GeoSentinel Surveillance Network Research Articles

Healthcare seeking during travel: an analysis by the GeoSentinel surveillance network of travel medicine providers.

International travellers may seek care abroad to address health problems that arise during their trip or plan healthcare outside their country of residence as medical tourists. Data were collected on travellers evaluated at GeoSentinel Network sites who reported healthcare during travel. Both unplanned and planned healthcare were analysed, including the reason and nature of healthcare sought, characteristics of the treatment provided and outcomes. Travellers that presented for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis were described elsewhere and were excluded from detailed analysis. From May 2017 through June 2020, after excluding travellers obtaining rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (n= 415), 1093 travellers reported care for a medical or dental issue that was an unanticipated part of the travellers' planned itinerary (unplanned healthcare). Travellers who sought unplanned healthcare abroad had frequent diagnoses of acute diarrhoea, dengue, falciparum malaria and unspecified viral syndrome, and obtained care in 131 countries. Thirty-four (3%) reported subsequent deterioration and 230 (21%) reported no change in condition; a third (n = 405; 37%) had a pre-travel health encounter. Forty-one travellers had sufficient data on planned healthcare abroad for analysis. The most common destinations were the US, France, Dominican Republic, Belgium and Mexico. The top reasons for their planned healthcare abroad were unavailability of procedure at home (n = 9; 19%), expertise abroad (n = 9; 19%), lower cost (n = 8; 17%) and convenience (n = 7; 15%); a third (n = 13; 32%) reported cosmetic or surgical procedures. Early and late complications occurred in 14 (33%) and 4 (10%) travellers, respectively. Four travellers (10%) had a pre-travel health encounter. International travellers encounter health problems during travel that often could be prevented by pre-travel consultation. Travellers obtaining planned healthcare abroad can experience negative health consequences associated with treatments abroad, for which pre-travel consultations could provide advice and potentially help to prevent complications.

Dengue outbreak amongst travellers returning from Cuba-GeoSentinel surveillance network, January-September 2022.

Increasing numbers of travellers returning from Cuba with dengue virus infection were reported to the GeoSentinel Network from June to September 2022, reflecting an ongoing local outbreak. This report demonstrates the importance of travellers as sentinels of arboviral outbreaks and highlights the need for early identification of travel-related dengue.

Acute hepatitis A in international travellers: a GeoSentinel analysis, 2008-2020.

BackgroundNon-immune international travellers are at risk of acquiring hepatitis A. Although hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for unvaccinated travellers to high or intermediate hepatitis A virus endemicity, compliance with this recommendation is not universal.The main objective was to describe the demographic and travel characteristics of international travellers infected with hepatitis A during travel.MethodsAvailable data on travellers with confirmed (positive molecular test) or probable (symptomatic individuals with a single positive IgM test) hepatitis A diagnosed during and after travel from January 2008 to December 2020 were obtained from the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network database. We analysed demographic and travel characteristics of infected travellers.ResultsAmong 254 travellers with hepatitis A (185 confirmed and 69 probable), the median age was 28 years (interquartile range: 19–40), 150 (59%) were male, and among 54 travellers with information available, 53 (98%) were unvaccinated. The most common reasons for travel included tourism (n = 120; 47%) and visiting friends or relatives (VFR; n = 72; 28%). About two-thirds of VFR travellers with hepatitis A (n = 50; 69%) were younger than 20 years old. Hepatitis A was acquired most frequently in South-Central Asia (n = 63; 25%) and sub-Saharan Africa (n = 61; 24%), but 16 travellers (6%) acquired hepatitis A in regions with low endemicity including Western Europe (n = 7; 3%), the Caribbean (n = 6; 2%) and North America (n = 3; 1%). Median duration from illness onset to GeoSentinel site presentation was ~7 days (interquartile range : 4–14 days). Among 88 travellers with information available, 59% were hospitalized.ConclusionsDespite availability of highly effective vaccines, travellers still acquire hepatitis A, even when traveling to low-endemicity destinations. Providing pre-departure hepatitis A vaccine to susceptible travellers is crucial to reducing travel-associated hepatitis A and should be offered to all travellers as part of the pre-travel consultation, regardless of destination.

