Helpful Links

• Find health information for specific destinations here, including immunization recommendations.

• This site provides the latest news stories related to health and medical issues around the world, including disease outbreak (Avian flu, Meningococcal disease, SARS, etc.) and other emergencies.

• The most common cause of injury or death in overseas programs is traffic accidents. Visit this site for safe road travel reports for many countries, as well as other safety tips and guidelines related to road travel.

• This site, prepared by CIEE, provides an excellent overview of health and safety topics related to study abroad. Use it in addition to this brochure and CSB/SJU's web resources when preparing for your international experience.

U.S. Government Sources of Health and Safety Information

U.S. State Department
These country-by-country safety and health assessments by the U.S. State Department are updated frequently. Free subscription allows receipt of announcements via e-mail as they are issued.
Three types of announcements are provided. The following wording is from the U.S. State Department Travel Advisories Web site:

• Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department decides, based on all relevant information, to recommend that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. (...)
• Public Announcements are a means to disseminate information about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term and/or trans-national conditions posing significant risks to the security of American travelers. (...) In the past, Public Announcements have been issued to deal with short-term coups, bomb threats to airlines, violence by terrorists and anniversary dates of specific terrorist events.
• Consular Information Sheets are available for every country of the world. (...) If an unstable condition exists in a country that is not severe enough to warrant a Travel Warning, a description of the condition(s) may be included under an optional section entitled "Safety/Security."

Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)
OSAC is a division of the U.S. State Department that fosters the exchange of security information between the government and the private sector operating abroad. The general Web site provides information regarding "recent events" as well as links to current public announcements and consular information.
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
Registration at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate makes the presence and whereabouts of your study abroad destination known in case it is necessary for a consular officer to contact you in the event of an emergency. During a disaster overseas, U.S. consular officers can assist in evacuations if that becomes necessary.
Federal Aviation Administration
This FAA site contains up-to-date information about which airports (domestic & foreign) "meet current aviation security requirements." It also includes an FAQ section that is updated frequently.

Transportation Security Administration
This site contains information on aviation security, as well as helpful information about what can and cannot be packed in students' checked and carry-on luggage.

International Health Agencies

• Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
  Contains information about health alerts.
• Centers for Disease Control, CDC Travel Information (CDC)
  Provides official U.S. government information about health conditions worldwide, including recommendations for immunizations.
• Korean Ministry of Health
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Victorian Government Health Information
  Blue book: Guidelines for the control of infectious diseases.
• World Health Organization (WHO)
  The United Nations specialized agency for health.