My goodness. What a world we are living in. On top of all the other challenges we are currently dealing with, along comes the swine flu. Given the uncanny ability of viruses to wander from country to country, it is only natural that travelers taking to the international skies are a bit skittish these days.
Whether the threat is a pox, political unrest, or a pending tropical storm, Jane would like to tell you, dear reader, about several online resources that any international traveler should keep on her Favorites list.
First is http://travel.state.gov (skip the www). Operated by the United States Department of State, this site contains a full list of travel alerts and travel warnings on a country-by-country basis. Travel alerts are issued to provide information about short-term conditions, generally within a particular country, that pose imminent risks to the security of U.S. citizens. Natural disasters, terrorist attacks, coups, anniversaries of terrorist events, election-related demonstrations, and high-profile events such as international conferences or major sports events are examples of conditions that might generate an alert. Swine flu, for example, merits a travel alert for Mexico.
Travel warnings are issued to describe long-term conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable. A travel warning may also be issued when the U.S. government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate. Among the countries currently on the travel warning list are Yemen, Pakistan, and Sudan.
Some travelers like to consult sources beyond those provided by the U.S. government. If you fall into this group, you might want to check out a couple of other sites for a broader perspective. The Canadian government's travel alert site is www.voyages.gc.ca/countries_pays/menu-eng.asp. The Australian government's travel advisory service can be found at www.smarttraveller.gov.au. For more English language travel advice, the United Kingdom offers www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas.
For those looking specifically for international health information, Jane recommends two sites. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website (www.cdc.gov) is another excellent source for updates on health concerns around the world. At www.cdc.gov/travel, there is health information for more than 200 countries. The intelligence includes current outbreaks, necessary vaccines, suggested medications to bring to various places, and other health and safety tips. For a second opinion, The World Health Organization provides solid information for travelers at www.who.int/ith/en/.
