Map exhibits international locations the place US has issued recent journey warnings

The U.S. has issued new journey warnings in response to illness outbreaks in a number of international locations, warning Americans to “practice enhanced precautions” when visiting the affected areas.

On August 4, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a degree 2 journey alert, a part of its four-tier system, over world polio in a number of international locations. Travelers are suggested to verify they’re updated with their polio vaccines. Anyone visiting the affected international locations who beforehand accomplished the total, routine polio vaccine collection might also obtain a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.

The checklist of affected international locations contains Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, French Guiana (France), Germany, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Kenya, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Republic of South Sudan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Spain, Sudan, Tanzania, together with Zanzibar, Uganda, United Kingdom, together with England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

In the previous month, the CDC additionally raised Level 2 journey alerts over outbreaks of chikungunya in China, confirmed and suspected circumstances of diphtheria in Guinea, and outbreaks of mpox in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The CDC ranks journey alerts from Level 1 (“Practice Usual Precautions”) to Level 4 (“Avoid All Travel”). Level 2 urges vacationers to take stronger precautions attributable to an elevated threat of an infection.

Why It Matters

These advisories underscore the significance of Americans staying knowledgeable about well being and security dangers when touring abroad. Conditions resembling mpox and diphtheria can worsen rapidly if not managed correctly.

What To Know

Chikungunya in China

On August 1, the CDC issued a Level 2 journey alert for Guangdong Province, China, citing an outbreak of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus. Most circumstances have been reported in Foshan metropolis.

The illness is unfold via mosquito bites and may trigger fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or a rash.

The CDC recommends two accepted vaccines for these touring to affected areas and encourages mosquito chunk prevention measures, resembling utilizing insect repellent; sporting long-sleeved shirts and pants; and staying in locations with air con or which have screens on the home windows and doorways.

Pregnant vacationers are suggested to rethink journey to affected areas.

Diphtheria in Guinea

On July 22, the CDC introduced a Level 2 journey alert for the Kankan area in Guinea attributable to confirmed and suspected circumstances of diphtheria.

The CDC mentioned vaccination towards diphtheria was important to guard towards illness, urging vacationers to make sure they’re updated on immunizations. Diphtheria signs embrace fever, sore throat, problem swallowing, change in voice, shortness of breath, weak point, or fatigue. The CDC advises vacationers to keep away from contact with folks displaying signs.

Clade II Mpox in Liberia and Sierra Leone

The CDC issued one other Level 2 alert on July 22 for Liberia and Sierra Leone attributable to outbreaks of clade II mpox.

“Unlike the ongoing global clade II mpox outbreak that began in 2022, which has primarily affected gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), these outbreaks have affected males and females approximately equally,” mentioned the alert.

Transmission is going on via shut contact, together with via sexual or different intimate contact. The CDC recommends vacationers who anticipate intimate or sexual contact in affected areas are vaccinated.

The CDC advises vacationers to keep away from contact with people who find themselves sick with signs and symptoms of mpox, together with these with pores and skin or genital lesions. Those who develop new, unexplained pores and skin rashes (lesions on any a part of the physique), with or with out fever and chills, ought to search instant medical care.

What Happens Next

The CDC will proceed monitoring world outbreaks and can replace its journey well being notices as new data turns into obtainable all year long.