What is Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and How does it Spread?

This is called German measles or Rubella, which is a disease spread through the air by breathing, coughing and sneezing. Should avoid sharing items, like cups or drink cans. The virus can also live on items and surfaces for several hours touched by an infected person.

Why Should Travellers get the Vaccine ?

MMR vaccine is safe for use with very few, mild side effects. Travelers going outside the United States are at risk for Rubella. Travellers may be unaware that they have been in contact with an infected person since symptoms are not visible and common.

Who should get Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine?

There are some groups with an increased risk of infection. These include students at post-high school centers, all adults without evidence of immunity; international travelers; especially if going to a region with active infection, healthcare professionals or people who live/work with the immunocompromised.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella  (MMR) Symptoms

Rubella has generally mild symptoms: headache, pink eye, cough and fever are common. Mumps is a virus known for its symptoms of puffy cheeks and a swollen jaw. Rubella has generally mild symptoms. Headache, pink eye, cough and fever are common. As symptoms, you can get a rash and fever for 2 to 3 days. Some people do not feel sick. If a pregnant woman gets Rubella virus, her baby could have birth defects such as deafness, cataracts, heart defects, mental disabilities, and even organ damage.

What can travellers do to Prevent the Disease?

1.  Make sure you are fully vaccinated or otherwise protected against measles.
2. Infants 6-11 months of age should have 1 dose of measles vaccine if travelling internationally.
3. Children 12 months of age or older should have 2 doses, separated by at least 28 days.
4. Adolescents and adults who have not had Rubella or have not been vaccinated with MMR should get 2 doses, separated by at least 28 days.
5.  Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) has been used safely and effectively since the 1970s. But a few people experience mild, temporary, adverse reactions from the vaccine, such as joint pain; but serious side effects are extremely rare. There is no link between MMR and autism.
6. Practice hygiene and cleanliness. Wash your hands often if soap and water are not available, and clean your hands with hand sanitiser (containing at least 60% alcohol).
7. Prevent touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to connect your face, ensure your hands are clean.
8. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
9. Try to avoid close contact, such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with people who are sick.

Japanese Encephalitis

What is Japanese Encephalitis and How does it Spread?

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a flavivirus related to dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile viruses, and is spread by mosquitoes. There is no cure for the disease. Treatment is focused on relieving severe clinical signs and supporting the patient to overcome the infection. Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent JE. WHO recommends that JE vaccination be integrated into national immunization schedules in all areas where JE disease is recognized as a public health issue.

What is Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine and why should Travelers get the vaccine?

Japanese Encephalitis vaccine is a vaccine that protects against Japanese Encephalitis. The vaccines are more than 90% effective. The duration of protection with the vaccine is not clear but its effectiveness appears to decrease over time. Doses are given either by injection into a muscle or just under the skin. Travellers who go to Asia are at risk of getting Japanese encephalitis. You are at higher risk if you are traveling to rural areas; will be outside frequently, or will be traveling for a long period of time. In mild climates in northern Asia, the risk for JE is greater in the summer and fall. In tropical and subtropical areas, there is a risk year-round.

Who Should get the Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine?

Japanese Encephalitis vaccine is approved for people 2 months of age and older. It is recommended for travellers to Asia who:
Plan to spend at least a month in areas where JE occurs. Plan to travel for less than a month, but will visit rural areas and spend a lot of time outdoors, travel to areas where there is a JE outbreak. Laboratory workers at risk for exposure to the JE virus should also be vaccinated. The vaccine is given as a 2-dose series, with the doses spaced 28 days apart. The second dose should be given at least a week before travel. Children younger than 3 years of age should get a smaller dose than patients who are 3 or older.

NOTE: The best way to prevent JE is to avoid mosquito bites. Your travel health provider can advise you.

Japanese Encephalitis Symptoms

1. Initial symptoms often include fever, headache, and vomiting.
   
2. Mental status changes, neurologic symptoms, weakness, and movement disorders might develop over the next few days.
   
3. Seizures are common, especially among children.

What can Travellers do to Prevent the Disease?

1. Travellers can protect themselves from JE by getting JE vaccine.
   
2. Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
   
3. Use an appropriate insect repellent as directed.
   
4. Stay and sleep in screened or air-conditioned rooms.
   
5. Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

Malaria

What is Malaria and how Does it Spread?

Malaria is a feverish illness and it is a mosquito-borne disease spread through a mosquito bite from a female Anopheles mosquito that is infected with a Plasmodium parasite; left untreated, it can be fatal.

What is Malaria Vaccine and why Should Travellers get the Vaccine?

Antimalarials or malaria pills prevent the malaria parasite from taking root in the body. Unlike a vaccination, antimalarials must be taken on a regular basis.

