Preface
International travel is undertaken by large, and ever increasing, numbers of people for professional, social, recreational and humanitarian purposes. More people travel greater distances and at greater speed than ever before, and this upward trend looks set to continue. Travellers are thus exposed to a variety of health risks in unfamiliar environments. Most such risks, however, can be minimized by suitable precautions taken before, during and after travel. The purpose of this book to provide guidance on measures to prevent or reduce any adverse consequences for the health of travellers.
The book is addressed primarily to medical and public health professionals who provide health advice to travellers, but it is also intended to provide guidance to travel agents and organizers, airlines and shipping companies. As far as possible, the information is presented in a form readily accessible to interested travellers and non-medical readers. For medical professionals, other sources of additional material are available and essential information is given as concisely as possible.
The book is intended to give guidance on the full range of signifi cant health issues associated with travel. The roles of the medical profession, the travel industry and travellers themselves in avoiding health problems are recognized. The recommendations address the health risks associated with different types of travel and travellers.
While there is evidence that more traditional tourist and business travellers take appropriate prevention measures or receive proper treatment, recent immigrants who return to their home countries for the purpose of visiting friends and relatives (VFR) deserve particular attention because they are at a higher risk of suffering certain health problems.
In this edition, a chapter on psychological health has been added. The worldwide distribution of the major infectious diseases is shown in revised, more detailed and precise maps. Vaccine recommendations and schedules have been updated and other chapters have been reviewed to refl ect current prevention and treatment options. In particular, adjustment has been made to the recommendations for polio vaccination for travelers. The main infectious diseases that pose potential health threats for travellers have been revised, as well as corresponding preventive measures and information on environmental factors that may have adverse effects on the health of travellers and well-being. The chapter on malaria provides updated information on malaria prophylaxis as well as treatment options for malaria in travellers.
The printed edition of this book is revised and published every year. The Internet version (http://www.who.int/ith) allows continuous updating and provides links to other useful information, such as: news of current disease outbreaks of international importance; useful country web links for travel and health; an interactive map for yellow fever and malaria status, requirements and recommendations; and high resolution and more precise disease distribution maps. The website now also features a section on “latest updates for travellers” with recent substantial developments in travel and health.