Staying Healthy While Traveling This Summer

Another potential threat when traveling to warmer and tropical climates is malaria. World Malaria Day on April 25 provides us with an important reminder to think about how to protect ourselves while traveling. According to the CDC, approximately 1,500 cases of malaria are diagnosed in the United States each year, and the majority of those cases come from travelers and immigrants returning stateside. Before going abroad, or for organizations with employees in high-risk areas, understand the best way to protect yourself and your travel companions. Similar to the Zika virus, common prevention measures include avoiding mosquito bites through insect repellents, using insecticide-treated nets and taking specific medicine to prevent malaria, ensuring compliance. Seasoned travelers are the biggest culprit at risk as they don’t take correct precautions. In fact, one in three Americans admitted to not researching diseases prior to traveling abroad.