Shots are not mandatory unless there is a state department advisory. If you have not already had the Hepatitis B series, you may want to consider starting the series before you leave. You may also consider the Hepatitis A shot, which immunizes against the Hepatitis A virus found in contaminated food and water. Typhoid and malaria shots may be necessary, depending on where you will travel in China and the time of year.

For most travelers a safari to Africa raises a number of red flags regarding health issues. For southern Africa (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe) there are no required inoculations and health concerns are the same as those for travel to eastern Europe or the Caribbean. For east Africa (Kenya and Tanzania) health concerns and inoculations are the same as those for travel to South America or east Asia.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there are no required shots for travel to Nepal. However, it is recommended that you be vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B at minimum. You should also check with your personal doctor and local health department for recommendations. In general, when traveling internationally, it is best to avoid drinking tap water and beverages containing ice, and eating food cooked by street vendors.

Yes, we can process your visa application at the Chinese consulate in Houston, no matter which state do you live.

Officially, no shots are required to enter China or to return to the U.S. from China. That said, please see your personal doctor or a travel medicine specialist to find out what they recommend in light of your personal medical history and needs, and to find out about any health related updates from organizations such as the World Health Organization.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there are no required shots for travel to Kazakhstan. However, it is recommended that you be vaccinated for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and typhoid, at minimum. Furthermore, the CDC recommends that you obtain routine vaccinations such as MMR and the DTP if yours are not current. You should also check with your personal doctor and local health department for their recommendations.

If you are a City of Madison resident and your doctor or clinic does not have travelers information, call the Intake Nurse at 266-4821. The Intake Nurse can provide suggestions for which shots you need and for decreasing your risks of diarrheal illnesses or insect borne infections. Planning one to two months ahead can help you enjoy a healthy trip. For more information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) travel page, click here.

Contact your healthcare provider or the public health department as early as possible to check on the immunizations you may need. Vaccines against certain diseases such as hepatitis A, yellow fever and typhoid fever are recommended for different countries. The time required to receive all immunizations will depend on whether you need one dose or a vaccine series.

The Alexandria Health Department no longer offers immunization for foreign travel. For information on sites in Alexandria where you can get travel immunizations, please call (703) 838-4400 ext. 210.

Before we let the kitten leave, it will be up-to-date with its vaccinations. If the kitten is less than 16 weeks old, the vaccinations will not be complete and the kitten will have to receive additional vaccinations from your veterinarian.. Vaccinations routinely given include the upper respiratory series for calici, panleukopenia and herpes.

That's not surprising. There are two veterinary organizations in the United States. They disagree on the most important canine issues such as feeding, vaccinations, and dental care. Your vet no doubt belongs to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The health information on my web site comes from vets who belong to the American HOLISTIC Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA).

Many variables affect how much will be needed in your particular situation. Your consultant can provide you with a listing of costs specific to your case. There is a “required donation” of $3,000 U.S. dollars to your child’s orphanage, plus in-country airfare, lodging, interpreter costs, local legal costs, etc.

It depends on the business contacts that you have and whether or not your clients or suppliers can speak English. Generally speaking, no - it's not essential because there are always interpreters available or people that can help you get around, but it makes a big difference when you make the effort to learn the language and have some understanding of the local culture.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is an excellent resource for general questions about travel with pets. Specific information pertaining to Costa Rica can be found at http://sanjose.usembassy.gov/catsdogs.html.

Generally, the best time to visit China is the earlier Summer and Fall. But if you want to visit the Ice Festival in the North, January is the best time.

China is a very safe country for foreigners to visit. Even minor crimes are punished severely, especially if related to foreigners. Vendors at some sightseeing locations may be persistent but are usually polite. Just ignore them if you donâ??t want to buy something. If you travel with a guide, just follow the guide and his direction. If you explore alone, be alert and use common sense.

Having more questions? Please consult OIE's online study abroad program guide or contact our Program Coordinator Ms. Rebecca Miller, (404) 385-8127.

Lotus Educational Foundation is a Non-Profit Organization based in California, USA. We are the oldest and most experienced provider of Homestay in China as well as the leading study-abroad organization facilitating homestay in China. Through Homestay during the Olympics, you can: enjoy discounts toward future participation in our Homestay and Chinese Immersion programs to learn Chinese, and apply for free opportunities to volunteer in China.

If the passport is lost in China, report to the local public security org anization as soon as possible. Besides, contact the embassy or consulate of your own country applying for an exit document with a certificate issued by the local public security organization. Embassy: 15 Coronation Drive, Yarralumla, Canberra, A.C.T 2600, Australia, Tel: 06 2734780, Fax: 06 2734235

The misconception in asking this question is that a traveler should worry about only the diseases that a host country fears from foreign visitors. No country requires a traveler to take prescription pills for protection against Malaria. Yet, without it, and without the additional protection of mosquito netting and repellants, travelers are likely to contract malaria.