Travel-related hepatitis E: a two-decade GeoSentinel analysis.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is widely distributed worldwide and is endemic in developing countries. Travel-related HEV infection has been reported at national levels, but global data are missing. Moreover, the global availability of HEV diagnostic testing has not been explored so far. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiology of HEV infections in returning travellers and availability of HEV diagnostic testing in the GeoSentinel surveillance network. This was a multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study. All confirmed and probable HEV travel-related infections reported in the GeoSentinel Network between 1999 and 2018 were evaluated. GeoSentinel sites were asked to complete a survey in 2018 to assess the availability and accessibility of HEV diagnostic procedures (i.e. serology and molecular tests) throughout the study period. Overall, 165 travel-related HEV infections were reported, mainly since 2010 (60%) and in tourists (50%). Travellers were exposed to hepatitis E in 27 countries; most travellers (62%) were exposed to HEV in South Asia. One patient was pregnant at the time of HEV infection and 14 had a concomitant gastrointestinal infection. No deaths were reported. In the 51% of patients with information available, there was no pre-travel consultation. Among 44 GeoSentinel sites that responded to the survey, 73% have access to HEV serology at a local level, while 55% could perform (at a local or central level) molecular diagnostics. Reported access to HEV diagnostic testing is suboptimal among sites that responded to the survey; this could negatively affect diagnosing HEV. Pre-travel consultations before travel to South Asia and other low-income and high-prevalence areas with a focus on food and water precautions could be helpful in preventing hepatitis E infection. Improved HEV diagnostic capacity should be implemented to prevent and correctly diagnose travel-related HEV infection.

Where in the World Did You Get That Rash?

1. Panteha Eshtiaghi, HBSc* 2. Miriam Weinstein, MD, FRCPC† 1. *Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 2. †Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada * Abbreviations: ACD: : allergic contact dermatitis CD: : cercarial dermatitis CL: : cutaneous leishmaniasis CLM: : cutaneous larva migrans DF: : dengue fever HFMD: : hand, foot, and mouth disease HSV: : herpes simplex virus KD: : Kawasaki disease PCR: : polymerase chain reaction PR: : pityriasis rosea RT-PCR: : reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction The challenge to diagnose cutaneous eruptions and lesions in patients who have spent time in foreign countries is increasingly common. With the advent of increased global travel, foreign adoptions, immigration, and refugee seekers, rashes that were once relegated to the realm of the exotic and likely to show up in a tropical diseases clinic may now present to a general pediatrician. Furthermore, the pediatric traveler is at increased risk for dermatoses. (1) It behooves the practitioner to be aware of these skin findings, to be able to recognize them and distinguish them from other skin conditions. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Identify and classify rashes by main morphologic patterns. 2. Develop a broad differential diagnosis and diagnostic approach for a rash in a returned pediatric traveler based on initial morphology, history, epidemiology, and other clinical features. 3. Consider both infectious and noninfectious causes of skin disorders presenting in a patient with a travel history. 4. Outline the basic investigations and principles of management for travel-acquired and non–travel-acquired dermatologic illnesses. 5. Discuss …

Traveller exposures to animals: a GeoSentinel analysis.

Human coexistence with other animals can result in both intentional and unintentional contact with a variety of mammalian and non-mammalian species. International travellers are at risk for such encounters; travellers risk injury, infection and possibly death from domestic and wild animal bites, scratches, licks and other exposures. The aim of the present analysis was to understand the diversity and distribution of animal-related exposures among international travellers. Data from January 2007 through December 2018 from the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network were reviewed. Records were included if the exposure was non-migration travel with a diagnosis of an animal (dog, cat, monkey, snake or other) bite or other exposure (non-bite); records were excluded if the region of exposure was not ascertainable or if another, unrelated acute diagnosis was reported. A total of 6470 animal exposures (bite or non-bite) were included. The majority (71%) occurred in Asia. Travellers to 167 countries had at least one report of an animal bite or non-bite exposure. The majority (76%) involved dogs, monkeys and cats, although a wide range of wild and domestic species were involved. Almost two-thirds (62.6%) of 4395 travellers with information available did not report a pretravel consultation with a healthcare provider. Minimizing bites and other animal exposures requires education (particularly during pretravel consultations) and behavioral modification. These should be supplemented by the use of pre-exposure rabies vaccination for travellers to high-risk countries (especially to those with limited access to rabies immunoglobulin), as well as encouragement of timely (in-country) post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies and Macacine alphaherpesvirus 1 (herpesvirus B) when warranted.

