During the Spring Festival holiday period, people travel abroad and visit relatives frequently. The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter referred to as CDC) urges that recent global outbreaks of influenza, measles, dengue fever, and chikungunya are ongoing or intensifying. International travelers need to be aware of infection risks. Before traveling abroad, people can visit the CDC website’s “International Travel Prescription” to check the latest international epidemic information and travel precautions for their destination, complete required vaccinations and prepare medications before departure, implement various preventive measures during the trip, and monitor their own health after returning to ensure the health of themselves and their families.
CDC monitoring data shows that global influenza activity remains high, with neighboring countries such as Japan and South Korea showing an upward trend, and Hong Kong and parts of China at relatively high or moderate levels of circulation. Novel influenza A was reported last year in China, Cambodia, and the United States with human infection cases, many associated with contact with poultry or other susceptible animals. Regarding measles, cases have continued to occur over the past two months in the United States, Canada, Mexico, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The global COVID‑19 positivity rate has slightly decreased recently, but it has increased in Southeast Asia; the epidemics in neighboring China and Japan are rising, and the predominant global circulating variant is XFG. The public is reminded that if planning to travel to the aforementioned regions, they should assess the need for relevant vaccinations, practice hand hygiene and cough etiquette, wear masks in crowded or poorly ventilated places to reduce the risk of respiratory infections, and avoid contact with poultry and wildlife.
The CDC notes that mosquito‑borne diseases such as dengue fever and chikungunya continue to affect many countries in Southeast Asia and the Americas. Travelers are urged to take mosquito protection measures, including wearing light‑colored long‑sleeved clothing, using government‑approved insect repellents, and choosing accommodations with screens on windows and doors. Africa, as well as India and Indonesia in Asia, also continue to report malaria cases; if planning to travel to these endemic areas, it is essential to consult a travel medicine clinic at least one month in advance to assess whether prophylactic medication is needed and to take the medication as prescribed.
The CDC urges that when enjoying local cuisine while traveling, people should pay attention to food hygiene, favor cooked and hot foods, drink bottled or boiled water, and wash hands frequently with soap to reduce the risk of foodborne diseases such as cholera, acute viral hepatitis A, norovirus, and enteroviruses. In addition, the global monkeypox outbreak continues; the public should practice self‑protection, avoid social settings where close contact with unknown individuals may occur, and be vigilant for symptoms in themselves or others to reduce exposure risk.
The CDC reminds travelers to monitor their health while abroad. If, upon entry, they experience fever, diarrhea, rash, or respiratory discomfort—possible symptoms—they should proactively inform airport quarantine personnel. If related symptoms appear within 21 days after returning, they should wear a mask, seek medical care promptly, and inform the physician of their travel and exposure history. For any questions regarding infectious disease prevention and control, you can consult the CDC’s Global Website “International Travel and Health Section” (https://gov.tw/Gq7) or call the toll‑free epidemic prevention hotline 1922 (0800‑001922).
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Data compiled: Infectious Disease Management Office
