Chickenpox is just one of many childhood illnesses that has been slowly disappearing, thanks to routine vaccinations. But, recent reports have had some people asking whether the chickenpox vaccine is indeed the best option for children.
A wildlife safari in Tanzania is an adventurer’s dream come true. Make sure you are well protected before your exotic adventure.
A safari is often a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Here are five tips on how you can have a smooth and enjoyable trip:
When you arrive for your appointment, the travel health specialist will examine you and look at your medical history. Their primary goal is to make sure that you are fit to travel. If you are, then they may suggest that you receive a number of recommended immunizations for Tanzania in addition to any routine vaccinations that need booster doses. Be sure to schedule your first appointment at least four weeks before you leave on your trip.
Most travelers should be vaccinated against typhoid as it can be spread through contaminated food and water. You could be sick for a very long time if you contract hepatitis A or typhoid. Receiving vaccinations for these diseases is definitely worth it.
You should also be vaccinated against hepatitis B and rabies, especially if you plan on going on safari. If you will be at risk of animal bites at any point during your trip, then the rabies vaccination could save your life.
Over 70% of travelers You will also need a yellow fever vaccine. While the Center for Disease Control, or CDC, does not typically recommend receiving a yellow fever vaccine for travel to Tanzania, it is a good idea to get vaccinated if you will be staying in the country for a long period of time. You may need to provide proof of your yellow fever vaccination to the Tanzanian authorities if an outbreak has occurred and you have recently been traveling through endemic areas.
You should also consider bringing prescribed anti-malarial drugs with you on your trip as a prophylactic measure.
If you need immunizations for your trip to Tanzania, don’t hesitate to get the travel health care you need from a specialist prior to your departure. Getting the vaccinations deemed necessary for a Tanzanian safari can mean the difference between seeing exotic animals and seeing the walls of a hospital from a hospital bed. Good luck, have fun and remember to purchase some travel insurance before you go.
Sources:
CDC Traveler Information Page for Tanzania
Travel Article Tips for Going on a Safari
Passport Health Page for Tanzania
A viral infection that is most commonly characterized by mild symptoms to no visible symptoms at all, Japanese encephalitis may also cause inflammation of the brain in a small percentage of infected humans. Symptoms of brain inflammation may include high fever, headache, tremors, coma, disorientation, and convulsions. Approximately 25 percent of cases in which the brain is affected are fatal. There is currently no specific treatment for Japanese encephalitis; however, much of the disease risk can be mitigated by receiving a vaccination and taking proper mosquito precautions.
Risk of infection for those who will be traveling to areas that have reported cases of Japanese encephalitis is relatively low. Nevertheless, travelers are advised to take precautions, as infection may occur. The virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes that belong to the Culex species, namely Culex tritaeniorhynchus. Transmission most commonly occurs in rural agricultural parts of Asia, where rice production and regular flooding often take place. Transmission is seasonal in temperate parts of Asia with summer and fall being the times of year during which the highest number of human cases are reported. The disease may be transmitted at any time of the year in tropical and subtropical regions, though the number of cases may peak during the rainy season.
Travelers to South Korea, in particular, should consider receiving the vaccination against Japanese encephalitis. In a recent test that was conducted in the city of Busan, 64 percent of the mosquitoes that were examined tested positive for the disease. The results of the tests prompted the Korea Centers for Disease Control to issue a nationwide alert. Because mosquitoes in the area are most active until the end of October, people are advised to use mosquito nets and to limit their time spent outside during the warmer months. Researchers believe changes in climate are helping mosquitoes that are affected by the disease breed in ever greater numbers.
Children have a higher risk than adults of contracting Japanese encephalitis. In response to the perceived threat the disease may pose for children in the Korean peninsula, the global relief group Carnitas has vaccinated 430,000 children in the peninsula against the virus at the time of this writing. The group plans to vaccinate 2.3 million children against the disease by the end of 2013.
