Travelers Health

Staying healthy when traveling is key to having a successful experience abroad and away. On this page, we highlight a few current concerns related to travel health. For more specific information about your travel destination, visit www.internationalsos.com (membership ID: 11BTTA887908) or the Centers for Disease Control Travel Health website.

Use the CDC "Travel Assessment" tool to learn more about health requirements for travel to your destination.

COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) - Information for Student Travelers

In the U.S. and abroad, most COVID-19 travel restrictions have been lifted. Travelers are still at risk for being exposed to or contracting COVID-19. Ohio University no longer requires students participating in on- or off-campus activities to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

International travelers should consult the International SOS website or International SOS Assistance App. International SOS offers a "COVID Trip Planner" tool, which will help you research potential COVID-19 entry requirements. 

For more COVID-19 information and advice, please consult the CDC's COVID-19 information here.

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious disease. Many places worldwide are experiencing an increased number of measles cases or even measles outbreaks. This is in large part due to lack of sufficient vaccination rates.

Patients are usually contagious before they exhibit signs of being sick. It is key to be properly vaccinated agains measles when traveling abroad.

You can learn more about measles and prevention here. 

Zika Virus

Zika is a viral infection transmitted to people through mosquito bites. It has been linked to birth defects in cases where the mother was pregnant while infected with Zika. Each year a small number of travelers are being diagnosed with the disease after they return to the U.S. from a Zika-affected area. More information about Zika is available from the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) Travel Health website.

As the CDC notes, Zika does continue to be a problem in many parts of the world and there is no vaccination available to prevent infection. The CDC further writes that “your decision to delay or cancel travel is personal and complex. In making this decision, consider your travel destination and your ability to protect yourself from mosquito bites. CDC recommends that pregnant women and couples planning a pregnancy within the next 3 months consult with a health care provider in making this decision.”

You can learn more about Zika prevention here.

OGO works with study abroad program directors traveling to Zika-affected areas to advise participants of methods to avoid mosquito bites and prevention of sexual transmission. 

We also recommend travelers sign up for health and security updates for their travel destination from our travel security partner International SOS at www.internationalsos.com or using the ISOS Assistance App (membership ID: 11BTTA887908).

Additional information on health and safety on global programs can be found on the OGO Health and Safety page. The Office of Global Opportunities can be contacted at 740-593-4583.

Monkeypox

Monkeypox is a rare disease cased by viral infection. While the disease was first discovered in 1958, the 2022 outbreak has spread globally, including in the U.S. For more information, please see the CDC's global advisory concerning Monkeypox.

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