Rising Infectious Disease Threats Spotlight Significance of Journey Vaccines

As worldwide journey will increase, so does the danger of publicity to infectious illnesses. Global mobility, local weather change, and lapses in vaccination protection have fueled the resurgence and unfold of sicknesses comparable to measles, chikungunya, and chagas illness.

For vacationers, vaccination stays some of the efficient methods to cut back threat, each for private safety and to stop the importation of infectious illnesses throughout borders.

Miniature traveler on the lookout for vaccine | Image Credit: © Yuan – inventory.adobe.com

Which Diseases Are Circulating?

Several infectious illnesses proceed to flow into globally, presenting dangers to unvaccinated or underprepared vacationers. Some, like measles, are resurgent even in nations with traditionally sturdy immunization applications. For instance, the US is experiencing the most important measles outbreak since 2000, totaling over 1400 circumstances. According to world well being reporting, surges in measles circumstances are current in each area on the planet together with Europe, Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and Canada—a results of declining immunization charges.^1-6

As world temperatures rise, different illnesses unfold by bugs have gotten extra prevalent in areas the place they beforehand weren’t. For instance, rising temperature create the best atmosphere for mosquitos, who can carry a bunch of illnesses. Most notable, chikungunya is spreading quickly in China, Latin America, and Europe—areas which haven’t seen such outbreaks previously.⁷

Chagas illness, initially endemic to Mexico and Central and South America, is now commonly circulating within the US, in response to a report revealed by the CDC. California is experiencing the best price of circumstances at wherever between 70,000 and 100,000. Human circumstances have additionally been reported in Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, and Arkansas. However, the danger is widespread with kissing bugs discovered throughout all states.^8,9

The CDC additionally studies growing rabies circumstances within the US pushed by habitat loss and lack of vaccination. As pure habitats shrink, contact between people and wild animals grows extra frequent, growing the danger of illnesses comparable to rabies. As of September 2025, the CDC reported 6 deaths from rabies within the US, marking the best quantity in years. These circumstances have been related to publicity to rabid animals together with raccoons, skunks, and grey foxes. Affected areas together with Nassau County, New York; Cape Cod, Massachusetts; and components of Alaska, Arizona, California, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, Oregon, and Vermont.¹⁰

“We are currently tracking 15 different likely outbreaks,” Ryan Wallace, MD, chief of the rabies crew on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, instructed NBC News.¹⁰

What Are the Vaccine Recommendations?

For measles, the CDC recommends that every one vacationers are totally vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Children ought to obtain 2 doses, the primary at 12 to fifteen months of age and the second at 4 to six years. Adults with out proof of immunity must also be vaccinated, notably these at increased threat comparable to worldwide vacationers, well being care employees, and school college students. Infants as younger as 6 months who’re touring internationally ought to obtain a dose earlier than departure, though this dose doesn’t rely towards the routine collection. Vaccination ought to be completed about 2 weeks previous to journey.^11,12

Chikungunya vaccines can be found within the United States, however the live-attenuated vaccine Ixchiq (Valneva) has had its US biologics license suspended by the FDA. As of August 22, 2025, use of Ixchiq was halted after studies of significant adversarial occasions, together with hospitalizations, neurologic points, and no less than 1 demise from vaccine pressure encephalitis. The remaining vaccine, Vimkunya (Bavarian Nordic), is a virus-like particle vaccine accepted for people 12 years and older and continues to be obtainable.^13,14

The CDC recommends vaccination for vacationers going to areas with present chikungunya outbreaks, and for long-term stays or strikes to areas the place the virus is endemic. Special warning is suggested particularly for older adults (initially ≥60 or ≥65), these with power medical situations, immunocompromised individuals, and pregnant or breastfeeding people.^13,14

For rabies, the CDC advises pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for vacationers to nations the place rabies is frequent and the place well timed entry to post-exposure therapy could also be restricted. In 2022, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices up to date suggestions to a 2-dose vaccine collection given on days 0 and seven, changing the earlier 3-dose schedule. Pre-exposure vaccination can be advisable for veterinarians, animal handlers, and different high-risk teams. In the occasion of an publicity, those that are unvaccinated require quick wound care, rabies immune globulin, and a vaccine collection, whereas vaccinated people obtain solely a lowered vaccine collection with out immune globulin.¹⁵

As of 2025, Chagas illness has no vaccine or preventive drug obtainable. The CDC stresses the significance of preventive measures comparable to avoiding insect bites from kissing bugs, utilizing mattress nets, and bettering housing situations in endemic areas. Blood screening and vector management efforts additionally stay essential to decreasing transmission.⁹

