Common Health Problems Linked to Travel in Developing Countries

Some of the most common health problems linked with travel to developing countries are:

• Traveler's diarrhea. This is by far the most common risk. It affects up to 4 in 5 international travelers based on the destination.

• Enterotoxic E. coli diarrhea

• Malaria

• Acute febrile respiratory tract infections

• Influenza

Less common infections may also be a risk in certain areas. Some are related to sexual contact with an infected person: 

• Hepatitis (A, B, and C)

• Gonorrhea

• Animal bites with rabies

• Typhoid and paratyphoid fever

• HIV infection

• Legionella infection

• Cholera

• Meningococcal disease

• Dengue fever

• Prion diseases

• Yellow fever

• Tuberculosis

• SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)

• Poliomyelitis

• COVID-19

For the most current CDC travel advisories, visit the CDC website.