Travel-associated chikungunya acquired in Myanmar in 2019.

Eighteen cases of chikungunya virus infection in travellers returning from Myanmar were reported to the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network, its subnetwork EuroTravNet and TropNet in 2019, reflecting an ongoing local outbreak. This report reinforces the importance of travellers as sentinels of emerging arboviral outbreaks and highlights the importance of vigilance for imported cases, due to the potential for dissemination of the virus into areas with competent local vectors and conducive environmental conditions.

Cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in travellers and migrants: a 20-year GeoSentinel Surveillance Network analysis.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) may be emerging among international travellers and migrants. Limited data exist on mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) in travellers. We describe the epidemiology of travel-associated CL and MCL among international travellers and immigrants over a 20-year period through descriptive analysis of GeoSentinel data. Demographic and travel-related data on returned international travellers diagnosed with CL or MCL at a GeoSentinel Surveillance Network site between 1 September 1997 and 31 August 2017 were analysed. A total of 955 returned travellers or migrants were diagnosed with travel-acquired CL (n = 916) or MCL during the study period, of whom 10% (n = 97) were migrants. For the 858 non-migrant travellers, common source countries were Bolivia (n = 156, 18.2%) and Costa Rica (n = 97, 11.3%), while for migrants, they were Syria (n = 34, 35%) and Afghanistan (n = 22, 22.7%). A total of 99 travellers (10%) acquired their disease on trips of ≤ 2weeks. Of 274 cases for which species identification was available, Leishmania Viannia braziliensis was the most well-represented strain (n = 117, 42.7%), followed by L. major (n = 40, 14.6%) and L. V. panamensis (n = 38, 13.9%). Forty cases of MCL occurred, most commonly in tourists (n = 29, 72.5%) and from Bolivia (n = 18, 45%). A total of 10% of MCL cases were acquired in the Old World. Among GeoSentinel reporting sites, CL is predominantly a disease of tourists travelling mostly to countries in Central and South America such as Bolivia where risk of acquiring L. V. braziliensis and subsequent MCL is high. The finding that some travellers acquired leishmaniasis on trips of short duration challenges the common notion that CL is a disease of prolonged travel. Migrants from areas of conflict and political instability, such as Afghanistan and Syria, were well represented, suggesting that as mass migration of refugees continues, CL will be increasingly encountered in intake countries.

Malaria in Canadian VFRs and migrants: surveillance report from CanTravBet, April 2013 — March 2018

Purpose: Background: Malaria continues to be a top travel-acquired cause of morbidity among ill returning VFRs and migrants to Canada. We examined the demographic and travel correlates of Canadian VFRs and migrants with malaria over a 5-year period to illuminate the characteristics of this disease in our traveling population. Methods & Materials: Methods: Data on returned VFR travelers and migrants presenting to a Canadian GeoSentinel Surveillance network (CanTravNet) site between April 2013 and March 2018 who were diagnosed with malaria were analyzed. Results: Results: Of 4434 VFR travelers and migrants in the CanTravNet database over the enrolment period, 308 (6.9%) were diagnosed with malaria, representing 3.4% of migrants (84/2478) and 11.5% of VFR travelers (224/1956), and, collectively, 64% (308/484) of all malaria cases reported. Median age of VFR travelers and migrants was 32 years (range 1–83 years; IQR 19–47 years), with males accounting for 57.8% of cases (n = 178), and females 42.2% (n = 130). Among VFR travelers and migrants with malaria, 27% (n = 84) traveled for migration while 73% (n = 224) traveled to VFR. Nigeria was the most common source country, accounting for 57 cases (18.5%), followed by Cameroon (n = 32, 10.4%), DRC (n = 23, 7.5%), Cote d’Ivoire (n = 22, 7.1%), Ghana (n = 19, 6.2%), and India (n = 19, 6.2%). Plasmodium falciparum was the most well represented species amongst malaria cases in migrants (n = 45, 54%) and VFRs (n = 169, 75%), followed by P. vivax (n = 17 [20%] in migrants, and n = 19 [8%] in VFRs). P. ovale accounted for 8% of total cases (n = 26), with 12 cases (14%) in migrants, and 14 (6%) in VFRs. Thirty-five cases (11.4%) of malaria in the cohort of returned VFRs and migrants were severe or complicated. Conclusion: Conclusions: VFR travelers and migrants account for the majority of malaria cases in travelers presenting to CanTravNet sites over 5 years, with severe malaria occurring in over 10% of cases. These data underscore the high potential for malaria-associated morbidity and mortality in VFR travelers and migrants, thus, clinicians should promptly exclude malaria when encountering fever in this population. West Africa continues to be the dominant source region for malaria imported to Canada.

