Riverwalk Medical Clinic ● Health Information for Travelers ● Spring
Health Risks and Precautions for International
The number of people traveling internationally increases every year. International arrivals in the year
2010 reached 1 billion, with arrivals expected to reach 1.6 billion by 2020. Over half the arrivals were for
leisure and holidays, with business, religious pilgrimages, and family visits cited as other major reasons
International travel can pose serious health risks to travelers, depending on the destination country, the
nature and characteristics of the trip, and the traveler’s physical condition and overall health. Travelers
might be exposed to sudden and significant changes in altitude, humidity, microbes, and temperature. Al-
so, serious health risks can arise in areas where clean water is unavailable, sanitation and hygiene are in-
adequate, and medical services are not well-developed.
All people planning travel should know about the potential hazards of the countries they are trav-
eling to and learn how to minimize their risk of acquiring these diseases. Forward planning, ap-
propriate preventive measures, and careful precautions can substantially reduce the risks of ad-
verse health consequences.
The medical profession and the travel industry are an important source of help and advice for travelers,
but it is the responsibility of the traveler to seek out information on travel-related risks, understand the
factors involved, and take the necessary precautions.
The key factors in determining the risks to which travelers may be exposed are:
mode of transportation
purpose, duration, and season of travel
standards of accommodation and food hygiene
behavior of the traveler
health of the traveler
Destinations where accommodation, hygiene, sanitation, medical care, and water quality are of a high
standard pose relatively few serious risks for the health of travelers, unless there is pre-existing illness.
This also applies to travelers visiting most major cities and tourist centers and staying in quality accom-
modations, such as a conference center or a resort.
In contrast, destinations where accommodation is of poor quality, hygiene and sanitation are inadequate,
medical services do not exist, and clean water is unavailable may pose serious risks for the health of trav-
elers. Exposure to insects, infectious agents, and contaminated food and water, makes travel in many re-
mote regions particularly hazardous. Tourists who venture into remote areas should take stringent precau-
tions to avoid illness, including receiving vaccinations and taking antimalarial medications.
The purpose, season, and duration of the visit, the mode of transportation, and the behavior and lifestyle
of the traveler are also important in determining the likelihood of exposure to infectious agents. The over-
all health of the traveler is also a critical consideration.
Medical Consultation Before Travel
Travelers intending to visit a destination in a developing country should consult a travel medicine clinic
or a physician at least 4-8 weeks before the journey, and preferably earlier for long-term travel or travel to
remote areas. Last minute travelers should also consult a clinic or physician.
A medical consultation is needed to determine the need for vaccinations and antimalarial medication, as
well as any other medication the traveler may require. Medical advisors base their recommendations on
an assessment of risk for the individual traveler as well as any associated public health.
Malaria: A Serious Health Risk for Travelers
Each year an estimated 8 million North Americans travel to countries where malaria is common. Trans-
mitted by the bite of an infected mosquito, malaria is a serious and potentially fatal infectious disease that
is characterized by headaches, fever, chills, and sweating.
Malaria occurs mostly in poor tropical and subtropical areas of the world. In many of the coun-
tries affected by malaria, it is a leading cause of illness and death. In areas with high transmis-
sion, the most vulnerable groups are young children, who have not developed immunity to malar-
ia yet, and pregnant women, whose immunity has been decreased by pregnancy. (Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention)
According to the Centers for Disease Control, malaria can usually be prevented if travelers to tropical and
subtropical regions follow these preventive steps:
First, inform yourself about the risk of acquiring malaria in the region of the world where you plan to
travel. Malaria exists throughout the tropics, but it is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria
hotspots change constantly, so check with a travel medicine specialist or the Centers for Disease Control
for the latest developments before you travel.
Second, take measures to prevent mosquito bites, particularly between dusk and dawn. Always sleep in a
well-screened room, preferably under a mosquito net that has been treated with insecticide. During the
evening, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and apply an insect repellent that contains DEET.
Finally, consult your physician or a travel medicine specialist several weeks prior to departure for advice
on taking antimalarial drugs. Prophylaxis drugs need to be taken continuously, beginning before travel
commences and continuing through up to four weeks after leaving malaria-endemic areas.
Even if you take antimalarial pills, it is still possible to get malaria, so seek medical treatment promptly if
you experience flu-like symptoms and are in or have recently visited an area where malaria is present. For
more information on malaria prevention and other travel health issues, check out the Centers for Disease
Control on the Internet at www.cdc.gov/travel.
