International travel risks exposure to infectious diseases. Some are serious. Fortunately, most are preventable with vaccines and other medicines.
Did you know?
International travelers may be exposed to a variety of pathogens and risks,
20 to 70 percent of people report some health problems when traveling.
Overall, during international travel, 1 to 5 percent of travelers seek medical attention.[1]
For every 100,000 people who journey to the tropics:
45,000 will experience some type of health problem,
close to 35,000 will contract traveler’s diarrhea,
approximately 8000 – 1 traveler in 12 – will become sick enough to seek medical attention during or after the trip.[2]
The World Health Organization (WHO) advises travelers to consult a travel medicine clinic or personal physician four to six weeks before departure if the travel destination is one where exposure to any vaccine-preventable diseases may occur.
[1] Ryan ET, Kain KC. Primary care: Health Advice and Immunization for Travelers. N Engl J Med.2000; 342(23):1216-1725.
[2] Paynter W. Travel Medicine. Clinician Reviews, 2000:10(1)