GeoSentinel - A surveillance network of returning travelers and migrants

GeoSentinel is an emerging infectious disease network created as a joint project between the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). GeoSentinel has several major objectives including conducting surveillance for emerging infectious diseases; rapidly sharing novel data on emerging infections with participating sites, internet information services (e.g. ProMED), and public health authorities (e.g. CDC, ECDC, Public Health Agency of Canada); and analyzing, presenting, and publishing surveillance results collaboratively with CDC, GeoSentinel sites, and GeoSentinel's two regional subnetworks, CanTravNet and EuroTravNet. The GeoSentinel surveillance network provides robust data that defines the spectrum of illness and its relation to place of exposure for significant health risks facing travelers and migrants. There are currently 70 GeoSentinel sites in 30 countries and 210 Affiliate Members with a presence on every continent except Antarctica. The GeoSentinel database now contains nearly 300,000 patient records; these include 54% post-travel visits, 31% seen during travel, and 15% migrants. GeoSentinel has successfully identified new outbreaks over the last two decades including leptospirosis in participants in the Borneo Ecochallenge (2000), sarcocystis in travelers to Tionan Island, Malaysia (2010), an outbreak of dengue fever in Angola (2013), schistosomiasis in vacationers in Corsica (2014), and sentinel cases of Zika virus disease in Costa Rica (2016), Vietnam (2016), and several other destinations in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific in recent years. GeoSentinel has also characterized the risk for travelers to countries where major sporting events were planned such as the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil. In summary, GeoSentinel is a vibrant global surveillance system that has made important contributions to the identification of disease outbreaks and trends in infectious disease epidemiology among travelers and migrants. In addition, GeoSentinel has the potential, through the development of a biobank of clinical samples, to collaborate with high level laboratories in academia and government to identify new pathogens responsible for respiratory, gastrointestinal, and systemic infections. GeoSentinel translates clinical and epidemiological data into meaningful evidence that is of critical importance to the containment of the global spread of infection.

Business travel-associated illness: a GeoSentinel analysis.

Analysis of a large cohort of business travelers will help clinicians focus on frequent and serious illnesses. We aimed to describe travel-related health problems in business travelers. GeoSentinel Surveillance Network consists of 64 travel and tropical medicine clinics in 29 countries; descriptive analysis was performed on ill business travelers, defined as persons traveling for work, evaluated after international travel 1 January 1997 through 31 December 2014. Among 12 203 business travelers seen 1997-2014 (14 045 eligible diagnoses), the majority (97%) were adults aged 20-64 years; most (74%) reported from Western Europe or North America; two-thirds were male. Most (86%) were outpatients. Fewer than half (45%) reported a pre-travel healthcare encounter. Frequent regions of exposure were sub-Saharan Africa (37%), Southeast Asia (15%) and South Central Asia (14%). The most frequent diagnoses were malaria (9%), acute unspecified diarrhea (8%), viral syndrome (6%), acute bacterial diarrhea (5%) and chronic diarrhea (4%). Species was reported for 973 (90%) of 1079 patients with malaria, predominantly Plasmodium falciparum acquired in sub-Saharan Africa. Of 584 (54%) with malaria chemoprophylaxis information, 92% took none or incomplete courses. Thirteen deaths were reported, over half of which were due to malaria; others succumbed to pneumonia, typhoid fever, rabies, melioidosis and pyogenic abscess. Diarrheal illness was a major cause of morbidity. Malaria contributed substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly among business travelers to sub-Saharan Africa. Underuse or non-use of chemoprophylaxis contributed to malaria cases. Deaths in business travelers could be reduced by improving adherence to malaria chemoprophylaxis and targeted vaccination for vaccine-preventable diseases. Pre-travel advice is indicated for business travelers and is currently under-utilized and needs improvement.

Redefining priorities towards graded travel-related infectious disease research.

