For those who frequently travel, taking a trek on your own offers a new level of foreign freedom.

This eliminates all discussions for where to eat, what sights to see and how to spend down time.

But, what you gain in freedom, you may give up in feeling safe during that solo international trip.

The stories are unfortunately far too common. Whether it’s in the form of assault, verbal abuse or some other violent act. There are many reports of independent travelers facing dangers around the world.

This is not to say that people should avoid traveling. Only that to ensure a safer trip, you might want to take some extra precautions.

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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.

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Brazil is taking a radical step forward in eliminating its dengue fever problem: releasing thousands of mosquitos. But, before you think that the country has lost its mind, know that these aren’t regular mosquitos. The British biotech firm Oxitec has genetically modified the bugs to prevent them from spreading the disease.

Oxitec’s plan is simple. The genetically modified strain is male only, and these mosquitoes will seek out a female mate. Their offspring inherit the genes that ensure they cannot spread dengue fever. These offspring die before reaching maturity. Perhaps even more interesting is that the strain contains a gene that leaves a florescent marker on the mosquito, so researchers can easily track the spread of the strain.

The hope is that enough mosquitos will find mates and be able to create enough dengue fever free offspring to reduce the number of cases throughout the country. As of now, Brazil is the international leader in dengue fever cases.

Trials have shown that the release of the dengue-free males into areas have greatly reduced the population of mosquitos and, in some cases, have even eliminated mosquitoes from the area.

Brazil is the first nation to allow the release of these genetically modified mosquitoes, but successful trials have been carried out in varying locations throughout the world. Brazilian officials are hoping to lower the number of dengue fever cases before the Olympics are held there in 2016. India is also currently working with Oxitec to produce a similar program.

No studies show what the long-term effects of these types of programs could be on ecosystems, but it is certain that they will help curtail dengue fever in the short term. There is also the exciting possibility of using this methodology to reduce the spread of malaria.

Dengue fever is a disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. It can be fatal if untreated, and it affects as many as 400 million people annually, according to CDC estimates.

For more information on dengue fever and what you can do to prevent it in your travels, contact a Passport Health Travel Specialist via our website or by calling 1-888-499-PASS (7277).

Time and time again, when the world has faced its most dangerous epidemics, its hero has come in the form of a needle and a vial.

From polio to measles to smallpox, countless scientists and researchers have found the solution. The CDC estimates that, among children born in the last 20 years, vaccines will prevent more than 21 million hospitalizations and 732,000 deaths.

Developing, testing and rolling out a new vaccination is no easy task. This lengthy and complex process is often frustrating in the midst of an epidemic. Pressure mounts when a vaccine is needed right at the moment, rather than sometime in the future.

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The smallpox vaccine is credited to English doctor Edward Jenner.

His reputation is well-earned, as he studied the disease and ways to prevent it for decades.

Jenner first used his vaccine by exposing an eight-year-old boy to a cowpox-infected needle. Although the boy suffered some symptoms from the cowpox, he was immune to smallpox.

But, a man tried this method years earlier despite spending his life trying to eradicate something far different: witches.

Cotton Mather was a popular minister and scholar in late 17th century Boston. The son of Increase Mather, another prominent minister, the duo were well-known advocates for the Salem witch trials.

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