China CDC issues health advice for week-long holiday

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) on Tuesday issued health advice for travelers as the country's week-long National Day holiday kicked off.

The China CDC said that the most common diseases reported in recent days are hand-foot-and-mouth disease, infectious diarrhea, epidemic parotitis, dengue fever, epidemic encephalitis B, and influenza.

According to the World Health Organization and CDCs in the European Union and the United States, major illnesses currently reported abroad include Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, bird flu and West Nile Virus infections.

The WHO has not issued any travel advisories for these outbreaks so far, said the China CDC, which suggested that travellers consult with the destination countries to learn about risks and get vaccinated.

The dengue situation is serious in parts of the southern provinces of Guangdong and Yunnan, as well as in Southeast Asian countries, said the China CDC, calling on travellers to prevent mosquito bites.

The China CDC reminded travellers to be mindful of food and water safety during their travels and to avoid over-crowded places and contact with live poultry and animals.