True or false?
Get started on Will’s workcation
He’s thinking of mojitos, not mosquitoes
When Will is sent on a business trip to the Dominican Republic, he decides to make the most of it by arranging a relaxing stay at a nearby resort for the following week.
CONSIDER DESTINATION
That’s right! Every year more than 5 million tourists vacation in the Dominican Republic where mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, Zika, and chikungunya are endemic.1
Good guess. The Dominican Republic is the most visited destination in the Caribbean. Every year more than 5 million tourists vacation in the Dominican Republic where mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, Zika, and chikungunya are endemic.1
DETERMINING RISK
Will is traveling for “bleisure”—business and leisure
60% of business travelers incorporate leisure activities into their work trip, and this can increase their risk of contracting a mosquito-borne virus.2
Where are they working?
Business trips are not limited to urban areas. Work may take place in both urban and rural areas.3
Will they be exploring in their free time?
Additional spontaneous leisure activities can make it difficult to determine risk.3
How long is their trip?
Risk exposure during short but frequent business trips can accumulate and be comparable to risks associated with longer trips.3
Select one
Who is responsible for protecting employees while they are traveling for work?
Correct! Employers have a “duty of care” to protect employees on the job and should prepare their workers with pretravel health consultations before sending them on business trips.3,5
Incorrect. Employers have a “duty of care” to protect employees on the job and should prepare their workers with pretravel health consultations before sending them on business trips.3,5
True or false?
Business travelers have the highest compliance with personal protective measures compared to other travelers
Correct! In a survey conducted in 2017, 89% of all business travelers who got malaria did not take their antimalarial medication. Historically, business travelers have shown low adherence to prevention measures.3
Good guess. In a survey conducted in 2017, 89% of all business travelers who got malaria did not take their antimalarial medication. Historically, business travelers have shown low adherence to prevention measures.3
SUMMARY
Ask your business travelers, like Will, about their unpredictable itinerary to recommend specific protection measures that may address their unique risks.
Raise awareness and educate travelers about mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases to better prepare them for healthy travels
Emphasize the importance of personal protection measures and bite avoidance
If appropriate, recommend available vaccines and medications
References: 1. Arboleda N, Bonilla L. Chapter 10: Popular itineraries: Dominican Republic. In: Brunette GW, Nemhauser JB, eds. CDC Yellow Book 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated June 24, 2019. Accessed March 13, 2023. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/popular-itineraries/dominican-republic 2. Unpacking bleisure traveler trends. Expedia Group. 2018. Accessed March 13, 2023. https://info.advertising.expedia.com/bleisure-travel-trends 3. Bunn WB. Chapter 9: Travel for work & other reasons: the business traveler. In: Brunette GW, Nemhauser JB, eds. CDC Yellow Book 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated June 24, 2019. Accessed March 13, 2023. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/travel-for-work-other-reasons/the-business-traveler 4. Mosquito bite prevention (United States). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. October 13, 2016. Accessed March 13, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/pdfs/fs_mosquito_bite_prevention_us.pdf 5. Claus L. Duty of care and travel risk management global benchmarking study. 2011. Accessed March 13, 2023. https://www.internationalsosfoundation.org/-/media/international-sos-foundation/files/resources/international/white-papers/duty-of-care-and-travel-risk-management-benchmarking-study_europe.pdf?la=en
