The U.S. Department of State issues travel advisories based on the political and safety situation of a particular country, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) evaluates and issues them. Warning about health-related hazards in different parts of the world.
Assigned to specific outbreaks rather than individual countries, this ranking ranges from Level 1, “Practice normal precautions” (for diseases that are consistently present in a given region) to Level 4, “Avoid all travel” in the case of a pandemic or other major health crisis.
Since the summer of 2025, the CDC has issued the following recommendations: Outbreak of mosquito-borne chikungunya virus It is known to cause fever, swelling, and joint pain, which can be severe and last for years.
The outbreak began last year in China’s Guangdong province and has now hit the African island nation of Seychelles. This week, the CDC Level 2 has been issued The “Practice enhanced precautions” advisory warns travelers to take steps to avoid mosquito bites.
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“You can protect yourself by avoiding mosquito bites. This includes using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and staying in areas with air conditioning or screens on windows and doors,” the advisory reads.
Often associated with extreme luxury, the Seychelles is popular with many ultra-wealthy travelers due to its remote locations in the Indian Ocean and its concentration of private island resorts.
The country’s health care system is considered to be one of the best in Africa, but much of it is located in remote areas. A private island visited by tourists from overseas Access may be restricted during emergencies.
Seychelles is made up of 114 separate islands, approximately 12 of which are inhabited by permanent residents and dozens of which are used as resorts or day trips. The largest island, Mahe, is the main island where travelers arrive and depart for more distant destinations.
Chikungunya virus can be passed from mother to child, and newborn babies particularly at risk In the case of severe illness, the CDC urges pregnant women to “reconsider traveling to affected areas, especially if they are close to giving birth.”
The two chikungunya vaccines currently approved in the United States include the live attenuated vaccine IXCHIQ and the virus-like particle vaccine VIMKUNYA. Both can be prescribed to people who have traveled to endemic areas, but the CDC recommends that pregnant women “avoid prescribing them.” [getting the vaccine] Until after childbirth, unless “the risk of infection is high and exposure is unavoidable.”