Our knowledge of the health problems and infections encountered by international travellers has evolved considerably in the past decades. The growth of global networks such as the GeoSentinel Surveillance network, TropNet Europe, EuroTravNet and networks based in North America have provided valuable information on the frequency of a wide array of travel-related diseases and accidents, including details on the destination of travel and trends over time. The information gained from these network studies has provided important data for the practice of travel medicine and in some instances for the development of practice guidelines. However, network data due to a lack of denominators usually cannot serve as a basis for a GRADE approach to guideline development. Although epidemiological network studies will continue to serve an important role in travel medicine we encourage an additional strong focus towards translational scientific research questions and towards the broader use of novel techniques to obtain more accurate epidemiological analyses to address the many unanswered questions in our field.

Zika beyond the Americas: Travelers as sentinels of Zika virus transmission. A GeoSentinel analysis, 2012 to 2016.

BackgroundZika virus (ZIKV) was first isolated in Africa; decades later, caused large outbreaks in the Pacific, and is considered endemic in Asia. We aim to describe ZIKV disease epidemiology outside the Americas, the importance of travelers as sentinels of disease transmission, and discrepancies in travel advisories from major international health organizations.Methods and findingsThis descriptive analysis using GeoSentinel Surveillance Network records involves sixty-four travel and tropical medicine clinics in 29 countries. Ill returned travelers with a confirmed or probable diagnosis of ZIKV disease acquired in Africa, Asia and the Pacific seen between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2016 are included, and the frequencies of demographic, trip, and diagnostic characteristics described. ZIKV was acquired in Asia (18), the Pacific (10) and Africa (1). For five countries (Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cameroon), GeoSentinel patients were sentinel markers of recent Zika activity. Additionally, the first confirmed ZIKV infection acquired in Kiribati was reported to GeoSentinel (2015), and a probable case was reported from Timor Leste (April 2016), representing the only case known to date. Review of Zika situation updates from major international health authorities for country risk classifications shows heterogeneity in ZIKV country travel advisories.ConclusionsTravelers are integral to the global spread of ZIKV, serving as sentinel markers of disease activity. Although GeoSentinel data are collected by specialized clinics and do not capture all imported cases, we show that surveillance of imported infections by returned travelers augments local surveillance system data regarding ZIKV epidemiology and can assist with risk categorization by international authorities. However, travel advisories are variable due to risk uncertainties.

Surveillance report of Zika virus among Canadian travellers returning from the Americas.

Widespread transmission of Zika virus in the Americas has occurred since late 2015. We examined demographic and travel-related characteristics of returned Canadian travellers with Zika infection acquired in the Americas to illuminate risk factors for acquisition and the clinical spectrum. We analyzed demographic and travel-related data for returned Canadian travellers who presented to a CanTravNet site between October 2015 and September 2016 for care of Zika virus acquired in the Americas. Data were collected with use of the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network data platform. During the study period, 1118 travellers presented to a CanTravNet site after returning from the Americas, 41 (3.7%) of whom had Zika infection. Zika infection from the Americas was diagnosed at CanTravNet sites as often as dengue (n = 41) over the study period. In the first half of the study period, Zika virus burden was borne by people visiting friends and relatives in South America. In the latter half, coincident with the increased spread of Zika throughout the Caribbean and Central America, Zika virus occurred more often in tourists in the Caribbean. Forty (98%) of the travellers with Zika infection acquired it through probable mosquito exposure, and 1 had confirmed sexual acquisition. Congenital transmission occurred in 2 of 3 pregnancies. Two (5%) of those with Zika had symptoms resembling those of Guillain-Barré syndrome, 1 of whom also had Zika viral meningitis. Even in this small cohort, we observed the full clinical spectrum of acute Zika virus, including adverse fetal and neurologic outcomes. Our observations suggest that complications from Zika infection are underestimated by data arising exclusively from populations where Zika is endemic. Travellers should adhere to mosquito-avoidance measures and barrier protection during sexual activity.

Local and International Implications of Schistosomiasis Acquired in Corsica, France.

We report 11 cases of schistosomiasis in international travelers who had bathed in rivers in Corsica, France, during 2012–2014. The infections were diagnosed in 2014 and reported to the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network and European Travel Medicine Network. Travelers can be sentinels for emerging infections; thus, this situation warrants a concerted human and veterinary epidemiologic response.