Travelers who are planning a trip to South Korea should consider visiting a travel healthcare professional several weeks before their trip. Travel health specialists offer clients the benefit of learning more about health concerns and how they may affect travel, receiving a pre-travel checkup, as well as vaccines and malaria prophylaxis drugs all in one place. Travel clinics also offer advice regarding passport-related issues, tips for remaining safe, as well as addressing other needs that may arise for people who are planning to go abroad. Whether you are a first time overseas adventurer or a seasoned travel veteran, scheduling an appointment with a travel health specialist is always the best way to prepare for an upcoming journey.
A trip to Peru with a hike up the Inca Trail is one of the top trips in the world. But, Peru is more than just ruins and trails. The jungles of eastern Peru are some of the most amazing in all the Amazon, and Lake Titicaca is a must visit.
Peruvian travel also poses certain health risks. Food- and mosquito-borne illness are common as well as travelers diarrhea, just to name a few. Be sure to take proper precautions before venturing to The Land of the Incas.
If you’re headed to Peru, you need to make sure that you take steps to safeguard your health. The CDC and WHO recommend visiting a travel health clinic at least four weeks before you leave.
Vaccines for Peru vary based on your specific itinerary. A Passport Health travel specialist will help you decide which vaccines are best for you. The CDC and WHO have recommended that travelers receive the following vaccines:
Malaria is a common mosquito-borne disease especially in South and Central America. Peru is no exception with an estimated 64,000 malaria cases each year. The Loretto region, a popular tourist destination, accounts for a high percentage of the Amazon’s malaria cases.
If you are planning to travel to the jungles of Peru, take some type of antimalarial medication with you. This is especially important during the summers.
Insect-borne disease are a Peru is a generally safe place to travel. Follow the same rules you would in any developing country when it comes to food or other activities:
First, bring sunscreen. Even if it is cloudy outside, you can still get a sunburn while exploring Machu Picchu or the Inca Trail. Select a good sunscreen that is SPF 50 or higher, and apply it several times throughout the day.
When you arrive in Peru, you will receive an Andean migration card instead of a visitor’s visa. You cannot lose this piece of paper as you will need it to stay in hotels and even leave the country. We recommend keeping it clipped to the front page of your passport.
When you go to Machu Picchu, you may need to bring your passport. This may vary based on your specific itinerary. But, consider doing so anyway as you can get a novelty passport stamp there.
Don’t be afraid to ask your hotel to help set up a trip for you. Many locations work with local guides and will be able to help you find a guide. They can arrange transportation for you as well. But, most locations are within a short distance of each other within cities.
If you plan on traveling long distance, such as Cusco to Puno, buses are the way to go. They are usually inexpensive, only about 40 soles, but can be time consuming. Consider traveling at night to maximize your free time.
By scheduling a consultation with a travel health specialist, you can help ensure spend every minute of your trip enjoying Peru. Vaccinations can mean the difference between a great time and a serious illness. It makes sense to take care of your health before you go.
Have you been to Peru? Share your favorite tips with us in our comments section below. Or reach out to us on Facebook or Twitter with your thoughts.
Located in the western portion of Hispaniola, Haiti is a creole nation that offers amazing opportunities to tourists and volunteers alike. Despite difficulties in the first decade of the 21st century, Haiti is slowly returning to normal. Haiti remains a particularly high traffic location for individuals going on missions and volunteer vacations, and there are perils in this country that are important to be aware of as well as key preparations that must be taken before departure.
Haiti is a developing nation, and travel vaccinations and medications are crucial to help ensure a safe and healthy trip. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for most travelers (and hepatitis B for some) as well as a typhoid vaccination and anti malarial medication. A rabies vaccine may also be suggested if a traveler may be in contact with animals.
Be vigilant of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus that recently surfaced in the Caribbean region. Measures for avoiding the disease are fairly similar to those for avoiding malaria. Wear long sleeved clothing, use insect repellants, and use mosquito netting if sleeping in an open air space.
