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Travel Health Network Update: February 2023 |
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This update is being sent to members of the Wisconsin Travel Health Network.
Global Health Update
Earthquake in southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria
On February 6, 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake occurred in southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria. The earthquake has impacted infrastructure in both countries, limiting access to electricity, drinking water, and food. All U.S. citizens should avoid travel to areas affected by the earthquake until further notice. If people must travel, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel destination pages for Turkey and Syria for information on how to stay safe and healthy.
Mexico Travel Advisory
In October, 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs issued an advisory on traveling to Mexico due to safety concerns. In recent weeks, the U.S. has issued subsequent advisories on individual Mexican states with specific guidance. The U.S. Department of State recommends that any U.S. citizen avoid travel to Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas due to severe risk of crime and kidnapping. Further, it is recommended to reconsider travel to Baja California, Chihuahua, Durango Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos, and Sonora.
If people decide to travel to Mexico, it is important for them to keep traveling companions, friends and family at home informed of their travel plans. Travelers should share their GPS location with trusted loved ones. It is not recommended to travel anywhere alone. Travelers should use toll roads and avoid driving alone at night. If people must take a taxi alone, take a photo of the taxi number and/or license plate and text it to a friend. Learn more about precautions to take when traveling in Mexico.
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View the New Traveler Health Checklist
The Travel Health Network created a traveler health checklist for people to reference before, during, and after their trip. You can save or print the checklist to share it with patients and future travelers to help them stay safe and healthy!
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Disease Spotlight: Tuberculosis (TB)
Each year, World TB Day is recognized on March 24. World TB Day provides an opportunity to educate the public about the prevalence and impact of TB worldwide. Too many people in the U.S. and around the globe still suffer from TB disease. All health care providers and community health organizations, especially those serving at-risk populations, have a critical role to play in TB prevention, control, and elimination.
What is it?
TB is a disease usually caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is an airborne disease that is transmitted from person to person. The bacteria most often attacks the lungs, but can also affect the brain, kidneys, or spine. A person with TB can die if they do not get treatment.
People with latent TB infection (LTBI) do not have symptoms of TB disease and they cannot spread it to other people. People who are close contacts of someone with latent TB do not need to be tested. However, anyone who spends time with someone with active TB disease should be tested.
Who is at risk?
Everyone is at risk for getting TB. However, over 80% of all TB cases and deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. People with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for developing active TB and those with HIV are 16 times more likely to develop active TB.
In 2021, an estimated 10.6 million people became ill with TB. Of those cases, 2.2. million cases were attributable to undernutrition, 0.74 million were due to alcohol use disorder, and 0.69 million were attributable to smoking.
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What are the symptoms?
People with active lung TB often have a persistent cough that may produce sputum and blood at times, chest pains, weakness, unintentional weight loss, fever, and night sweats. Symptoms of TB disease in other parts of the body depend on the specific area affected.
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Who should be tested?
The CDC and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend screening and testing populations that are at increased risk for TB infection. Learn more about testing for TB.
All travelers who anticipate possible close or prolonged exposure to people with TB should have a TB skin test or TB blood test before leaving the United States. Annual testing may be recommended for those who anticipate repeated or prolonged exposure to TB or plan to stay abroad for a period of years. Additionally, any traveler who suspects a potential or probable exposure should be tested for TB 8 to 10 weeks after returning to the United States.
Is there treatment for TB?
There are several treatment regimens recommended in the United States for TB disease. TB treatment can take 4, 6, or 9 months depending on the regime. View the current TB treatment guidelines.
CDC and the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association (NTCA) preferentially recommend short-course, rifamycin-based, 3- or 4-month LTBI treatment regimens over the 6- or 9-month isoniazid monotherapy. Short course regimens include:
CDC has additional information about LTBI and active TB treatments.
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