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New Passport Requirements for U.S. Citizens

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is changing the rules regarding how you re-enter the United States.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require all travelers to and from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda to present a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States.

The initiative will be implemented in two phases:

January 23, 2007 – Passports, Merchant Mariner Documents (MMDs) or NEXUS Air cards would be required for all air travel from within the Western Hemisphere for citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda.

January 1, 2008 – It is anticipated that on January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security.

Travel Warnings

Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid a certain country.

In addition to this list, the State Department issues Consular Information Sheets for every country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country.

Travel Health: Planning for Healthy Travel.

Every year millions of Americans travel abroad for vacation, business, or to visit friends and family. Unfortunately, about half of the international travelers get sick or injured during their trip. Nothing can ruin a vacation more than getting sick.

Most travel-related sickness and injury can be prevented. Find out what you need to know about staying healthy and safe in the area where you are traveling by visiting the Travelers' Health website . You will get information about disease and safety risks and how to avoid them, special notices about outbreaks or other disease activity and what shots or preventive medications (prophylaxis) you should or will be required to get.

Be Smart While You Travel:

Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available and your hands are not visibly dirty, use alcohol-based hand gel (with at least 60% alcohol) to clean your hands.
Drink only bottled or boiled water or carbonated (bubbly) drinks from sources you trust. Do not drink tap water or fountain drinks, or eat ice cubes.
Only eat food that has been fully cooked or fruits and vegetables that have been washed and peeled by you. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.
Make sure you know how to protect yourself from injury while you travel. Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of injury deaths in travelers. Swimming-related accidents are also a major cause of injury among travelers.
Do not handle animals, especially monkeys, dogs, and cats, to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague).
If you might be bitten by insects (like mosquitoes or ticks) use insect repellent (bug spray) with 30-50% DEET. The label on the container will tell you the DEET content.

Cruise Ship Travel and Health

Because of multiple ports visited, cruise ship travelers often are uncertain what prevention behaviors and immunizations are appropriate for their itineraries. In general, prospective cruise ship travelers should

1) ensure that their routinely recommended age- and medical condition-specific immunizations are up to date, particularly influenza vaccine if indicated;
2) follow the prevention and immunization recommendations that apply to each country on the itinerary;
3) pay particular attention to hand hygiene: wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water and if there is no soap and water available, use an alcohol-based product, with at least 60% alcohol, to wash your hands.

CDC Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP)
Protects passenger and crew health by minimizing the risk of gastrointestinal illness aboard cruise ships. Posts inspection scores and outbreak information.

Travelers' Health Kit.

The purpose of a Travel Kit is two-fold: to allow the traveler to take care of minor health problems as they occur and to treat exacerbations of pre-existing medical conditions.

Medications:

Personal prescription medications (copies of all prescriptions, including the generic names for medications, and a note from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationary for controlled substances and injectable medications should be carried)
Antidiarrheal medication (e.g., bismuth subsalicylate, loperamide)
Decongestant, alone or in combination with antihistamine
Mild laxative
Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or other medication for pain or fever
Lubricating eye drops

Commercial medical kits are available for a wide range of circumstances, from basic first aid to advanced emergency life support. All medications, especially prescription medications, should be stored in carry-on baggage, in their original containers with clear labels.

Content Source: National Center for Infectious Diseases.

Diarrhea
There’s nothing more miserable than getting sick while on vacation. For most destinations, the major health risk to travelers is diarrhea, which may be easily avoided. In general, common sense prevails. When in doubt, steer clear of uncooked meat, raw fruits and vegetables and unpasteurized milk products, and drink only bottled water (although the tip of the bottle may be contaminated, so wipe it clean before drinking from it) or water that has been boiled for at least 20 minutes. If you begin to feel sick or develop a fever, rest and drink tea or purified water. Most cases of traveler’s diarrhea clear up within a few days.

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Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad
If an American citizen becomes seriously ill or injured abroad, a U. S. consular officer can assist in locating appropriate medical services and informing family or friends. If necessary, a consular officer can also assist in the transfer of funds from the United States. However, payment of hospital and other expenses is the responsibility of the traveler.

Jet Lag: Jet lag is a combination of fatigue and other symptoms caused by traveling abruptly across different time zones.

Suggestions to reduce the impact of jet lag while traveling include:

Make sure you have had enough sleep before you leave. Sleep deficit or ‘debt’ will make jet lag worse.
Limit or avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks.
Drink plenty of water.
Try to nap whenever you feel sleepy.
Eat small meals frequently, choosing lighter foods like fruit and vegetables.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
Whenever possible, walk around the cabin

Motion Sickness

Motion sickness is an unpleasant problem for many travelers; however, there are some over-the-counter and prescription medications available. If you wish to combat motion sickness on your own, try the following:

When traveling by car, try to sit in the front seat and, if you can, avoid reading as it only heightens the feeling of motion sickness.
When traveling by boat, sit as close to the middle of the vessel as possible and look straight ahead at the horizon, a fixed point that will not move. Today’s high-tech cruise ships are built for comfort, with stabilizers for smooth sailing, and most passengers experience little or no motion sickness.
When flying, try to sit near the wing of the plane, or the side where you are accustomed to driving. Ear plugs also may help.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

The best thing you can do for yourself to keep healthy and happy while on vacation is to purchase travel insurance. Neither Medicare nor Medicaid pays for care outside the United States, and most health insurance plans don’t, either. Be sure to examine different travel insurance policies, make careful inquiries and always read the fine print. Two features are essential: a 24-hour, toll-free, English-language phone assistance and a plan that provides direct, immediate payment to the medical provider.