Other Worthy Mentions

Several different vaccines are necessary to contemplate for worldwide vacationers. Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into sure nations in Africa and South America and stays important safety towards outbreaks.¹⁶

Japanese encephalitis vaccination is advisable for vacationers spending prolonged durations in rural areas of Asia, notably throughout transmission seasons.¹⁷

Typhoid vaccination is suggested for these touring to areas with poor sanitation or the place the illness is frequent, comparable to South Asia, components of Africa, and Latin America.¹⁸

Polio stays a threat in components of the world and outbreaks have been introduced in Papau New Guinea and areas of the Middle East, notably Gaza.^19,20

Finally, each hepatitis A and B are broadly circulating globally, and vaccination is strongly advisable for vacationers, notably given the benefit of transmission by meals, water, blood, and sexual contact.²¹

As frontline well being care suppliers, pharmacists play a essential position in making certain vacationers are protected towards infectious illnesses. By counseling sufferers on advisable vaccines, verifying immunization standing, and offering steering on preventive measures, pharmacists assist cut back particular person threat and curb the worldwide unfold of illnesses. Staying updated on CDC pointers and rising outbreaks helps pharmacists provide well timed, evidence-based suggestions that safeguard each vacationers and the communities they return to.

REFERENCES

1. Global measles outbreaks. CDC. September 10, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025 https://www.cdc.gov/global-measles-vaccination/data-research/global-measles-outbreaks/index.html

2. Gerlach A. Measles outbreak replace, Florida Surgeon General broadcasts plan to take away vaccine mandates in colleges. Pharmacy Times. September 10, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/measles-outbreak-update-florida-surgeon-general-announces-plan-to-remove-vaccine-mandates-in-schools

3. Hughes D. Measles vacation warning as circumstances rise in Europe. BBC. June 6, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c706y4jr95lo

4. Resurgence of preventable illnesses threatens kids in East Asia and the Pacific. World Health Organization. May 28, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.who.int/westernpacific/news/item/28-05-2025-resurgence-of-preventable-diseases-threatens-children-in-east-asia-and-the-pacific#:~:text=Since%20the%20beginning%20of%202025,January%20to%2010%20May%202025.

5. Ten nations within the Americas report measles outbreaks in 2025. Pan American Health Organization. August 15, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.paho.org/en/news/15-8-2025-ten-countries-americas-report-measles-outbreaks-2025

6. Yousif N. How Canada turned the centre of a measles outbreak in North America. BBC. July 20, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g8d39gdr0o

7. Nolen S. A debilitating virus surges globally as mosquitoes transfer with warming local weather. The New York Times. August 19, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025. http://nytimes.com/2025/08/19/health/chikungunya-virus-mosquitoes-what-to-know.html

8. Beatty N, Hamer G, Moreno-Peniche B, et al. Chagas illness, an endemic illness within the United States. Emerging Infectious Diseases. September 2025. doi:10.3201/eid3109.241700

9. Gerlach A. What pharmacists ought to know as Chagas illness circulates within the US. Pharmacy Times. September 8, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/what-pharmacists-should-know-as-chagas-disease-circulates-in-the-us

10. Kopf M, Carroll L, Thompson A. Outbreaks of rabies appear to be rising throughout the U.S., CDC surveillance reveals. NBC News. August 31, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025. www.myworkday.com/mjhlifesciences/d/home.htmld

11. Measles vaccination. CDC. January 17, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccines/index.html?utm

12. Measles (rubeola). CDC. July 15, 2024. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/travel/index.html?utm

13. Chikungunya vaccines. CDC. August 22, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/vaccines/index.html?utm

14. Valletti D. FDA suspends licensing of Ixchiq Chikungunya vaccine amid security considerations. Pharmacy Times. August 27, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/fda-suspends-licensing-of-ixchiq-chikungunya-vaccine-amid-safety-concerns

15. Rabies. CDC. April 23, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/travel-associated-infections-diseases/rabies.html?utm

16. Yellow fever. CDC. April 23, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/travel-associated-infections-diseases/yellow-fever.html?utm

17. Japanese encephalitis. CDC. April 23, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/travel-associated-infections-diseases/japanese-encephalitis.html?utm

18. Global typhoid fever vaccination. CDC. May 16, 2024. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/typhoid-fever/php/global-typhoid-fever/index.html?utm

19. Ng Okay. WHO declares polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea. BBC. May 16, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg9men89yvo

20. Grotto I, Agha H, Al-Halaweh, A, et al. Public well being, conflict and cross-border challenges: the current cVDPV2 polio outbreak in Gaza. eClinicalMedicine. February 27, 2025. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2025.103136.

21. CDC collaborates worldwide to get rid of viral Hepatitis. CDC. July 25, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025.