Be Alert to Overseas Health Risks

Outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) around the world have highlighted the need for travelers to stay abreast of public health issues in other countries. Several Web sites provide up-to-the minute health information for overseas travelers:

• http://www.cdc.gov/travel
  The travel page for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers information on outbreaks of concern to international travelers, specific diseases and vaccination recommendations.

• http://www.state.gov/travel
  The State Department's main travel page gives travelers a jumping-off point for researching everything they need to know before heading overseas, including information on travel emergencies and warnings. The site's many useful links cover visas, foreign per diem rates, issues related to living overseas, airline on-time statistics and currency exchange rates.

• http://www.who.int/ith
  The online version of the World Health Organization's journal International Travel and Health summarizes the most recent research about the health risks travelers face and what they should do to protect their health. The material is directed toward medical professionals, but most of the contents are accessible to lay readers. The site includes a searchable database of vaccination requirements and diseases posing risk to travelers.

And if travelers have health conditions requiring medication, the American Pharmaceutical Association offers the following travel tips:

Bring your medication schedule with you, and be sure to list both prescription and over-the-counter medication. If you must be hospitalized or require a doctor, the list can help medical personnel understand your situation, particularly if language barriers are an issue.

• Keep your medication in your carry-on bag in case your luggage is lost or stolen.
• Keep your medication in its original container, and bring more than you expect to use, in case you are delayed or extend your trip. Plan well in advance: Some insurance companies require special authorization for additional supplies of medication.
• Ask your pharmacist whether any foods or beverages might interfere with your medication, particularly foods that you are likely to encounter while traveling.