Preparing for Your Journey: A Guide to Travel Preparation

As the demand for long-haul trips to destinations such as the USA, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, and the Maldives surges in 2025, travelers must be aware of the increased health risks associated with these popular vacation spots. A significant rise in mosquito-borne viral diseases, including dengue fever and chikungunya, has been reported in many tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

Dengue cases surged sharply in 2024 with over 13 million cases reported across the Americas and the Caribbean, and transmission remains dangerously high in 2025. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a travel advisory for Mexico and 19 other countries with active outbreaks, including Brazil, Colombia, and the Philippines.

Dengue is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite during the day, especially in the morning and late afternoon, making continuous protection necessary. The disease symptoms can range from mild fever to severe illness like dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome, especially with repeated infections by different dengue virus strains.

Travelers are advised to use EPA-approved insect repellents, wear long sleeves and pants, and stay in accommodations with air conditioning or window screens to reduce mosquito bites. It's also essential to stay updated on CDC travel advisories and consult a healthcare provider about the latest vaccine options and other preventive measures before travel.

Chikungunya virus, also transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, poses a risk in many parts of the world, including Latin America, the Caribbean, and increasingly Europe. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports expanding populations of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes across Europe, responsible for spreading dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses.

In the southern United States, cases of chikungunya, dengue, Zika, and malaria are rising, partly due to climate change enhancing mosquito breeding and virus transmission seasons. With no fully approved vaccines for dengue, chikungunya, malaria, or Zika for general traveler use, the best preventive measure remains avoiding mosquito bites by using repellents, protective clothing, and environmental controls.

For those traveling in remote areas, an extended travel pharmacy tailored to possible medical emergencies and the limited supply situation on site is recommended. Medications should be stored below 25 degrees and transported in hand luggage during flights. It's also advisable to contact the embassy or consulate beforehand as each country has its own regulations for medication import.

Long-term travelers have an increased risk of tropical diseases due to the longer duration of stay and lapse of precautionary measures. Young children under three years old should avoid traveling to areas with poor medical care due to the risk of dangerous complications from simple gastrointestinal infections and animal bites.

In conclusion, travelers to popular vacation spots, especially in the Americas, parts of Asia, Africa, and increasingly Europe, face high risks of mosquito-borne viral diseases like dengue and chikungunya in 2025, making mosquito avoidance the primary protective strategy. A well-equipped travel pharmacy and staying informed about current outbreaks and heed updated public health advisories are crucial for a safe and healthy travel experience.

In light of the increasing cases of dengue and chikungunya, both transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, traveling to popular vacation spots in 2025 involves a heightened risk, particularly in the Americas, Asia, Africa, and increasingly Europe.
As both dengue and chikungunya, which are spread by the same type of mosquito, pose significant health risks, it's essential for travelers to use EPA-approved insect repellents, wear long sleeves and pants, and choose accommodations with air conditioning or window screens to minimize mosquito bites.
With no fully approved vaccines for dengue, chikungunya, malaria, or Zika for general traveler use, it's crucial for long-term travelers and those visiting remote areas to be armed with a well-equipped travel pharmacy tailored to potential medical emergencies, maintain medications at the correct storage temperature, and comply with local regulations for medication import.