7. Lack of Vaccination
If you’re traveling to a high-risk yellow fever zone, then speak to your doctor about receiving the vaccine for the disease before you leave on your trip. Your doctor will recommend that you come in for your vaccination four weeks before your departure date.
In many cases, people visiting these high-risk areas don’t realize they need inoculation until they are close to their departure date and miss the four-week window necessary for the body to develop the immune response to the disease. As a result, the traveler may end up visiting a high-risk zone without receiving any form of vaccination against yellow fever – making them a prime target for infection.
If you do have to travel to Africa or South America, and you don’t have the time available to receive the vaccine, it’s best that you do all you can to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes. Purchase some mosquito repellent as soon as you land at the airport, and use it frequently throughout your stay in the country.