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Emerging infectious diseases and risk to the traveler

D O Freedman1, J Woodall

  • 1Department of Medicine, Microbiology, and Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.

The Medical Clinics of North America
|August 24, 1999
PubMed

Insights

This article reviews emerging infections relevant to travelers, offering insights for medical providers. It details disease emergence and specific pathogens posing new risks for international travel.

Area of Science:

  • Global Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Travel Medicine

Background:

  • International travel facilitates the spread of infectious diseases.
  • Emerging pathogens pose evolving risks to global public health.
  • Understanding travel-related infection risks is crucial for preventative healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between international travel and the emergence of infectious diseases.
  • To provide an overview of disease emergence and specific pathogens relevant to travelers.
  • To inform medical providers on counseling patients about travel-related infection risks.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature on emerging infectious diseases and travel.
  • Infection-by-infection examination of selected emerging pathogens.
  • Assessment of pathogen risk based on traveler data and scientific interest.

Main Results:

  • Identified key emerging pathogens posing significant or new risks to travelers.
  • Discussed pathogens of potential concern despite limited traveler-specific data.
  • Addressed novel pathogens with minimal traveler risk but frequent patient inquiries.

Conclusions:

  • Travel medicine requires continuous updates on emerging infectious disease threats.
  • Medical providers need to be informed about both high-risk and frequently asked-about pathogens.
  • Proactive patient counseling is essential for mitigating travel-related health risks.

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