Financial sting: Dengue fever warnings amplify for Australian travellers
- Replies 1
As the allure of tropical destinations like Bali and Thailand continues to beckon Australian travellers, a shadow looms over these idyllic retreats.
The threat of dengue fever, a mosquito-borne tropical disease, has escalated, with reports indicating that cases have ‘at least doubled’ this year.
This surge has prompted insurance companies and health authorities to urge tourists to take simple, yet crucial, measures to protect themselves.
The rise in dengue fever cases is not to be taken lightly. 1Cover Travel Insurance reported a ‘sharp increase’ in tourists contracting the illness while abroad, with some cases resulting in exorbitant medical expenses.
‘Contracting dengue fever overseas can have serious implications to both your health and finances,’ Spokesperson Natalie Smith stated.
‘Even in moderate cases, the average cost to treat and assist travellers with dengue fever is about $7,000.’
The reality of these figures hit home with the story of a young couple in their 20s facing a $20,000 medical bill after both contracted dengue fever, as cited by Ms Smith.
‘We also had a $52,000 claim involving model Emily Gurr, who had contracted a severe case of dengue fever during her travels throughout Asia,’ she shared.
‘Emily was in hospital for 10 days and had to be air-evacuated back home to Australia for further treatment.’
Emily's experience was harrowing; she described feeling like she'd been ‘hit by a bus’, which she initially brushed off as a hangover, after a night out with her friends.
‘I didn’t know what it was but by the night time it was excruciating. I couldn't move, I thought I was dying,’ she recounted.
‘My recollection of it all is so vague as I was in so much pain.’
Emily was thought to have acquired dengue fever from a mosquito bite in Vietnam a week prior.
Taking precautions against mosquito bites is essential to prevent dengue fever. 1Cover Travel Insurance recommended several measures for protection.
Firstly, use insect repellents containing N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), known to be more effective than herbal remedies.
As aerosols are restricted on flights, they recommended opting for roll-on repellents for convenience.
Additionally, the insurance company suggested dressing in light-coloured, long-flowing pants and long-sleeved shirts to minimise skin exposure and considering using mosquito nets while sleeping for added protection.
According to them, everyone should also be mindful of peak mosquito periods, typically after sunrise and before sunset, when mosquitoes carrying dengue fever are most active and take extra precautions to avoid bites.
Lastly, to reduce the risk of mosquito breeding, they said it is crucial to eliminate stagnant water sources where mosquitoes breed, such as vases or plants with water trays.
Emily’s and others’ personal accounts underscore the severity of dengue fever, which can range from mild symptoms to severe complications such as shock, internal bleeding, and even death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that one in 20 people with dengue will develop a severe form of the disease, highlighting the importance of prevention.
Preventative measures are straightforward but vital. With over 62,000 cases reported in Indonesia in 2024 alone, and 138 cases from Western Australia acquired overseas, the WA Health Department issued a warning to those planning to travel.
‘The biggest clinical risk is someone who catches dengue for a second time with the risk of a bleeding syndrome that needs hospital attention and can—in a small percentage of cases—be fatal,’ Infectious Diseases Professor Jill Carr emphasised.
‘There are no antiviral treatments for this, but there is a vaccine. The vaccine cannot be given to everyone and is only for adults and those who have had a dengue infection before, and the vaccine comes at the cost to the individual.’
‘For many years we have been seeing rises and outbreaks of dengue cases, and Australian travellers should guard themselves against dengue by protecting themselves from mosquito bites using clothing covering the arms and legs, and mosquito repellent,’ she added.
If you develop a fever within seven days of returning from a dengue-endemic area, it's crucial to consult your doctor immediately. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve the outcome.
The recent surge in cases of tropical diseases among tourists in Bali has raised concerns about health and safety measures in travel destinations.
As authorities urge travellers to follow simple precautions to minimise health risks, including protecting against mosquito bites and practising proper hygiene, travellers are increasingly mindful of potential health hazards during their journeys.
However, unexpected incidents during travel, such as in-flight pest control measures, can also add to passengers' concerns about their well-being and comfort while flying.
