Additional Resources

Travel Abroad

• Travel Preparation and Safety Abroad from Global Education Office 
• International Programs/Travel from Risk Management and Insurance

Boating and Water Safety

• Department of Game and Inland Fisheries 
• U.S. Coast Guard - Personal Floatation Devices

Health Information

• EHS' Occupational Safety and Health Program for Animal Handlers (provides guidance on zoonotic diseases, animal-related allergies, and fact sheets on a variety of domestic animals)
• Center for Disease Control - Traveler's Health 
• Center for Disease Control - Ticks 
• WebMD - Altitude Sickness

Travel Vaccinations

Travel vaccinations may be needed to protect your health and/or may be required by the country to which you are traveling.

Students who are studying abroad or who are receiving course credit, and employees who are traveling for non-research related activities, will need to arrange their own vaccinations. You should determine what vaccinations are recommended for where you are traveling using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. Vaccinations may be available through the Schiffert Health Center or the Virginia Department of Health – New River Valley District at 540-585-3300. You will be responsible for all costs associated with these vaccines.

Employees who are performing field research and students who are working under an approved protocol and who are not receiving course credit may be eligible to receive vaccinations through Environmental Health and Safety at no cost. Please complete the EHS Medical Survey so that this determination can be made.

Please note that it may take a month or longer to receive all required vaccinations, depending on what you need to receive, so plan accordingly!

Extreme Weather

Extreme weather conditions can drastically affect research in the field, and place lives in danger in certain circumstances. Weather condictions can vary greatly in a region and change quickly. More frequent and intense weather events (e.g. hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, etc.) can have significant impact on research activities. Being aware of and prepared for potential severe weather events in the vicinity of field operations can save time, data/specimens, equipment, and lives. Plan to have access to local and regional weather conditions in some manner, and when working in severe heat or cold environments, have a plan for prevention as well as medical response actions.

• National Weather Service 
• Cold Stress 
• Heat Stress
• Lightning Safety