Travel to Developing Countries - Infectious Diseases

Other Infectious Diseases

An estimated 15 - 45% of short-term travelers experience a health problem associated with their trip. This percentage is higher in travelers to developing countries.

A traveler can reach virtually any place in the world within 36 hours, which is less than the incubation period for most infectious diseases. The ease with which people see the world has dramatically increased the number of foreign travelers. Respiratory infections, such as influenza and colds, develop in 10 - 25% of travelers. Women traveling to the tropics are at high risk for urinary tract infections.

Even worse, doctors in Western countries are now seeing infectious diseases never before encountered in their regions. Travelers are at risk from infections transmitted among people, as well as those transmitted by insects or animals (vector-borne diseases). Malaria, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, is the most widespread vector-borne disease, and infects 300 - 500 million people around the world annually. Between 10,000 and 30,000 of these cases occur in travelers. Anyone traveling to high-risk countries should take precautions.

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A Word about Bird Flu

Avian influenza type A (also known as bird flu and avian flu) is a disease causing death in more than 50% of infected persons. The virus (H5N1) is common in birds, but often does not make them appear ill. As of January 5, 2011, 516 people had been infected with the bird flu. Of these, 306 people have died, according to the World Health Organization. No cases have been seen in the United States. Risk factors for infection include close contact with caged birds or poultry (chickens, ducks, and turkeys), eating undercooked poultry products, and contact with poultry feces. To date, there are no documented cases of transmission of bird flu from one human to another. If they avoid these risk factors, travelers to countries with documented cases of avian flu are considered at low risk for infection. There are no travel restrictions associated with avian influenza, and preventive antiviral medications are not recommended.