Have you encountered similar health scares abroad? How do you prepare for trips to tropical destinations? Your insights could be invaluable to fellow travellers so join the conversation in the comments below.
The threat of dengue fever, a mosquito-borne tropical disease, has escalated, with reports indicating that cases have ‘at least doubled’ this year.
This surge has prompted insurance companies and health authorities to urge tourists to take simple, yet crucial, measures to protect themselves.
The rise in dengue fever cases is not to be taken lightly. 1Cover Travel Insurance reported a ‘sharp increase’ in tourists contracting the illness while abroad, with some cases resulting in exorbitant medical expenses.
‘Contracting dengue fever overseas can have serious implications to both your health and finances,’ Spokesperson Natalie Smith stated.
‘Even in moderate cases, the average cost to treat and assist travellers with dengue fever is about $7,000.’
The reality of these figures hit home with the story of a young couple in their 20s facing a $20,000 medical bill after both contracted dengue fever, as cited by Ms Smith.
Cases of dengue increased among Australian tourists in tropical destinations leading to soaring insurance claims and treatment costs abroad reaching as high as $52,000. Credits: Shutterstock
‘We also had a $52,000 claim involving model Emily Gurr, who had contracted a severe case of dengue fever during her travels throughout Asia,’ she shared.
‘Emily was in hospital for 10 days and had to be air-evacuated back home to Australia for further treatment.’
Emily's experience was harrowing; she described feeling like she'd been ‘hit by a bus’, which she initially brushed off as a hangover, after a night out with her friends.
‘I didn’t know what it was but by the night time it was excruciating. I couldn't move, I thought I was dying,’ she recounted.
‘My recollection of it all is so vague as I was in so much pain.’
Emily was thought to have acquired dengue fever from a mosquito bite in Vietnam a week prior.
Taking precautions against mosquito bites is essential to prevent dengue fever. 1Cover Travel Insurance recommended several measures for protection.
Firstly, use insect repellents containing N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), known to be more effective than herbal remedies.
As aerosols are restricted on flights, they recommended opting for roll-on repellents for convenience.
Additionally, the insurance company suggested dressing in light-coloured, long-flowing pants and long-sleeved shirts to minimise skin exposure and considering using mosquito nets while sleeping for added protection.
According to them, everyone should also be mindful of peak mosquito periods, typically after sunrise and before sunset, when mosquitoes carrying dengue fever are most active and take extra precautions to avoid bites.
Lastly, to reduce the risk of mosquito breeding, they said it is crucial to eliminate stagnant water sources where mosquitoes breed, such as vases or plants with water trays.
Emily’s and others’ personal accounts underscore the severity of dengue fever, which can range from mild symptoms to severe complications such as shock, internal bleeding, and even death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that one in 20 people with dengue will develop a severe form of the disease, highlighting the importance of prevention.
Preventative measures are straightforward but vital. With over 62,000 cases reported in Indonesia in 2024 alone, and 138 cases from Western Australia acquired overseas, the WA Health Department issued a warning to those planning to travel.
‘The biggest clinical risk is someone who catches dengue for a second time with the risk of a bleeding syndrome that needs hospital attention and can—in a small percentage of cases—be fatal,’ Infectious Diseases Professor Jill Carr emphasised.
‘There are no antiviral treatments for this, but there is a vaccine. The vaccine cannot be given to everyone and is only for adults and those who have had a dengue infection before, and the vaccine comes at the cost to the individual.’
‘For many years we have been seeing rises and outbreaks of dengue cases, and Australian travellers should guard themselves against dengue by protecting themselves from mosquito bites using clothing covering the arms and legs, and mosquito repellent,’ she added.
If you develop a fever within seven days of returning from a dengue-endemic area, it's crucial to consult your doctor immediately. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve the outcome.
The recent surge in cases of tropical diseases among tourists in Bali has raised concerns about health and safety measures in travel destinations.
As authorities urge travellers to follow simple precautions to minimise health risks, including protecting against mosquito bites and practising proper hygiene, travellers are increasingly mindful of potential health hazards during their journeys.
However, unexpected incidents during travel, such as in-flight pest control measures, can also add to passengers' concerns about their well-being and comfort while flying.
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