Increased International Travel and Infectious Disease

Dealing with disasters effectively is becoming more relevant as factors that tend to increase risks are more apparent. Increased international travel has contributed to the spread of certain diseases. Greater access to foreign travel fares – on land or sea – means people can travel anywhere. So, too, can new and emerging infections, regardless of where they begin.

In 2014, Ebola virus disease began to spread rapidly throughout West Africa. Later that same year, the first case of Ebola was diagnosed in the United States – effectively ending any assumptions about the virus being limited by geographic boundaries. The current spread of Zika virus disease demonstrates the ongoing threat of infections crossing borders.

Because a public health crisis can occur at any time and spread anywhere, it’s important to be prepared. Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication principles include tools to improve communication during emergencies. Effectively explaining how people can protect themselves, their families and their communities is critical to an effective crisis response..