Level 2 Travel Advisory Reissued for Spain

The US Department of State reissued its Level 2 Travel Advisory when visiting the country of Spain. 

This March 18, 2019, Practice Enhanced Caution Travel Advisory, says Americans visiting Spain should be on alert when visiting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas. 

This is important news since the number of international tourists visiting Spain broke records for a 5th straight year in 2017. 

Previously, on March 12, 2019, The U.S. Embassy in Madrid become aware of a public criminal investigation of an operator of several small tour companies based in Seville, Spain, who is alleged to have targeted U.S. citizen visitors for sexual assault. 

Media reports indicate that numerous American students have filed complaints with the Spanish authorities stating that Blanco has sexually assaulted them during trips that his company has organized for U.S. citizens during their study abroad programs in Spain, or during other activities that he has organized in the Seville area since 2013. 

Separately, on February 29, 2019, the UK.gov travel website updated its message to say, ‘There have been large gatherings of people in Barcelona and other areas of the Catalonia region in relation to the political developments there. Further gatherings and demonstrations are likely to take place.’ 

And, the Canadian government issued a Travel Advice for Spain during May 2018.   

If you decide to travel to Spain, the US Department of State says:

• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations, such as this Traveler’s Checklist.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says Americans visiting Spain should be up to date with Routine Vaccines. Most people think of these as childhood vaccines that you get before starting school, but the CDC also recommends routine vaccines for adults, such as the MMR, flu and tetanus vaccines. 

The measles immunity is important given Spain’s recent outbreak.

These Routine Vaccines can be found at most pharmacies in the USA. American travelers to Spain can request a medication or vaccine counseling appointment at Vax-Before-Travel.

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides private sector vaccine prices for general information. And, vaccine discounts can be found here.

Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of vaccines to the FDA or CDC.