The average medical risks travelling abroad
Travel Insurance is not a legal requirement but it really is very important. If you do become involved in an accident, health emergency or are struck down by illness, the medical professional dealing with you will expect to find evidence of a travel insurance policy and it is up to you to provide that vital information.
ALWAYS carry your policy certificate with you and share your travel insurance details with friends or family back home in the UK.
Below are estimates of the monthly risk per 100,000 people travelling in developing countries:
- 60 people will have to be evacuated by flight in order to get comprehensive treatment.
- 400 people are hospitalised at the destination.
- 2,000 people will not able to go back to work directly after getting home.
- 6,000 people will become ill during the month.
- 8,000 people will have consulted a medical practitioner either at the destination or after getting home from their travels.
- 25,000 people will become ill at some time during the length of their whole trip away.
- 55,000 will use medication during the month.
Many of the diseases mentioned below can be avoided by taking simple precautions. Ensuring that you are fully vaccinated for the countries you are visiting is essential.
Below are the estimates of how infectious diseases are distributed per 100,000 travellers:
- Less than one person gets meningitis, cholera or legionella
- 10 get HIV-infection
- 40 get typhoid fever
- 80 get hepatitis B
- 150 are exposed to rabies
- 200 get gonorrhea
- 300 get hepatitis A
- 1500 get bronchial infections
- 2500 get malaria
- 10 000 get diarrhoea E .coli
- 50 000 get traveller’s diarrhoea