Who Should get the Malaria Vaccine

Anyone traveling to a region with malaria-like most of Subsaharan Africa and parts of North Africa, South East Asia/East Asia/Middle East, Central & South America, the Caribbean including Haiti and the Dominican Republic & Ports of Mexico and some Pacific island should consider antimalarial medication. Even if you were born in a country with Malaria and since moved to Canada.

Malaria Fever Symptoms

1. The flu-like symptoms of Malaria usually appear seven to 18 days after infection.
2. Cold Stage – Individuals experience a sensation of cold and shivering.
3. Hot Stage – Commonly this starts with fever, headaches, and vomiting. Seizures can occur in young children.
   
4. Sweating Stage – after the sweating stage, the temperature returns to normal; tiredness is a common symptom. 

What can travellers do to Prevent the Disease?

1. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats to cover exposed skin.
2. Follow product directions always and re-apply as directed.
3. Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents).
4. Sleeping in screened or air-conditioned rooms.
5. Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.
   
6. Make kids aware to stay away from wild animals such as bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes

Rabies

What is Rabies and How does it spread?

Rabies is a contagious and fatal viral disease of dogs and other mammals transmissible through the saliva to humans and causing madness and convulsions. Travellers can become infected through the virus that is spread in the saliva of infected animals.

What is Rabies Vaccine and Why should Travellers get the Vaccine?

Vaccination against rabies is used in two distinct situations: the vaccines used for pre-exposure and post-exposure are the same but the immunization schedule differs. They can be used to prevent Rabies before and for a period of time after exposure to the virus such as by a dog or bat bite. Doses are usually given by injection into the skin or muscle. Anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to the Rabies virus must get medical care right away. Doctors give two shots as soon as possible: Rabies immune globulin. This provides protection right away while the vaccine starts working. The Rabies vaccine is given as a series of four doses, on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 (day 0 is the day of the first dose). People with a weakened immune system get an extra dose on day 28.

Who Should get the Rabies Vaccine?

Contact with wild or domestic animals will put you at risk of Rabies; Spending a lot of time outdoors (such as campers and cavers), Children are also at higher risk because they often play with animals, and travellers with occupational risks (such as veterinarians and wildlife professionals). If travelling to a country where there is an increased incidence of rabies, especially in canine populations; rabies pre-exposure vaccination may be recommended. Rabies vaccination should also be considered if you will be spending lots of time outdoors in rural areas or plan to handle animals. Before travelling abroad, consult your doctor or a travel clinic about your risk of exposure to rabies and how to handle an exposure should it arise.

Rabies Fever Symptoms

1. The first symptoms of Rabies can appear from a few days to more than a year after the bite happens. At first, there’s a tingling, prickling, or itching feeling around the bite area.
2. A person also might have flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, loss of appetite, nausea, and tiredness.
3. They can also feel irritability or aggressiveness, excessive movements or agitation, confusion, bizarre or strange thoughts, and hallucinations.
4. Muscle spasms and unusual postures can happen along with seizures (convulsions), weakness or paralysis, and extreme sensitivity to bright lights can also occur.

What can travelers do to prevent the disease?

1. Immediately: Wash the bite area well with soap and water and cover the bite with a clean bandage.
2. Call your doctor right away and go to the nearest emergency department. Anyone with a possible rabies infection must be treated in a hospital.
3. Get a rabies vaccine
4. Avoid touching all animals, including wild animals and pets.
5. Pets in other countries may not be vaccinated against rabies
   
6. Make kids aware to  help them stay away from wild animals such as bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes

Typhoid

What is Typhoid Fever and How does it spread?

Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria. People who are actively ill with typhoid fever and people who are carriers of the bacteria that cause typhoid fever can both spread the bacteria to other people. Travelers can become infected through contaminated food and water through close contact with someone who’s infected.

What is Typhoid Vaccine and Why should Travelers get the vaccine?

There are two vaccines to prevent typhoid fever. One is an inactivated (killed) vaccine and the other is alive, attenuated (weakened) vaccine. Your health care provider can help you decide which type of typhoid vaccine is best for you.
Travelers to Asia, Africa, and Latin America are especially at risk, and the highest risk for typhoid is in south Asia.

Who should get Typhoid Vaccine?

People traveling to places where typhoid fever is common, such as South Asia, especially India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh should take the vaccination Typhoid vaccines to lose effectiveness over time. The injectable vaccine requires a booster every 2 years, and the oral vaccine requires a booster every 5 years. If you were vaccinated in the past, ask your doctor if it is time for a booster vaccination. Taking antibiotics will not prevent typhoid fever; they only help treat it.

Typhoid Fever Symptoms

1. fever,
2. chills,
3. severe headache,
4. nausea, 
5. In severe cases, jaundice, bleeding or even organ failure.

What can travelers do to prevent the disease?

1. Get vaccinated
2. Prevent mosquito bites. In case if you are bitten by mosquitoes, avoid scratching mosquito bites and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce itching.
3. Use mosquito repellents, protective clothing, and mosquito netting when and where required.