Travel Diseases

Travel Diseases

Vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks, such as polio, yellow fever, Ebola, measles, and cholera, continue to disrupt international travel in 2024, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of December 2024, the U.S. CDC published Travel Health Advisories and digital maps indicating vaccine-preventable diseases in various countries.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.K. Health Security Agency says it's essential to check your destination before you travel and be prepared by staying up to date with the latest outbreaks and events. The WHO and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) publish weekly Epidemiological Updates for Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika.

Travel Diseases

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved vaccines targeting travel-related diseases such as the following:

Chikungunya: Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes with the chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Chikungunya outbreaks are primarily found in Africa, Asia, Brazil, and the Indian subcontinent. The U.S. FDA approved a CHIKV preventive vaccine in 2023.

Cholera: Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease that can kill within hours if left untreated. Currently, there are WHO-prequalified oral cholera vaccines (OCV), such as DUKORAL®. And VaxChora® may become available in the U.S. in late 2023.

Dengue: Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. There are four Dengue serotypes, and it is possible to be infected four times. Two dengue vaccines are in use worldwide: Dengvaxia and QDENGA®. 

Ebola: Ebola virus disease is a rare but often fatal illness in humans. The Ervebo® vaccine was approved by the U.S. FDA in 2020. 

Hepatitis: Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The five main strains of hepatitis viruses include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, and hepatitis E. The CDC updated hepatitis vaccination schedules for children, adolescents, and adults. 

Influenza: Various influenza viruses continually spread worldwide. There are several FDA-approved flu shots available in 2024.

Japanese Encephalitis: JE is a severe virus that spreads to people through the bites of infected mosquitos. There are FDA-approved JE vaccines available in the U.S.

Lassa Fever: Lassa virus is an acute viral infection that originates and spreads through contact with a typical African rat. As of 2023, the U.S. FDA had not approved a Lassa fever vaccine.

Lyme Disease: Lyme disease is a tickborne disease common in Europe and the U.S., transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. No vaccine has been approved in 2023.

Malaria: Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is preventable with the Mosquirix (RTS,S/AS01) and R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccines available in Africa, not the U.S.

Marburg: Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a severe human disease caused by the Marburg virus. There have been recent MVD outbreaks in Africa. As of 2023, the FDA has not approved a vaccine targeting MVD.

Measles: Measles is a highly contagious, severe disease caused by a virus. Safe vaccines (MMR-II and Priorix) are available throughout the U.S. Measles is a risk to international travelers visiting countries such as India.

Meningococcal: Vaccines can help prevent meningococcal disease, which is any illness Neisseria men in the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. Twogococcal vaccines are available in the U.S.

MERS: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome vaccines are not approved 202be 3, but several vaccine candidates are conducting clinical trials.

Mpox: Mpox is caused by the mpox virus, and outbreaks began in May 2022 and continue in 2023. Authorized vaccines such as JYNNEOS® are offered in various countries in 2023.

Polio: Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by types of poliovirus. There is no cure for polio, but vaccines can prevent it. Canada, Israel, Germany, the U.K., New York, and Spain recently discovered poliovirus in wastewater and increased polio vaccination offerings.

Rabies: Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease in over 150 countries and territories. It is present on all continents except Antarctica, with over 95% of human deaths occurring in the Asia and African regions. It is spread to people and animals through bites or scratches, usually via saliva. Dogs are responsible for up to 99% of rabies transmission to humans. 

Rift Valley Fever: Rift Valley Fever is a viral epidemic illness in Africa that can be fatal to humans. As of 2023, no vaccines are available for human use. The ThVF vaccine candidate was found safe, well tolerated, and immunogenic when administered as a single dose in this University of Oxford phase 1 study population.

Rotavirus: Four rotavirus The organization for use worldwide prequalified four rotavirus vaccines de.

Tickborne Encephalitis: Tickborne encephalitis virus is a member of the family Flaviviridae. Approximately 10,000–12,000 clinical cases of tickborne encephalitis are reported each year. FDA-approved vaccines are also available. There are currently four available vaccines.

Typhoid: Typhoid fever is a life-threatening infection caused by Salmonella Typhi. It is usually spread through contaminated food or water. One FDA-approved vaccine has been used for many years to prevent typhoid.

Tuberculosis: TB is a potentially severe infectious disease mainly affecting children's lungs. The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine helps prevent TB. 

West Nile Virus: Phoenix, Arizona, has become a West Nile Virus (WNV) hot spot in the U.S. in 2023. However, the U.S. FDA has not authorized a WNV preventive vaccine.

Yellow Fever: Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. A small proportion of patients who contract the virus develop severe symptoms, and approximately half die within 7 to 10 days. Yellow fever vaccines (YF-Vax® and Stamaril®) are available worldwide.

Zika: Zika virus outbreaks (India) continue in 2023. However, as of 2024, no approved Zika vaccines are available.

Travel Vaccine Appointments

Request a pre-departure travel vaccination advisory appointment with a healthcare professional using this weblink.