Differential Diagnosis of Illness in Travelers Arriving From Sierra Leone, Liberia, or Guinea: A Cross-sectional Study From the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network

The largest-ever outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD), ongoing in West Africa since late 2013, has led to export of cases to Europe and North America. Clinicians encountering ill travelers arriving from countries with widespread Ebola virus transmission must be aware of alternate diagnoses associated with fever and other nonspecific symptoms. To define the spectrum of illness observed in persons returning from areas of West Africa where EVD transmission has been widespread. Descriptive, using GeoSentinel records. 57 travel or tropical medicine clinics in 25 countries. 805 ill returned travelers and new immigrants from Sierra Leone, Liberia, or Guinea seen between September 2009 and August 2014. Frequencies of demographic and travel-related characteristics and illnesses reported. The most common specific diagnosis among 770 nonimmigrant travelers was malaria (n = 310 [40.3%]), with Plasmodium falciparum or severe malaria in 267 (86%) and non-P. falciparum malaria in 43 (14%). Acute diarrhea was the second most common diagnosis among nonimmigrant travelers (n = 95 [12.3%]). Such common diagnoses as upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, and influenza-like illness occurred in only 26, 9, and 7 returning travelers, respectively. Few instances of typhoid fever (n = 8), acute HIV infection (n = 5), and dengue (n = 2) were encountered. Surveillance data collected by specialist clinics may not be representative of all ill returned travelers. Although EVD may currently drive clinical evaluation of ill travelers arriving from Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea, clinicians must be aware of other more common, potentially fatal diseases. Malaria remains a common diagnosis among travelers seen at GeoSentinel sites. Prompt exclusion of malaria and other life-threatening conditions is critical to limiting morbidity and mortality. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Air Travel and Pneumothorax

The number of medical emergencies onboard aircraft is increasing as commercial air traffic increases and the general population ages, becomes more mobile, and includes individuals with serious medical conditions. Travelers with respiratory diseases are at particular risk for in-flight events because exposure to lower atmospheric pressure in a pressurized cabin at cruising altitude may result in not only hypoxemia but also pneumothorax due to gas expansion within enclosed pulmonary parenchymal spaces based on Boyle's law. Risks of pneumothorax during air travel pertain particularly to those patients with cystic lung diseases, recent pneumothorax or thoracic surgery, and chronic pneumothorax. Currently available guidelines are admittedly based on sparse data and include recommendations to delay air travel for 1 to 3 weeks after thoracic surgery or resolution of the pneumothorax. One of these guidelines declares existing pneumothorax to be an absolute contraindication to air travel although there are reports of uneventful air travel for those with chronic stable pneumothorax. In this article, we review the available data regarding pneumothorax and air travel that consist mostly of case reports and retrospective surveys. There is clearly a need for additional data that will inform decisions regarding air travel for patients at risk for pneumothorax, including those with recent thoracic surgery and transthoracic needle biopsy.

Regional Variation in Travel-related Illness acquired in Africa, March 1997–May 2011

To understand geographic variation in travel-related illness acquired in distinct African regions, we used the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network database to analyze records for 16,893 ill travelers returning from Africa over a 14-year period. Travelers to northern Africa most commonly reported gastrointestinal illnesses and dog bites. Febrile illnesses were more common in travelers returning from sub-Saharan countries. Eleven travelers died, 9 of malaria; these deaths occurred mainly among male business travelers to sub-Saharan Africa. The profile of illness varied substantially by region: malaria predominated in travelers returning from Central and Western Africa; schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, and dengue from Eastern and Western Africa; and loaisis from Central Africa. There were few reports of vaccine-preventable infections, HIV infection, and tuberculosis. Geographic profiling of illness acquired during travel to Africa guides targeted pretravel advice, expedites diagnosis in ill returning travelers, and may influence destination choices in tourism.

Tour Leaders’ Knowledge of and Attitudes toward Rabies Vaccination, Taiwan

Tour Leaders’ Knowledge of and Attitudes toward Rabies Vaccination, Taiwan

Travel-associated Diseases, Indian Ocean Islands, 1997–2010

Data collected by the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network for 1,415 ill travelers returning from Indian Ocean islands during 1997–2010 were analyzed. Malaria (from Comoros and Madagascar), acute nonparasitic diarrhea, and parasitoses were the most frequently diagnosed infectious diseases. An increase in arboviral diseases reflected the 2005 outbreak of chikungunya fever.