BREWSTER—As people tire of frigid temperatures and darker days, many cope by planning vacations for the upcoming spring and summer. The Putnam County Department of Health is kicking off its 2026 monthly travel clinics on Friday, March 13, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Health department nurses suggest getting any necessary vaccines at least two months before travel, and already some Putnam travelers have scheduled their appointments. Clinics will continue on the second Friday of each month. Registration is required and appointments can be made by calling the immunization program directly at 845-808-1332.

“Whether families are traveling across the globe or visiting a new destination for the first time, preparation is the key to a safe and healthy trip,” said Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne. “These travel clinics are another example of how we’re delivering practical, valuable services that protect our residents and give them peace of mind before they leave home.”

“Overseas travel can present health challenges that Putnam residents don’t normally face at home,” said Health Director Rian Rodriguez, MPH. “It is important to begin gathering information early in your planning stage. Some countries do require specific vaccines before entering, but others do not. It is also important to remember that healthy travel is much more than just getting required shots. Our nurses not only provide vaccines, but also guidance about other health risks you may encounter, even if they are not new.”

“We have a variety of travel vaccines in stock,” said Rebeca Garcia, RN, BSN, the immunization coordinator at the health department. “The most common immunizations we give for travel are typhoid, hepatitis A, rabies and yellow fever.” The health department is in fact a registered yellow fever vaccination center and provides certificates of vaccination for this potentially deadly mosquito-borne illness.

Insect bite and sun protection, along with food and water safety are some of the health challenges that travelers may face abroad and maybe to a greater degree than usual. These concerns can be met with many of the same tried-and-true practices from home. 

One common sense, yet far-reaching, travel tip is to pack the most effective insect repellant, typically with 25-30 percent DEET according to the independent, nonprofit Consumer Reports magazine. According to the WHO, illnesses spread by mosquitoes account for about 17 percent of all infectious diseases globally. These include not only yellow fever, but also chikungunga, malaria, dengue, and Zika. 

Sun protection is also important, just as it is at home. Sunburns can occur even on overcast days and vacationers may choose to avoid noontime sun, which also helps avoid the risk of heat-related illnesses. Sunscreen, hats, long sleeve shirts and pants can provide protection from the sun. Staying hydrated is key and bottled water from a reputable source is recommended.

When it comes to food considerations while away, helpful tips come from the department’s food sanitarians that inspect restaurants and provide food safety education year-round. Mitch Lee, a senior public health sanitarian, said, “Depending on the sanitary conditions in your destination, travelers may want to take the extra precautions. Eat only hot foods that are steaming and cold foods that are chilled. Avoid raw foods, fresh salads, cut fruit, street food, local game meat, and unpasteurized dairy. Dry or factory-sealed packaged foods are generally safe.”

With beverages, Mr. Lee advised avoiding tap water, ice, fountain drinks and freshly squeezed juices prepared by others. “Bottled or canned drinks from sealed containers and reputable sources or hot drinks, served steaming are the best choices,” he said. “It is also a good idea to brush your teeth with bottled or boiled water, and as always wash your hands before eating and preparing food. Use a sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Contaminated water, and food, can cause illness and ruin a pleasant trip.”

Circling back to infectious illnesses a traveler may encounter abroad….Every Thursday, the New York State Department of Health publishes its comprehensive 20-plus-page “Global Health Update” on select ongoing and emerging infectious disease outbreaks both in the U.S. and globally. Some of the diseases covered in this report are familiar like yellow fever, measles, polio and influenza; others have the stranger names like chikungunya, nipah and new world screwworm. These summaries help inform public health nurses and other professionals, as well as interested members of the public. Most of these diseases also have fact sheets available from the World Health Organization website.

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community. The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) through 2029, serves a community composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services are provided through a lens of equity, and include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit the County website at www.putnamcountyny.gov, or visit our social media sites on Facebook, X and Instagram @PutnamHealthNY.

###

Resources:

Fact Sheets—World Health Organization

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets

Global Health Update Report—New York State Department of Health

https://globalhealthreports.health.ny.gov/

Is The Water Safe To Drink? How-To Ensure Water Safety When Traveling—Midtown New York Doctors

https://newyorkdoctorsurgentcare.com/ensure-water-safety-when-traveling/

Travel and health—World Health Organization

https://www.who.int/health-topics/travel-and-health#tab=tab_1

Travel Immunizations—Passport Health

https://www.passporthealthusa.com/

Travel Health Pro

https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/index.php

https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/about

###

For further information, contact: Shanna Siegel, Public Information Officer, at 845-808-1390, x43258.