Emerging Infectious Diseases

What are emerging infectious diseases?

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, emerging infectious diseases are commonly defined as:

diseases that have newly appeared in a population.
diseases that have existed in the past, but are rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range.

More specifically, as defined by the Institute of Medicine Report, "Emerging Infections: Microbial Threats to Health in the United States," emerging diseases are:

...those whose incidence in humans has increased within the past two decades or threatens to increase in the near future. Emergence may be due to the spread of a new agent, to the recognition of an infection that has been present in the population but has gone undetected, or to the realization that an established disease has an infectious origin. Emergence may also be used to describe the reappearance (or reemergence) of a known infection after a decline in incidence.

Re-emergence may also occur because of breakdowns in public health measures for previously controlled infections.

Emerging diseases include: AIDS, SARS, Lyme disease, Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli), hantavirus, and others.
Re-emerging diseases include: malaria, tuberculosis, cholera, pertussis, influenza, pneumococcal disease, gonorrhea, and others.

Travelers should be aware that some diseases thought to be under control in the United States may be experiencing a outbreak in other countries. Ask for information and take precautions before being exposed to one of these diseases.

What is the risk of emerging infectious diseases?

Traveling abroad can put you at risk for infectious diseases that are not widespread in the United States. Travelers who become ill in a country where treatment for these diseases may be somewhat limited is even more at risk. All persons planning travel should become informed about the potential hazards of the countries they are traveling to and learn how to minimize their risk of acquiring these diseases.

Why are travel-related infectious diseases on the rise?

It is believed that increased global travel is the reason for the recent resurgence of many infectious diseases in the United States. The number of persons traveling internationally is increasing every year, and more persons are taking trips to remote parts of the world, which often have unfamiliar and exotic health problems with underdeveloped healthcare services. Many travelers are also unaware of potential hazards in different parts of the world and do not take the necessary precautions, such as obtaining necessary vaccines or preventive medicine.

Many of the newly discovered infections have actually been in existence for a long time, but physicians have not seen them in areas where new outbreaks occur. With people's ability today to travel anywhere in the world within 36 hours or less, formerly little-known infections are picked up and rapidly spread to areas where they previously did not exist.

How can travelers minimize their risk from infectious diseases?

Travel abroad does not need to result in an illness from infectious diseases. Taking these measures can help minimize the risk to persons traveling internationally:

Seek information as far before traveling as possible, even if the destination is one you have previously visited. Health conditions can change quickly in certain areas of the world. Get as much information as possible about health risks for the country or countries you are visiting and learn about special risks for children, pregnant women, persons with chronic diseases, and persons with weakened immune systems who might be traveling with you.
Get the immunizations and preventive medications needed. Since some of these must be administered or taken weeks before travel, contact your physician as early as possible to ensure the effectiveness of these measures.
If medication is needed for prevention of malaria, be sure to take it as prescribed. Follow dosage instructions carefully, taking the first few doses before leaving home, continuing treatment during your trip and after you return.
Put together a traveler's first-aid kit with specific items geared to your destinations and to last the duration of your trip. Your physician can help you and more information is provided in this module.
Research emergency medical care during your trip and what medical evacuation services are available in case of serious illness. Contact your health insurance plan to find out what is covered in other countries. If you are traveling as part of an organized tour, contact the agency regarding medical services available and any additional insurance that might be available.
Follow the guidelines for Staying Healthy While Traveling included in this module.

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Online Resources of Travel Medicine

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