Question

I-Based on the travel health course, answer the following questions in
your own words (each response not less 150 words):

- How important is the presence of a travel Health Clinic? Justify?

- Does it exist in Oman, or is there an example that can be related to pre-travel health activities in
terms of screening and immunizing travelers?

- Do you think the role of travel health is enough in preventing the transmission of infectious
diseases?

Answer 1

National and International travel can be fun and exciting. However, it has been estimated that more than 25% of the all international travellers report some illness during their trip. That is why it is recommended that a traveler seek pre travel health consultation in a travel health clinic. Travel health clinics are healthcare facilities proficient in delivering preventive medical care and support to international travelers like appropriate vaccination before travel or altitude sickness medicine if necessary. These facilities are known for using structured approach to pre travel health consultation including an assessment of infectious and non-infectious risk of travel, the offer of in-office intervention and tips on office safety. The evaluation of infectious is based on the geographic pattern of illness. The risk vary with the travel destination but include common infectious illness such as dengue in Central America, Zika in South America, Yellow fever in Africa, Malaria in India, Hepatitis in China, travellor's diarrhea in parts of Europe and risk of STIs in Russia. Evaluation of non-infectious risk is based on the environmental factors and expected activities. Pre-travel health activities in terms of screening and immunizing travelers to minimize infectious risk medication for treatment and chemo prophylaxis and varrifying and updating routine vaccinations such as against influenze, the most preventable illness and administring special travel related vaccinations for certain areas. These travel Health Clinic also provides counseling to the patients on staying healthy during travel and includes suggestions on modifying behavior like eat and drink safety, outdoor safety, prevention of insect bites, safe transportation and how to seek medical care in case of emergency. Hence it would not be wrong to say that the role of travel health is very crucial in preventing the transmission of infectious diseases.