Nobody wants to get sick on an overseas holiday! Much as travel insurance has freed us to truly enjoy other countries, including their rivers, food and people without the risk of coming home tens of thousands of dollars in debt from medical bills, prevention is always better than cure. The health landscape worldwide is constantly changing, as new strains of disease evolve and find resistance to current treatments, so it is important to check out current events in the world health arean before you leave the country. Today we look at what you should be aware of, for travel insurance and vaccination purposes, if you are travelling overseas during summer 2009/2010.

General Travel Health, Summer 2009/10

Managing your health varies widely from place to place in the world. A lot of us tend to assume that because the local people have survived relatively unscathed, that we will too. This is sometimes right – however in many cases local people have built up years of immune resistance to particular bugs. In some cases, the people that could not survive the pathogens in a particular area simply died as children. Here is some general health advice for travelling overseas in summer 2009/2010:

Always see a doctor several months prior to leaving and get all recommended vaccinations for the region you are travelling to.
Always get medical travel insurance
If you have a pre-existing condition, have a checkup with your doctor and devise a written management plan
If you need to take your own medication overseas, you will need a letter of authority to carry it from your host country.
Apply insect repellent regularly, stay away from local domestic animals, and follow rules for safe eating and drinking and safe sex.
Dengue Fever
Queensland has seen a major dengue outbreak over summer 2009/2010, and Cape Verde and Senegal have seen their first ever dengue outbreak (up to 1000 cases per day have been reported). If you are travelling from Queensland, it may be wise to carry a certificate of vaccination for dengue even if the country you are travelling to doesn’t usually have it. This will help you avoid logistics-related travel insurance claims.

Rabies

A rabies outbreak has been recently reported in Bali, and in Ghana several people have died from the disease. A post exposure vaccination is not available, and even people simply spending time bicycling and walking in rural areas could contract the disease.

Cholera

In Malaysia and Papua New Guinea, there have been several cases of cholera reported. In Malaysia one source is thought to be contaminated fish used to make crackers – what would usually be assumed to be a safe food. Six ice factories have also been ordered closed. This disease is vaccine preventable – if you have your needle you’ll be saved the hassle of claiming on your travel insurance.

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever has gained a foothold in Brazil, where seven people have so far died and dozens more have been diagnosed with the disease. While Brazil doesn’t require that travelers into the country are vaccinated against yellow fever, it is strongly recommended. Holiday insurance might cover your pocketbook, but it won’t stop your trip being ruined!

Swine Flu Update

Some countries might impose quarantine measures if you are travelling with flu-like symptoms – a level of travel insurance cover that provides protection against logistical events is advisable if you have a cold or flu, so that you don’t lose out by missing a booking. You can be vaccinated against swine flu in Australia if you wish.

The FCO is the first place to check out any dangers that might be encountered when going on holiday. A recent prominent example is the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico. The FCO warned against any absolutely necessary travel to Mexico because of the risk of infection. Many tour operators provided alternative holidays for their customers and those with travel insurance could claim back the cost of any cancelled arrangements. Since then the ban has been lifted and those who no longer wish to travel to Mexico unfortunately won’t be able to recoup the cost of their holiday through their insurer, unless of course there is another valid reason not to travel. The reverse is also true. Anyone who travels against the advice of the FCO will automatically invalidate their policy. Frequent updates to the status of places occur, so it is important to take a look often. The FCO warnings are region-specific, so might include only part of a country. An example would be the recent bomb in Lahore, Pakistan, which put parts of the country off limits whilst other parts were open to travel to. In the event of your tour operator cancelling your trip they should offer a refund or replacement. What they will not do is offer compensation for inconvenience or disruption caused, but you can claim for this through your travel insurance policy. If all goes well and you arrive where you should have and on time, you should also reduce the risk of becoming ill whilst abroad. Most of it is common sense. If the guidebook warns against drinking tap water, then obviously don’t do it. Washing your hands is often even more important abroad, particularly in hot countries, than at home, and is the simplest way to avoid the transmission of germs and bacteria. When dining out or cooking yourself make sure meat is properly cooked, so that any germs have been killed in the cooking process. White meats should be pale and of an even colour, with no traces of pinkish opaque flesh showing through. The juices that flow from white meat when cooked should be clear, not pink or bloody. Red meats obviously aren’t necessarily well done and can be bloody. Other annoyances occur for a vast number of reasons, such as the incident at Bangkok airport in November, when protesters held a sit-in and stopped the airport from functioning. There was no danger of violence but it did casue a lot of flights to be cancelled. Travel insurance really helps under these circumstances because it means another flight will be provided for you, so you won’t end up stranded. There is no need to be scared of travelling overseas. It is true that dangers and annoyances exist, but so long as you have a decent travel insurance policy then you will be alright in the end.

I am planning to travel to Munnar for a vacation on Aug-22 for 3 days along with family two kids (16 & 8 yrs). I would like to know if it is safe to travel during this swineflu threat everywhere. pl. suggest

All your answers are very much appreciated. thanks

After all the massive publicity of swine flu, and the closure of all businesses and schools in Mexico, finally, things are getting better and better. Now that more information is presented in the analysis, other countries like the United States, have seen the cases of "swine flu" is not, I repeat, is not related to travel to Mexico. All companies are open to tourists in Puerto Vallarta and take advantage of the beautiful and get asylum in Mexico. Travel warning launched the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and not a "non-essential travel to Mexico, which has been in force April 27, 2009, by its decision will have been removed and now only a" trip of Health precautions "is there to travel to Mexico. Canada had already been issued travel advisory Mexico, which has been officially abolished on 18 May. This is a "non-essential" travel warning was in Mexico because of the excessive media propaganda that has been created for influenza. Press conferences were held in Canada's Chief Public Health Officer Dr. David Butler-Jones stressed that "the outbreak in Mexico," now appears appeased. He explained that it is not logical to put a travel warning to the country where the spread of the virus is similar to that of Canada, which is negligible. Because of travel to remove this advisory, the PHAC to provide health alert notices to air travelers coming out of Mexico. In addition, quarantine officers, who had previously been a direct flight, almost all who come to Mexico from Canada, is removed. However, the "Border Services Agency, Canada" will continue to maintain control of all air passengers who show signs of and under the influence of swine flu. Most Canadian airlines have not officially announced the result of the travel ban, which was located in Mexico. However, WestJet announced a policy to continue "no fly" to Mexico until the 20th June. But what's great that Air Canada will make a few trips to Puerto Vallarta in May. So do not think that we should expect more, and come down, because here in Puerto Vallarta is a safe and healthy. Read more about Puerto Vallarta rentals dot com PVRPV contact numbers. His office number in Mexico is 322 222. 0638. If you call from USA or Canada, please contact your local Vonage number 206 388. 3703. You can send her e-mail Tim. For more information PVRPV dot com, which has taken care of the local community and tourists for the past four years. They have qualified staff who have years of experience and can help rental properties in Puerto Vallarta.