ravel agents are expected to know a
lot about cruises, tours, and other travel-related suppliers. But
clients often expect agents to be just as expert about such
subjects as travel safety and, most recently, travel health.
With the SARS outbreak, apprehensive customers are wary of trips
to any area that might present health risks. While many agents rely
on the latest advisories from the World Health Organization (WHO)
and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), another
good resource for the trade is the growing field of travel
medicine.
Hundreds of doctors around the world now specialize in this
area, providing such services as pretrip medical assistance. Travel
medicine clinics are listed on the Web site of the International
Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM), at www.istm.org.
One such expert, Dr. Glenn Birnbaum of Tradewinds Travel
Medicine in Chester, N.J., provides preventive medications and
immunizations to travelers bound for countries where specific
illnesses are prevalent. A member of ISTM, Birnbaum recently spoke
to the New Jersey chapter of ASTA.
According to Birnbaum, most health risks can be minimized
through pretrip consultations with travel-medicine specialists. He
believes that the level of concern about travel health often is
greater than the actual risks.
"There are many precautions that we can take to protect
travelers, but they need the advice of a travel-medicine expert,
and travel agents play a key role in connecting travelers to such
experts," Birnbaum said.
With regard to SARS, Birnbaum says the information provided by
the WHO and the CDC is timely and accurate.
"If a destination is not mentioned in an advisory as one at risk
for SARS, I wouldn't have any concern about sending people
[there]," he said. "The fact is that influenza is a much greater
risk than SARS."
At its annual conference last month, ISTM members expressed
concern that too many travelers venture abroad without inquiring
about health risks. A recent study conducted at airports showed
that two-thirds of U.S. travelers hadn't sought medical advice
before departing on trips to developing countries.
The study also showed that two-thirds of those traveling to
malaria-endemic areas were unaware of the risks, and 83%
underestimated their risk for hepatitis A, the most common
vaccine-preventable disease.
The good news is that the medical profession has developed the
capability to prevent a large percentage of illnesses that can be
contracted while traveling -- and professional help is there for
anyone seeking it.