Overview of Selected Infectious Disease Risks for the Corporate Traveler

Abstract

International business travel to under-developed and developing countries has increased considerably over the past two decades. Most of these destinations are endemic to a variety of infectious diseases, many of which are associated with considerable morbidity, mortality, or both and the nonimmune, unprepared corporate traveler is at risk. Comprehensive pretravel consultation is essential to prevent travel-related illness. This review addresses some of the infectious diseases that can be acquired during international travel, including regions of endemicity, assessment of risk, and available means of prevention. In addition, we discuss data concerning current practices and attitudes of travelers, along with some of the issues surrounding the counseling of corporate travelers.

Pre-Travel Medical Preparation of Business and Occupational Travelers

“…Illness may disrupt business activities during or after travel, cause loss of time and productivity, and increase medical costs. 24 One study found higher rates of medical claims for almost all diseases categories after international travel by business travelers compared with their non-traveling colleagues; many claims were related to infectious diseases. 25 History has shown that diseases such as SARS, hepatitis A, measles, and tuberculosis have all been transmitted by individuals traveling for business and other occupational travelers 26 – 30 ; and infections such as these may be transmitted to non-traveling employees or the traveler's community.…”

Flexible global working arrangements: An integrative review and future research agenda

“…Perhaps surprisingly, Bunn (2008) found that despite those significant risks identified by medical experts, many IBTs remain unaware of the risk of infection or do not follow recommendations provided. Common infectious diseases include: diarrhoea, influenza, yellow fever, typhoid fever, dengue fever, dengue haemorrhagic fever, malaria, hepatitis A and B, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) ( Hudson & Fortuna, 2008 ). The COVID-19 pandemic represents an especially stark reminder of such physical health issues.…”

Safety and tolerability of yellow fever vaccines

“…9 Early trials demonstrated that mild reactions occur five to eight days after vaccination in 10-15% of vaccinees, with more severe reactions in only one to two per cent of cases. 10 Reactions vary from mild, comprising localised pain and erythema at the injection site, to headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Systemic reactions are reported as occurring in fewer than 0.2% of cases, although they may be more common than thought.…”