JEMA : Your Health Promotion Experts

Health Alert

2015 World Expo in Milan, Italy

The 2015 World Exposition will be held in Milan, Italy, from May 1, 2015, through October 31, 2015. With more than 140 countries participating, organizers estimate that more than 20 million travelers will attend. Below are some simple precautions to help you stay safe and healthy.

What can travelers do to protect themselves?

Before your trip:

• Schedule an appointment at least 4–6 weeks before you depart on your trip. Talk to your doctor or nurse about vaccines and health recommendations for Italy(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/italy?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001). See the Travel Clinics(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/find-clinic) webpage if you need vaccines. CDC recommends the following for travel to Italy:
  • All travelers should be up-to-date on routine vaccinations, such as measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT), polio, flu, and varicella.  Some travelers should consider hepatitis A, B, and rabies vaccines depending on their risk and planned itinerary.
• Consider travel health and medical evacuation insurance(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/insurance).
• Pack a travel health kit(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/pack-smart#travelhealthkit).
• Monitor travel warnings and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.

During your trip:

• Follow security and safety guidelines. Travelers may be targets for criminals during mass gatherings(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travel-to-mass-gatherings).
  • If possible, don’t travel at night, avoid questionable areas, and travel with a companion.
  • If you drink alcohol, do it in moderation. Drunk people are more likely to hurt themselves or other people, engage in risky sex, or get arrested.
  • Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
  • Carry your travel health and evacuation insurance policies(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/insurance) and the contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate and emergency service numbers.
  • Follow all local laws and social customs.
  • Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
  • Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
  • If possible, choose hotel rooms above the first floor (people on the first floor are more likely to be victims of crime) but no higher than the sixth floor (the highest a fire ladder can reach).

• Follow guidelines for hot climates. Dehydration and heat-related illnesses can occur in Italy in the summer. Drink plenty of water, keep cool, and wear sunscreen. Read more about how to prevent these conditions by visiting the Travel to Hot Climates(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travel-to-hot-climates) and Sun Exposure(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/sun-exposure) pages.

• Follow food and water safety guidelines: Eating contaminated food and drinking contaminated water can cause illnesses such as travelers’ diarrhea(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travelers-diarrhea). Make sure the food you buy from street vendors is steaming hot.

• Reduce your risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The celebratory atmosphere of many mass gatherings can encourage travelers to engage in risky sex, especially if alcohol or drugs are involved. Use condoms if you have sex. Read more about how to prevent STDs by visiting the Travelers’ Health STD(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/std) page.

• Choose safe transportation. Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries. Read about ways to prevent transportation injuries by visiting the Road Safety(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/road-safety) page.

• Reduce your exposure to germs. Wash your hands often, and avoid contact with people who are sick. Read more about reducing your exposure to germs in the Stay Healthy and Safe section of the Italy(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/italy?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001) destination page.

• If you feel sick during your trip:
  • Talk to a doctor or nurse if you feel seriously ill, especially if you have a fever.
  • For more information about medical care abroad, see Getting Health Care Abroad(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/getting-health-care-abroad). Avoid contact with other people while you are sick.

After your trip:

• If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/find-clinic). Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip.
• For more information, see Getting Sick after Travel(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/getting-sick-after-travel).