In recent years, a disease most commonly associated with history textbooks has been making the news in various regions throughout the world. The bubonic plague, or ‘Black Death’ as it may have been called in your history class, has killed individuals in North America and throughout the world at an increased rate from previous years.
Southeast Asia is one of the most popular destinations for overseas travel due to the region’s rich history, beautiful landscapes, and astounding cultural sites. Locations like the Taj Mahal, Mount Fuji and Angkor Wat are seen by millions every year, but traveling to this area can also pose a commonly overlooked health threat.
Over the last year, there has been a dramatic increase in Japanese encephalitis cases in Japan, India and other countries in Asia. The exact reason for this rise is unclear, but the solution, at least for travelers, is very simple: vaccination.
The Japanese encephalitis vaccine is available at all Passport Health clinics nationwide. However, many travelers chose to forego Japanese encephalitis vaccination. They (often mistakenly) don’t believe they will come in contact with the disease, or they do not think the vaccine is ‘worth it.’ Such thinking couldn’t be more wrong.
Just this week, six children in India were killed by Japanese encephalitis, and over 20 more tested positive in the Assam region. Other countries have had serious outbreaks as well, but India is quickly becoming a JE hotzone. Travelers to the region are strongly encouraged to receive a Japanese encephalitis vaccine.
Still, some may say, “Why do I need a Japanese encephalitis vaccine? I’m not traveling to an infected area,” or “I’ll only be there for a few days; I’ll be safe.” Such thinking, however, is ill-conceived. Because JE is a mosquito-borne illness, someone could conceivably become infected within hours of arriving at the destination. Vaccination is critical in preventing infection and the spread of the disease.
It takes at least 28 days to complete the Japanese encephalitis vaccine series and obtain full protection. Prepare before you go by visiting your local Passport Health clinic.
To learn more about Japanese encephalitis, see our JE portal.
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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.
