STORY:
Avoiding Y2K Health Related Mishaps

Seven Y2K health tips for international travelers

In response to US State Department warnings of potential Y2K-relate d health service interruptions around the world, the founder of WorldClinic, Dr. Daniel Carlin, has issued seven preventative tips for American tourists and business travelers planning overseas trips during the New Year period and in early 2000.

"The countries whose medical systems have been identified by the State Department as posing some level of risk include some of the most popular destinations for American tourists," said Dr. Carlin in a press release.

"Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Egypt, Italy, Morocco and St. Kitts/Nevis are among those nations identified as having some potential risk. Americans need not alter their plans to visit any of these destinations, but being informed and taking appropriate precautions is prudent."

Carlin's tips include:

1) Review the US State Department's evaluation of your destination's Y2K readiness.

"A poor evaluation for Y2K readiness implies that basic services such as water and electricity could be compromised. By extension, healthcare and air travel could be severely curtailed," said Dr. Carlin. "A hospital without electricity or reliable water is not capable of delivering modern medical care." Travelers can access US State Department country Y2K evaluations at http://travel.state.gov/y2kca.html before departure.

2) Obtain hard copies of your medical records before departure and keep them with your important travel documents during your trip. Travelers can also archive their medical records on-line at several health information web sites. "Please be sure to check the privacy policies of any online provider though, as many do not have explicit and clearly described privacy policies," said Dr. Carlin.

3) Bring along a supply of water purification tablets and a good travel medical kit including emergency medications like antibiotics, pain, allergy, and motion sickness medicine. Consumers can obtain these items at a local pharmacy and the kits can be purchased at many sporting goods and outdoor gear stores.

4) Before departure, write down the location and contact information for the US embassy or consulate in your destination city. "Embassy staff will have good local knowledge of in-country physicians and hospitals to assist you in an emergency," said Dr.Carlin. "They are also quite good at assisting you in making arrangements in an any emergency." The US State Department web site lists all of the US overseas diplomatic missions at http://www.usia.gov/regional/posts/posts.htm

5) Pack extra supplies of any prescription medications that you take regularly. Blister-packs or "bingo cards" are individual pills separately sealed in plastic bubble cards. This process prolongs the shelf life of the medicine and makes them less susceptible to accidental contamination. "Make sure all of your medications have their original labels, and do not combine multiple pills in a single bottle. Customs agents take a very dim view of this practice and may withhold the entire bottle for lack of proper documentation," noted Dr. Carlin.

6) Schedule a visit to a travel clinic immediately if you are planning on visiting an exotic location. For travel to rural Africa, Asia, South America or Africa, a certified clinic can recommend the necessary immunizations, antibiotics and medications you may need during your trip. Pay close attention to the risk for malaria and yellow fever; both require special intervention. For information about a clinic near you, visit the International Society for Travel and Tropical Medicine clinic directory at http://www.istm.org/clinidir.html or call the Society directly at 770-736-7060.

7) Check the relevant health and disease information about your destination through the Centers for Disease Control. The travel clinic you visit can give you a good idea of the different disease and risks at your destination. If you want even more information prior to departure, log onto the CDC web site at http://www.cdc.gov for the latest information. The Traveler's Health Section provides many region-by-region tips for safe and healthy travel.

Source: World Clinic Press Release

DATE: 12/7/99

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