"Vaccinations Are Advised": Warnings for Travellers Issued by Expert
Rewritten Article:
Traveling to foreign climes calls for Kazakhstanis to prioritize their health, especially with regards to vaccinations. Here's the 411 on vaccines, direct from expert Jeanne Praleeva.
First off, many hot-weather, tropical destinations can introduce hazardous infections through contaminated water, food, and unclean hands. So, the go-to solution is getting your essential jabs. Praleeva, the deputy head of Astana's sanitation and epidemiological control department, suggests starting vaccinations 4-8 weeks prior to your travel date, as per the World Health Organization's guidelines.
Yellow Fever
A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is compulsory for entrance to specific countries like Gabon, Congo, Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad, South Sudan, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Guyana. Praleeva cautions that yellow fever is a dangerous and incurable disease spread through mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical regions.
Meningococcal Infection
Central Africa and South America are hotspots for this potentially fatal infection. Passed through the air, meningococcal infection often leads to fatalities. Some countries require a certificate of vaccination for entry.
Typhoid Fever
Prone to infiltrating African, South American, and Asian countries due to poor hygiene conditions, typhoid fever wreaks havoc on your intestines. To stay protected from this, vaccinate yourself approximately 10-14 days before departure.
Tick-borne Encephalitis
Spread through infected ticks found in regions of Kazakhstan, Russia, Europe, and Asia, Tick-borne encephalitis can lead to permanent harm or even death. Praleeva recommends getting vaccinated before visiting endemic areas.
Praleeva urges Kazakhstanis not to downplay the significance of vaccinations when traveling to certain countries. Here's a fun fact: Recently, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Health reported an uptick in measles and whooping cough cases, with a whopping 75% and 87% of cases occurring among kids who skipped their scheduled vaccinations.
Tips for Healthy Travel
To enjoy vacay vibes without health woes, remember to:
- Hydrate yourself and slather on the sunscreen (with an SPF of 15 or above) to fight dehydration and sunburn.
- Use insect repellents and dress modestly to dodge mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria or dengue fever.
- Watch out for food and water infections by avoiding consuming untreated water or undercooked food.
Consult a healthcare provider for a tailored vaccine prescription and guidance based on your travel destination and planned activities. Stay healthy, folks!
Jeanette Praleeva. Education: 1991-1997, Karaganda State Medical Institute, Sanitation, Hygiene, Epidemiology. Work experience since 1997, over 28 years. Since 2021, has been working as Deputy Head of the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of Astana.
In case you missed it, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Health recently raised the alarm on measuring and whooping cough instances. According to their records, 75% of measles cases and 87% of whooping cough cases are among unvaccinated children.
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Insights: Some less common but important recommendations from the expert during interviews included getting vaccinated against hepatitis A (advised for travel to developing countries with poor sanitation), rabies (especially relevant for travelers coming into contact with animals in hot climates), and meningitis during peak season in specific regions (such as sub-Saharan Africa during the dry season). In hot climates, extra care should be taken to ensure adequate hydration and sun protection, avoid consuming untreated water or undercooked food, and use insect repellents and protective clothing to minimize the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.
- When traveling to tropical or subtropical regions, Kazakhstanis should prioritize vaccinations, such as the ones against yellow fever, meningococcal infection, typhoid fever, and tick-borne encephalitis, as suggested by health expert Jeanette Praleeva.
- For those visiting countries where yellow fever is prevalent, a certificate of vaccination against this disease is mandatory for entry, as cautioned by Praleeva.
- Central Africa and South America are hotspots for the potentially fatal meningococcal infection, which can be prevented with vaccination, though some countries require a certificate for entry.
- Typhoid fever, common in African, South American, and Asian countries due to poor hygiene, can be combated by getting vaccinated approximately 10-14 days before travel, as advised by Praleeva.
- To avoid tick-borne encephalitis, a disease transmitted by infected ticks in regions of Kazakhstan, Russia, Europe, and Asia, Praleeva recommends getting vaccinated before visiting endemic areas. Health-conscious travelers should also be mindful of hydration, sun protection, and avoidance of untreated water or undercooked food when visiting hot climates.
