SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. - A report from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says that it is the responsibility of employers and employees to ensure travel health before, during, and after any type of travel, regardless of whether the trip is business related.
According to estimates provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 35% of all travel is business related, but travel related diseases have an equal spread across all demographics due to a lack of proper pre-travel medical care.
"The failure of travelers to receive preventive medication results in unnecessary illness, medical expense, and the potential spread of contagious diseases within their local communities," says the report. Employers are encouraged to identify employees who may travel internationally and to refer them to qualified health care professionals for the purpose of providing helpful travel health information and vaccinations that could protect both traveling employees and others in the workplace environment.
Employees traveling to developing countries or high risk areas are asked to take specific precautions by OSHA and the CDC, including:
- Speak with a travel health specialist and receive any necessary vaccinations and preventative medicines.
- Be sure to receive booster vaccinations against any disease for which immunity may have diminished over the years such as: yellow fever, tetanus, and/or typhoid fever.
- Do not handle animals in the region, especially monkeys, dogs and cats to avoid bites and potentially contracting rabies.
- Drink bottled or boiled water, and avoid tap water or ice that may be contaminated.
