Top 10 Travel Alerts and Vaccines for Summer 2019

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its Travel Alerts and Vaccine recommendatons for the summer season, identifying which countries are combating diseases during 2019. 

As a first step in planning any trip abroad, the CDC suggests checking the latest travel advisories for your intended destination. 

CDC Travel Alerts are designed to inform international travelers about current health issues related to disease outbreaks and natural disasters that may affect travelers’ health.

In an unusual action, the CDC issued a ‘global travel alert’ on June 10, 2019, regarding the expanding measles situation. Since January 2018, over 100,000 measles cases have been confirmed worldwide. 

The CDC says before international travel, regardless of where you are going, make sure you are protected fully against measles. Moreover, if you are not sure of your measles immunity, you should visit a healthcare provider at least one month before traveling abroad.

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As of June 10, 2019, the following CDC issued Level 3 and 2 Travel Alerts are in effect.

Level 3 Travel Alerts, Avoid Non-Essential Travel:

• Indonesia:  Travelers to the Central Sulawesi province may experience serious health and safety risks, and medical care may not be available.
• Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe:  Parts of these countries have been severely affected by Tropical Cyclone Idai. US residents should avoid nonessential travel to Beira City and the surrounding area in Mozambique.
• Venezuela:  The country is experiencing outbreaks of infectious diseases, and adequate healthcare is currently not available in most of Venezuela.

Level 2 Travel Alerts, Practice Enhanced Precautions:

• Brazil:  There are ongoing outbreaks of measles and yellow fever viruses in multiple states of Brazil. Travelers to Brazil should protect themselves by getting appropriate vaccines at least 10 days before travel, and preventing mosquito bites.
• The Democratic Republic of the Congo:  There is an outbreak of the Ebola Zaire virus in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces, and measles cases are being reported throughout the country. Additionally, all travelers to the DRC should be vaccinated fully against polio.
• Indonesia:  CDC recommends that all travelers to Indonesia be vaccinated fully against polio and measles, as there are ongoing outbreaks of both diseases.
• Japan:  There is an ongoing outbreak of rubella in Japan. Travelers to Japan should make sure they are vaccinated against rubella with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine before travel. And, pregnant women are advised to avoid visiting Japan.
• Nigeria:  A large, ongoing outbreak of yellow fever in Nigeria began in September 2017. All 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory had reported more than 3,500 suspected cases and a number of deaths. Travelers going to Nigeria should receive vaccination against yellow fever at least 10 days before travel and should take steps to prevent mosquito bites while there. Additionally, both measles and polio cases are being reported throughout Nigeria. The Nigerian Ministry of Health has reported several cases of poliovirus in the state of Borno in northeastern Nigeria. Because of the risk of cross-border transmission, the CDC recommends a one-time booster dose of polio vaccine for fully vaccinated adults traveling to Niger, Cameroon, or Chad.
• Niger:  Due to a Polio outbreak in Niger the CDC recommends that all travelers to Niger be vaccinated fully against polio. Before traveling to Niger, adults who completed their routine polio vaccine series as children should receive a single lifetime adult booster dose of polio vaccine.
• Papua New Guinea:  There is an outbreak of polio in Papua New Guinea. CDC recommends that all travelers to Papua New Guinea be fully vaccinated against polio
• Somalia:  There is a polio outbreak in Somalia. CDC recommends that all travelers to Somalia be vaccinated fully against polio.

To review an updated list of CDC Travel Alerts, the US Department of State Travel Advisories, and travel notices from the Canadiana and UK governments, please Vax Before Travel/Alerts.

Additionally, you can enroll for a free weekly travel alert newsletter and into the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program which enables U.S. citizens traveling or living abroad to receive the latest security updates from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

And, for country-specific, updated weather information, visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration International Weather Selector, as well anyone considering maritime travel should also review information at the Maritime Security Communications with Industry Portal.

Furthermore, the CDC says to ensure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip.

These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot.

Vaccination services, travel medications, and pre-trip counseling appointments can be scheduled with a local healthcare provider at Vax-Before-Travel.