With many Alexandria families preparing for spring break and other trips, the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) is sharing simple steps to help you stay healthy when traveling across the country or abroad.

If you’re planning a trip, make these steps part of your travel plan:

• Talk to a doctor before you travel. Ask about any vaccines or medicines recommended for your destination.
  • If you're traveling with a baby, ask about an early first dose of the MMR vaccine (details below).
• Pack a small health kit. What you pack may vary based on your plans. Be sure to pack your insurance card and any prescription medicines—plus a few extra days’ worth of doses in case of delays. You may also want to bring masks, sunscreen, bug spray, and hand sanitizer.
• Practice everyday safety on your trip.
  • Wash or sanitize hands often.
  • Avoid wild animals.
  • Choose safe foods and trusted drinking water. Packaged and bottled food and drinks can be safe options when you aren’t sure. 

Disease-Specific Tips

Health officials around the world monitor diseases in different areas. Two illnesses AHD experts are focused on this season are measles and malaria.

Measles outbreaks are occurring across the United States and in other countries, and several airports have reported recent measles exposures. The best way to prevent measles is to ensure everyone in your traveling party has the MMR vaccine.

“Families should know that children as young as 6 months can get their first MMR shot if they’re going to be traveling,” said AHD Deputy Director Dr. Anne Gaddy. “Generally, babies don’t get their first MMR dose until they are 12–15 months old, so you should talk to a pediatrician if you want to get your baby this early shot.”

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease found many places in Southeast Asia, South America, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Preventive medicine is available to help protect travelers.

“A lot of people who grew up in countries where malaria is common don’t think they need to take preventive medicine,” said Dr. Gaddy. “But that’s not true—anyone planning to travel to a place with malaria should ask a doctor or pharmacist about medicine they can take before their trip.”

When You Return

Many people don’t start to feel sick until after they get back from a trip. If you do feel sick, see a doctor and tell them where and when you traveled so they can best diagnose your illness.

Spring break should be fun and safe. A quick call to your doctor, the right vaccines, and smart travel habits go a long way toward protecting your family.

To learn more about health and safety while traveling, talk to a doctor or review destination-specific guidance at www.cdc.gov/Travel.

For media inquiries only, contact Eve Elliott at eve.elliott@vdh.virginia.gov or call (804) 467-5160. 

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you, please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call (703) 746-3960.