There are numerous other diseases that may require either pre- or post-travel treatment. It's best to check the CDC-Travel Health website before your trip so you can be prepared.

Travel Vaccines

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides detailed information for United States citizens who are traveling outside of the country. This information includes vaccinations for illnesses common in other parts of the world, specific travel information, insect protection, and information on safe food and water among other things.

  • Vaccination and disease prevention depends on the country or area of the world you will be visiting.
  • All patients should be up to date with their regular vaccination schedule. If not, get them up to date as soon as possible. Some travel vaccines require a specific amount of time before fully effective. Depending on where you will be traveling, it may be necessary to get a Tetanus booster and make sure you have had a meningococcal vaccination.
  • There is only one vaccination that is required by International Health Regulations that you must get prior to travel in certain areas. The Yellow Fever vaccination is for those traveling to certain countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and tropical South America. The meningococcal vaccination is required by the Saudi Arabian government for those traveling during Hajj.
    • Yellow fever-a mosquito-borne virus that is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America. A travelers risk is determined by various factors and many countries require an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) for yellow fever for entry and/or from travelers from certain countries. The certificate is valid 10 days after the date of vaccination and for 10 years following. Yellow Fever vaccination and certification must be done at a certified site. The vaccination is a single injection. Travelers should be advised to check the requirement of the country they are visiting. http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh4-YellowFever.aspx, http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh5-MalariaYellowFeverTable.aspx
    • Japanese Encephalitis-a mosquito-borne virus similar to the West Nile virus, is endemic in most of southwestern Asia including China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Careful evaluation of the travelers risk should be taken because if the traveler is going to be spending much of their time in major metropolitan areas, vaccination may not be necessary. Vaccination is a three-dose series spaced at 0, 7, and 30 days (although this can be shortened to 14 days if needed with little change in efficacy) and the last dose should be given about 10 days prior to travel. http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh4-JapaneseEncephalitis.aspx
    • Typhoid fever-an acute febrile illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi. Typhoid is of greatest risk to travelers heading to South Asia, and developing countries in Asia, Africa, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Vaccination is mostly recommended to those travelers who will be heading to smaller cities, villages and rural areas. Currently there are two Typhoid vaccinations-an oral vaccine (4 doses spaced 48 hours apart), and an intramuscular vaccination. http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh4-Typhoid.aspx