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Health Precautions
To find the most current travel health information, we recommend
that you contact the Center
for Disease Control at (404) 639-2888. U.K. residents may also
contact the U.K.
Department of Health.
Your Tropical Disease Center, internist, or infection disease specialist will also be able to advise you on the most current travel health requirements. Be sure to see your doctor 4-6 weeks before your program to allow time for the immunizations to take effect.
The following recommendations come directly from the Center for Disease Control. The following is a summary of the CDC recommendations. This list is just a recommendation; most immunizations are not required, unless otherwise indicated. Pregnant women or children under the age of 12 should check with their doctors prior to any travel.
Y= Yes/recommended immunization
N/A = Not applicable
C = Consider
R = Required
| |
Costa Rica |
China |
Brazil |
Ghana |
India |
Peru |
Russia |
Tanzania |
Thailand |
| Hepatitis A or immune
globulin (IG) |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Hepatitis B |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
C |
Y |
N/A |
Y |
Y |
| Rabies - if you might
be exposed to wild or domestic animals |
C |
C |
Y |
Y |
C |
Y |
C |
C |
C |
Update on normal childhood vaccines: |
| |
Costa Rica |
China |
Brazil |
Ghana |
India |
Peru |
Russia |
Tanzania |
Thailand |
| Tetanus (booster dose) |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y - R |
Y |
Y |
| Diphtheria (booster dose) |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y - R |
Y |
Y |
| Measles (booster dose) |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Y |
Y |
| Mumps |
N/A |
N/A |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| Rubella (MMR vaccine) |
N/A |
N/A |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| Pertussis (DTP vaccine) |
N/A |
N/A |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| Polio vaccine |
N/A |
N/A |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
C |
Y |
Y |
| Typhoid |
N/A |
Y |
Y |
Y |
C |
Y |
C |
Y |
Y - highly advisable |
| Yellow Fever - if outside
urban areas |
N/A |
N/A |
Y - for travel to Amazon
region |
Y - R |
N/A |
Y - for travel to Amazon
region |
N/A |
Y - R if transiting from any other African country (inc. airport transfers) |
N/A |
| Meningococcal (meningitis) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Y |
C |
N/A |
N/A |
Y - R for travel to
western Ethiopia |
Y |
| Anti-malaria medication |
Y - for travel to some
areas |
Y - for travel to some
areas |
Y - for travel to some
areas |
Y |
C |
Y - for travel to Amazon
region |
N/A |
Y |
Y - for travel to some
areas |
| Japanese encephalitis
- if traveling to rural areas for longer than 4 weeks |
N/A |
Y |
N/A |
N/A |
C |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Y |
| Cholera |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
C |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Other Health Precautions: |
| |
Costa Rica |
China |
Brazil |
Ghana |
India |
Peru |
Russia |
Tanzania |
Thailand |
Can I drink the tap water?
We provide bottled water for all volunteers in all countries. |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
| Pay special attention
to the prevention of insect bites, and use bug spray containing deet. |
N/A |
Y |
Y - for travel to Amazon
region |
Y |
Y |
Y - for travel to Amazon
region |
Y - in forested areas |
Y |
Y |
| Other interesting health-related
tips |
|
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Red palm oil, used in local
cuisine, can take getting used to |
|
Make sure any street food
you eat is well-cooked |
Cocoa tea can help remedy
altitude sickness |
Testing for tuberculosis,
syphilis and HIV/AIDS with a doctor's signature is also required for
the volunteer program |
Do not handle animals or
swim in fresh water |
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*Russia:
An additional medical document is required by the Russian Government, called the International Medical Statement. You will be sent this document after you enroll in a CCS Russia program. A doctor's signature is required as a verification that you are healthy enough to work with children and the elderly. A Cross-Cultural Solutions staff member will guide you through this process.
Below are a few excerpts on food and water precautions issued by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
To avoid illness, food should be selected with care. All raw food is subject to contamination. The traveler should be advised to avoid salads, uncooked vegetables, unpasteurized milk and to eat only food that has been cooked and is still hot, or fruit that has been peeled by the traveler. Undercooked and raw meat, fish, and shellfish may carry various intestinal pathogens. Cooked food that has been allowed to stand for several hours at ambient temperatures may provide a fertile medium for bacterial growth and should be thoroughly reheated before serving.
Some species of fish and shellfish can contain poisonous biotoxins, even when well cooked. The most common type of fish poisoning in travelers is ciguatera fish poisoning. Barracuda is the most toxic fish and should always be avoided. Red snapper, grouper, amberjack, sea bass, and a wide range of tropical reef fish contain the toxin at unpredictable times.
Memorize this phrase: "Eat hot cooked foods and fruits that you peel yourself." If it does not meet one of these criteria, don't eat it. Breads and toast that have cooled are also safe as long as they are not stored in open areas prone to flies or water.
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