3.3 billion people (half the world’s population) live in areas at risk for malaria transmission.
35 countries (30 in sub-Saharan Africa and 5 in Asia) account for 98% of global malaria deaths.
The World Health Organization estimates that in 2010, malaria caused 350-500 million clinical epi-
sodes of malaria.
An estimated 863,000 malaria deaths occur every year, most of them children.
Malaria is the fifth cause of death from infectious diseases worldwide (after respiratory infections,
HIV/AIDS, diarrheal diseases, and tuberculosis).
Malaria is the second leading cause of death from infectious diseases in Africa, after HIV/AIDS.
Source: (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Preventive Options for Serious Travel Health Issues
Medical Kit and Personal Items
Travelers should always carry a medical kit, particularly to destinations where there may be significant
health risks, including developing countries where local availability of medications cannot be guaranteed.
The medical kit should include basic medicines to treat common ailments, first aid items, and any other
special items, such as syringes and needles, that might be needed for a pre-existing medical condition. It
is also important to bring a signed statement from a physician certifying that the traveler requires specific
medication or items for a medical condition.
Travelers should also carry personal items in sufficient quantity for the length of the visit, unless their
availability is assured at the travel destination. Such items might include toothpaste, supplies and solu-
tions for contact lenses, skin care items, and other items for personal hygiene.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends travelers carry the following items for a
basic medical kit:
First aid items
Adhesive bandages, multiple sizes
Antibacterial hand wipes or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
Antifungal and antibacterial ointments
Anti-itch cream for insect bites and stings
Antiseptic wound cleanser
Elastic bandage wrap for sprains and strains
First aid quick reference card
Medication for pain or fever, such as Acetaminophen, Aspirin, or Ibuprofen
Moleskin for blisters
Oral rehydration salts
Saline eye drops
Scissors, safety pins, and tweezers
Other important items
The following items might be necessary depending on the destination, trip duration, and individual needs:
Antibiotic for self-treatment of diarrhea
Anti-motion sickness medication
Epinephrine auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) for severe allergic reactions
Extra pair of contacts or prescription glasses
Medication for high-altitude sickness
Medications taken on a regular basis at home
Mild sleep aid or anti-anxiety medication
Sterile syringes and needles
Water purification tablets
Travelers should carry the name and contact details for their physician, together with information about
any medical conditions, treatments, and medications, including generic drug names and doses. The con-
tact card should also include contact information for a family member still in the traveler’s home country
and the home embassy or consulate in the destination country.
Insurance for Travelers
International travelers should be aware that medical care abroad is often only available at private medical
facilities, and can be extremely expensive. In places where high-quality medical care is not readily avail-
able, travelers might need to be repatriated in the event of an accident or illness. Repatriation of the body
can be costly and difficult to arrange if death occurs abroad.
Travelers are advised to seek information about possible reciprocal health-care agreements between the
country of residence and the destination country, and to obtain special traveler’s health insurance for des-
tinations where health risks are significant and medical care is expensive and not readily available.
Travel health insurance should include coverage for changes to the itinerary, emergency repatriation for
health reasons, medical care in case of illness or accident, hospitalization, and repatriation of the body in
case of death.
Some countries now require proof of adequate health insurance as a condition of entry. Travelers should
be familiar with the procedures to obtain medical assistance if needed while abroad, and should carry a
copy of the insurance certificate, along with other important travel documents, in their carry-on luggage.
When preparing for an international trip, travelers can use the following checklist as a guide:
Determine local conditions
Risks related to the destination (urban, rural, or remote)
Type of accommodation (resort, local hotel, or camping)
Length of stay
Standards of hygiene and sanitation
Availability and quality of medical facilities
Arrange a medical consultation
Visit a physician or travel clinic 4-8 weeks prior to departure
Receive required and recommended vaccinations
Determine malaria risk and plan for prevention of mosquito bites, antimalarial drugs, mosquito
net, and insect repellent
Establish a plan for food hygiene
Eat only thoroughly cooked food and drink only bottled water or packaged drinks
Boil, filter, or disinfect water if bottled water will not be available
Assemble a suitable medical kit
Include items for basic first aid and items specific to the destination and the traveler’s personal
Obtain prescription medications
Subscribe to travel medical insurance
Look for insurance that covers changes in itinerary, medical care, hospitalization, as well as re-