Received 25 September 2008; received in revised form 23 October 2008; accepted 24 October 2008.
Summary
Increasing international travel and migration can interfere with public health in both the country of destination and back home. The revised International Health Regulations (IHR) and travel disease sentinel networks are means to protect public and individual health. Public health risks related to infectious disease are higher in mass gatherings, in travellers visiting friends and relatives and in sexual encounters away from home. In contrast, in-flight transmission of infections plays only a limited role.
Division of Epidemiology and Prevention of Communicable Diseases, WHO Centre for Travellers Health, cc Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84, CH-8001 Zurich, Switzerland
ABSTRACT