Pregnant women and those with weakened immune system are also more at risk.

Authorities advised people who were at the airports as the measles infected traveler, should contact their doctors as soon they develop fever or other symptoms.

Potential measles exposure of so many travelers in airport terminals is a cause of concern by infectious disease specialist, Dr. William Schaffner at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville.

“The appropriate steps are being taken to reach out to those passengers on the plane that were in close enough proximity,” said Tom Skinner, a spokesman for the Atlanta based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tourists going to the US excluding travelers from Mexico and Canada, has started decreasing after the September 11, 2001 incident and are still seventeen percent lower than in the year 2000 levels per the US Department of Commerce.

Though increased of arrivals from Mexico and Canada had been noted in 2006, visitors to the US from overseas remains the same with no improvement at about twenty two million.

Overseas tourists are important to the tourism industry because they not only stay longer, but spend more money than those coming from Mexico and Canada.

The Commerce Department does not expect an improvement to the US tourism industry that could reach the September 11, 2001 levels of about twenty six million not until 2010.

After that fateful incident, the US has put up several security measures in place, but they had not tend to consider that such a move are barriers that could lead to a decline in travel to the US.

Declining overseas visitors to the US means America’s share of the world travel market is getting smaller. The US has experienced raking in 15.6 percent of international tourism receipts in 2001 as compared to just 11.7 percent in 2006.

The US is not considered anymore to be the number one travel destination like it used to be.

Europeans are expanding their horizons to spend more travel on places like Dubai, China and Turkey for their vacation.

To get a share of the international industry, Discover America is lobbying Congress to pass the Travel Promotion Act, a bill that would establish a nationally coordinated campaign to promote travel to the US and educate people about visitor entry and security policies.

Increasing international travel to the US would not only boost the US tourism industry, but also help in projecting her image abroad.

In the past there has been an inherent belief in Congress that America does need to put much effort into attracting international tourists, but it is not the case currently. The US now need to market its tourism industry just like everyone else.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent such an untoward incident to happen and to properly address them when they occur. Herewith, are the following common health problems and injuries one might encounter during the time of ones vacation:

*** Motion Sickness – Traveling by sea, land and air is inevitable if one has to go on vacation. The person may experience dizziness, weakness, paleness, cold sweat, headache, nausea and even vomiting.

This is brought about by the mixed signals on movement that the brain receives from the organs of sight (eyes) and balance (ears) and this known as motion sickness.

The following tips may prove helpful to any vacationer who has encountered such a problem.

1) One have to consult a doctor for a prescription against motion sickness. If you happen to be the driver for the trip ask your doctor for non drowsy drugs. If it is inevitable that you cannot get the prescribed drug you wanted, have your back up driver to take the wheel instead.

2) Eat a light meal prior and during the trip. An empty or full stomach is not recommended for those who are susceptible to motion sickness.

3) Sit an area in the vehicle where motion is least. One example is car’s front seat. Avoid looking at every object that may attract your attention and can’t help but distracted by all the seemingly objects, try to sleep instead.

*** Sunburn – The beach is an every vacationer favorite destination especially during summertime. Over exposure to the sun commonly happens resulting in sunburn. The skin may turn red, hot and register a burning sensation. Preventing sunburn is what you should do.

1) Avoid sun exposure during the hottest period of the day, which is between 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

2) Apply sunblock to all exposed areas of the skin if you cannot avoid the sun and always remember to reapply it after coming out from the water.

3) When getting sunburn, apply a soothing cream like mild lotion on the afflicted area of the skin.

4) Seek medical advice immediately when the sunburn is severe to prevent skin infection.

*** Dehydration – This condition occurs where there is a depletion of body fluids, when a person is sweating excessively, troubled with diarrhea or vomiting. Symptoms include increased thirstiness, dry mouth, sunken eyeballs and a dry looking skin. Urine is usually scanty and concentrated.

In combating dehydration, do the following:

1) The use of rehydration salts is highly recommended to oral rehydration therapy.If these are not readily available other type of fluids may suffice. Don’t drink alcoholic drinks, coffee and tea because these may aggravate further dehydration.

2) If the cause is diarrhea, don’t take anti motility drugs. The drug may be effective in temporary stopping the diarrhea but it may also cause further problems.

3) If the person is vomiting and cannot allow oral fluids, intravenous therapy is recommended. Seek immediate medical attention.

*** Insect Bites – Mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, ants and bedbugs bites are common to most vacationers often encounter during their much needed break.

The bites of these insects are not only itchy but may also cause swelling, skin irritation and pain. The following tips may help the problem:

a) Use insect repellent b) Use mat or any protective sheet instead of directly sitting on the grass or ground.

c) If insect bites have caused itchiness avoid scratching because doing so it may lead to infection once the skin cause to break. d) Seek medical advice.

*** Jelly Fish Sting – The following has to be done when bitten unexpectedly by a jelly fish: a) Wash the affected area with seawater. b) Apply vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or baking soda whichever is available. c) Determine if a tentacle is left on the affected area by removing it using a pair of tweezers. d) Carefully shave the afflicted area by using shaving cream and sterilized shaver. e) Consult a doctor immediately if nausea, vomiting, joint pains and difficulty of breathing ensue.

*** Muscle Cramps – It is a sudden, tight and intense pain resulting from an involuntary muscle contraction that does not readily relax. These pointers should help: a) Stop doing whatever it is that’s causing the cramping of your muscles.
b) Slowly stretch the affected area and gently massage it. c) Hold it in stretched position until the cramping stops. d) If the muscle is tight, apply warm compress. If it is sore and tender apply cold compress.

*** Minor Wounds – It is characterized into a cut cause by an incising object and results in a jigged wound and an abrasion which is just a superficial scrape. They may be different from each other but their management is basically the same.
a) Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water. Try to take away any object that may still be embedded in the skin. b) Gently wipe the wound dry with a soft cloth or sterile dressing pad. c) Control the bleeding by applying direct pressure over the wound. If profuse bleeding persists , seek immediate medical attention. d) Apply antiseptic over the wound to safeguard it against any infection. e) Dress large wounds with sterile gauze.

One important thing you should remember that you have to keep a handy first aid kit at all times whenever you go for a trip and you should never leave home without it.

• vacation injuries statistics