Communicable Disease Service

Traveler’s Health 

It is important to stay aware of circulating diseases while traveling. Our goal is to ensure healthy travel and keep you informed with the latest travel-related updates and alerts. Policies and practices may change regularly, so be sure to check this website for updated information.

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CDC and NJDOH recommend that everyone aged 2 years or older including passengers and workers properly wear a well-fitting mask or respirator over the nose and mouth in indoor areas of public transportation (such as airplanes, trains, buses, ferries) and transportation hubs (such as airports, stations, and seaports). When people properly wear a well-fitting mask or respirator, they protect themselves and those around them, and help keep travel and public transportation corridors safer for everyone. 

Mosquitos and ticks can make you sick as they both carry and spread diseases. Mosquito and tick bites can occur anywhere, especially during travel. Take the steps below when travel plans are in motion to avoid bites, prevent illness, and monitor for symptoms.  

Mosquito prevention and travel  

Before 

• Check your domestic or international destination before traveling to know what mosquito-borne diseases are of concern.  
• Choose hotel and lodging with air conditioning and screens on windows and doors 
• If sleeping outside, make sure to pack a mosquito net to sleep under  
• Remember to pack EPA-registered insect repellent 
• Depending on what you plan to do while traveling, consider packing clothing/gear pre-treated with permethrin. 
• If traveling internationally to a place where Malaria is present, take a look at this fact sheet and be sure to discuss preventive medication (antimalarials) with a healthcare provider in advance of your trip.  
• Discuss with a healthcare provider if you should receive any vaccines to prevent mosquito-borne diseases (e.g., yellow fever).  

During  

• Cover up! Wear a long sleeve shirt and pants 
• Use EPA-registered insect repellent, reapply as directed 
• If also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second 

• If you have been prescribed medication to prevent malaria, be sure to take as directed. 

After 

• Avoid mosquito bites for 3 weeks after international travel to prevent the spread of travel-associated diseases to mosquitoes in New Jersey, which could then be transmitted to other people 
• If you have been prescribed medication to prevent malaria, be sure to take the entire course as directed. 
• Monitor yourself for symptoms of illness upon return. Common early symptoms of mosquito and tickborne diseases include fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, and fatigue. 
• See a healthcare professional if you begin feeling sick and be sure to notify them of recent travel and time spent outdoors. 

Tick prevention and travel 

Before 

• Check your domestic or international destination before traveling to know what tickborne diseases to look out for 
• Remember to pack EPA-registered insect repellent 
• Depending on what you plan to do while traveling, consider packing clothing/gear pre-treated with permethrin. 
• Discuss with a healthcare provider if you should receive any vaccines to prevent mosquito-borne diseases (e.g., tickborne encephalitis). 

During  

• Cover up! Wear a long sleeve shirt and pants 
• Use EPA-registered insect repellent, reapply as directed 
• If also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second 
• Check yourself for ticks when spending time outdoors where ticks may be present. Ask a friend or family member to assist, if needed. 
• Shower soon after coming indoors, this can help remove ticks that haven’t attached yet or identify ones needing removal. 
• If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it with tweezers right away 
• Place clothes in dryer if possible to kill any ticks that may be present on clothing  

After 

• Monitor yourself for symptoms of illness upon return.  Common early symptoms of mosquito and tickborne diseases include fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, and fatigue. 
• See a healthcare professional if you begin feeling sick and be sure to notify them of recent travel and time spent outdoors. 
• See a healthcare professional if you begin feeling sick and be sure to notify them of recent travel and time spent outdoors 

Click here more general information on vector-borne diseases.

Chikungunya | Dengue | Malaria | St. Louis Encephalitis | Yellow fever | Zika 

Be sure to use the domestic travel checker to help you follow all state and local recommendations and requirements. If traveling by air, check airline requirements prior to your flight. Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should be sure to follow steps to continue to protect others during travel. 

• For those traveling to New Jersey, domestic travel is defined as lasting 24 hours or longer to states or US territories other than those connected to New Jersey, such as Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware.
• Delay travel if you are feeling sick 

COVID-19

• It is recommended to delay domestic travel until you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.
• Taking a COVID-19 test is recommended if you:
  • Develop symptoms before, during, or after travel
  • Will be traveling to visit someone who is at high risk for COVID-19
  • Were in high-risk situations such as being in crowded places without wearing a well-fitting mask. 
  • If you have had COVID-19 within the last 90 days, see these specific testing recommendations. 

Be sure to use the international travel checker to help you follow all recommendations and requirements for your destination. Certain destinations may require specific vaccines prior to entering. If traveling by air, check airline requirements prior to your flight. Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should be sure to follow steps to continue to protect others during travel. As a reminder, you can upload your vaccination card to your phone via the secure Docket App.

• Delay travel if you feel sick
• International Travel Checker

COVID-19

• It is recommended to delay international travel until you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccine.
• Taking a COVID-19 test is recommended if you:
  • Develop symptoms before, during, or after travel
  • Will be traveling to visit someone who is at high risk for COVID-19
  • Were in high risk situations such as being crowded places without wearing a well-fitting mask. 
  • If you have had COVID-19 within the last 90 days, see these specific testing recommendations.
• Free or low-cost treatment is also available to at Community Health Centers also known as FQHC’s. This treatment is available to you regardless of immigration status and whether you have insurance or not. Click here to locate a FQHC near you.

If you are feeling sick before your cruise, it is recommended to not travel and you should ask your cruise line about other options such as rescheduling. Watch out for respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, influenza, and the common cold. Be sure to get your annual flu shot and be up to date on your COVID-19 vaccine prior to travel. Check in with your cruise line directly to see if they have any testing or vaccination requirements in place. 

• Cruise Ship Information
• Prepare a travel health kit