With summer vacations in full swing, taking precautionary infection prevention measures will prevent derailment of the summer fun. Whether your vacation keeps you close to home or takes you to an international destination, hand hygiene remains the cornerstone of infection prevention. The following additional precautions can keep help keep you happy and healthy this summer!
Preventing Foodborne Illnesses:
Travelers’ diarrhea, generally contracted from contaminated food or water and transmitted via the fecal oral route, is the most common travel-related illness with estimates ranging from 30-70% of travelers impacted (CDC, 2023). Be sure to discuss travel plans ahead of time with your provider as they may want to provide oral rehydration salts or medications to have on hand in case they are needed. Certain measures can help reduce the risk, however the risk cannot be entirely be eliminated due to potentially poor hygiene practices in local restaurants.
- Avoid raw foods including salads and uncooked fruits and vegetables (unless peeled or blanched)
- Avoid condiments, including chutneys and salsas – these items are often left uncovered and exposed or at room temperature for prolonged periods of time
- Avoid street food
- Avoid unpasteurized beverages
- Avoid tap water and ice – bottled water is the safest option (also brush teeth with bottled or disinfected water)
- Be cautious at outdoor events due to food exposure and temperature concerns
- Dry food, packaged food, and food served hot is considered safe
- Most bottled beverages are considered safe
- Coffee and hot tea are considered safe if the water was boiled for preparation
Preventing Insect-borne Illnesses:
Insects are not only a nuisance, but they can carry diseases that may lead to severe illness or even death. Malaria, dengue, yellow fever, zika, and tick-borne encephalitis are some of the diseases that insects may carry. The best preventative measure is avoiding insect bites. If there are no bites, there is no risk.
- Wear loose clothing – long sleeves and pants provide best coverage
- Use insect repellents – deet or picardin are most commonly recommended; you can use this EPA tool for more specific recommendations or other products/ingredients
- Consider using permethrin on clothing and tents (do not apply directly to skin and ensure clothing is dry before donning)
- Avoid outdoor activities between dusk to dawn
- Use mosquito nets when sleeping
Additional Travel Infection Prevention Considerations:
The risk of illness is dependent on the region, season, and type of visit. Large gatherings, such as hajj, or traveling to remote or disaster stricken-areas to provide humanitarian relief carry specific needs unique from routine travel or visiting family. CDC regularly updates their travel health notices, which are searchable based on country. The CDC also has a list of several beneficial resources, including the Pre-Travel Provider’s Rapid Evaluation Portal which provides personalized recommendations based on the traveler’s information. The output is based on CDC recommendations and is continuously updated as new information arises.
Immunizations are an important component of international travel. When discussing immunizations, there are routine, recommended, and required. At minimum, travelers should be up to date on all routine immunizations. There are additional immunization considerations, such as typhoid or rabies, based on region and the type of travel that may be recommended. For some diseases, such as yellow fever, countries may require proof of immunization before entering. Again, CDC has a great tool available that allows individuals to search the country or countries they are traveling to for the recommended immunizations.
For further details and to address specific concerns, visit your primary care provider or consult a travel health provider. They can provide detailed guidance for special populations, such as elderly and pregnant travelers, provided required immunizations or refer to a clinic that has them, address specific questions and concerns, and more importantly provide a customized pre-travel plan to ensure you are well-protected for your trip.
Wherever your summer plans may take you, stay safe and stay healthy!
Additional Resources:
CDC Yellow Book – Health Information for International Travel
CDC “Pink Book” – Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases