vaccines, preventing mosquito bites, understanding local health and disease information and ensuring travel and food safety.

To facilitate these preventive measures, the society recommends that individuals visit the Department of Health-operated Travel Health Centers in Wan Chai and Cheung Sha Wan two to four weeks before their departure. During these visits, they can receive personal health protection information and specified vaccines.

Dennis Fong Chan-kwai, vice president of the society, said: "Vaccination can effectively prevent more than 10 infectious diseases that travelers may encounter, including cholera, diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, influenza, Japanese encephalitis, malaria, meningococcal infection, poliomyelitis, rabies, tetanus, typhoid fever and yellow fever."

Fong added that although popular destinations among Hongkongers, such as mainland China, Japan, Southeast Asia, South Korea and Taiwan, may be deemed safe, they are not entirely risk-free. "For instance, dengue fever is prevalent in Southeast Asia, Taiwan and the mainland, while tick-borne encephalitis is common in the mainland and Japan."

adelyn.lau@singtaonewscorp.com