Happy (and healthy) holidays!
Ahead of the holiday season ─ a busy period for travel, with many taking trips to see loved ones at home or abroad ─ the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided some holiday travel tips to keep travellers healthy and safe.
Prior to travel, the CDC said that it is important that travellers learn about health concerns at their destination. It explained that even if a traveller is familiar with their destination, they could be faced with new and important health concerns that could have a detrimental impact on their trip. Once clued up on the destination, the CDC recommends that travellers make an appointment with a healthcare provider at least a month before they embark on their trip in order to obtain vaccines, medications and health advice.
It could be wise for travellers to consider buying additional insurance that covers international healthcare and emergency evacuation
Another important trip for travellers is to pack a travel health kit including items such as prescription and over the counter medicines, as well as sunscreen, hand sanitiser, first aid supplies and insect repellent. The CDC said it would be wise for travellers to pack their prescription drugs and must-have items in their carry-on luggage in case their luggage gets lost.
A key safety tip for travellers is to enroll with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which can provide them with the latest safety updates and help in an emergency. In addition, there are resources available such as the US State Department website, which travellers can use to monitor travel advisories at their destination.
Another pre-travel tip is to find out if their health insurance covers medical care abroad. The CDC said that it could be wise for travellers to consider buying additional insurance that covers international healthcare and emergency evacuation, particularly if they are visiting remote areas.
During their trip away, the CDC recommends the following measures: choosing safe transportation and buckling up; preventing bug bites by using an EPA-registered insect repellent; choosing food and water carefully, as contaminated food and drinks can cause traveller’s diarrhoea; and protecting against temperature-related illness by wearing sunscreen or wrapping up warm, depending on the climate.
As some travel-related illnesses may not cause symptoms until after a traveller returns home, the CDC said that, if they are not feeling well when they return, they should speak to a doctor immediately, letting them know where they have been. This will enable the doctor to consider conditions that may not be typically seen in a traveller’s home country.
With all of these excellent tips, hopefully travellers can ensure a healthy and happy holiday season.