Plan for safe and healthy travel this summer by staying informed and taking proper health precautions.
Tips
Before You Go
- Let friends and relative know about your plans. Share your itinerary and contact numbers with friends and family in case of emergency (and don't leave home without your phone charger).
Some airlines offer free travel plan registration, and if you're traveling to another country, there's even a free service from the State Department
that lets you register your travel plans in order to provide better help in an emergency.
Find out more - Prepare a traveler's health kit before you go that contains essential items while you're away from home. The CDC has a sample travelers' kit that's an excellent guide to what you should carry.
Find out more - Expecting? If you're pregnant and traveling, where you go and how you get there are important considerations.
Advice for Pregnant Travelers from the CDC
As You Travel
- Whether you're riding or flying, sitting for long periods of time can raise your risk of dangerous blood clots. Age, health and other circumstances can increase that risk even further.
Read more about Deep Vein Thrombosis
When You Arrive
- Wherever you go, hand hygiene is important at all times. Travel exposes you to more environments and people than usual, and that means more potential infections.
Wash your hands frequently when you can, and carry waterless hand sanitizer with you when you're out.
More about handwashing for health - Mosquitoes carry a variety of diseases, and are common in all states and areas of the world. Take the same precautions that you would at home, starting with an effective mosquito repellent.
Traveling Abroad
Always plan on obtaining the necessary travel vaccinations well in advance of your trip — at least 6 weeks. Our Epidemiology division at (601) 576-7725 can answer your international travel questions and advise you on necessary vaccinations.
- Vaccinations for International Travel
- CDC Travelers' Health Information
- Smart Traveler Enrollment ProgramReceive important information from the U.S. State Department about safety conditions in your destination country
Measles and International Travel
In recent years, adults and children who have not been immunized against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine have contracted measles as a result of travel overseas.
Vaccination against measles is recommended before travel outside the United States for those six months of age and older.
Measles vaccinations are available from physicians and pediatricians. MMR vaccinations for children under 18 years old are also available from county health departments by calling MSDH's services and appointments line at 855-767-0170.
