Tips for healthy holiday travel
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a travellers’ health update, in which it provides six tips for healthy travel abroad ahead of the holiday travel season.
The first tip is for travellers to visit a healthcare provider before they leave, in order to obtain the vaccines and medicines needed in their destination. The CDC said that a doctor’s visit is still valuable even for travellers who are soon to depart. It also said that it recommends that travellers get a yearly flu shot before travel to protect them and their family abroad, especially as some travellers and/or their family members and friends might be at higher risk for flu complications.
The second tip given by the CDC is for travellers to pack a kit that comprises, for example, prescription and over the counter medicines, sunscreen, alcohol-based hand sanitiser, first aid supplies, health insurance card, insect repellent, and condoms.
Thirdly, the CDC said that whether visiting hot or cold climates, travellers should make sure they are prepared and also avoid sun exposure. Fourth on the list of tips is that travellers should protect themselves from insect bites by using insect repellent to avoid contracting serious diseases spread by mosquitoes, such as Zika, dengue and malaria.
Tip number five is for travellers to frequently wash their hands with soap and water to prevent outbreaks of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by norovirus. Finally, the CDC advises travellers to learn aboUt health risks at their destination and to check travel notices, as these are regularly updated.