Traveller receives $6,000 medical bill after contracting deadly virus
- Replies 11
Travelling to your dream destination is always exciting. But, while diving into fresh experiences sounds fun, heading into it without proper preparation can lead to unexpected hurdles.
Beyond the excitement, there's a side folks often miss: adventure comes with its own risks. The thrill of exploring can mean facing unexpected mishaps and learning pricey lessons.
Take it from an Aussie traveller who learned the hard way! Their story shows how important it is to be ready for anything on your adventures.
Jami Groves' trip to the picturesque Monkey Forest in Bali took a turn for the worse when a seemingly harmless photo opportunity with the local monkeys escalated into a painful ordeal.
‘Three monkeys climbed up my legs and started biting me; I had to stand still because I was worried they'd all chase me,’ Groves explained.
‘I was under the impression that the Monkey Forest was an interactive experience and wasn't officially warned of any dangers around the monkeys.’
‘We knew they took jewellery but didn't know about the biting.’
Groves was rushed to the hospital, where she received eight doses of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent rabies—a virus that is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear.
‘So, if she gets rabies, she'll never be cured?’ her friend jokingly asked in a video they uploaded on social media.
‘No, by the time you know she has rabies, it'll be too late,’ the doctor responded in confusion.
The women laughed in response to the comment, which puzzled the Indonesian medics.
‘It's not funny, it's not funny,’ Groves exclaimed, trying to regain her composure.
The total cost of her treatment was a staggering $6,000, which wiped out her savings intended for a European adventure.
‘I had to use the entirety of my Europe [trip] funds to pay for the medical bills, which cost me around $6,000, including international transaction fees. So I am pretty gutted...I hate monkeys,’ Groves said.
Groves' experience is not an isolated incident. Sarah Lancaster, another Aussie traveller, faced a whopping $60,000 in medical bills after a cat bite in Nicaragua.
Fortunately, her travel insurance covered the expenses, highlighting the importance of having comprehensive coverage when travelling abroad.
The Australian government's Smart Traveller website advises tourists to avoid contact with monkeys and seek immediate medical attention if they are bitten or scratched.
‘If bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately use soap and water to wash the wound thoroughly and seek urgent medical attention,’ the website stated.
‘If you're bitten, you may need to return to Australia, or travel to another country, for immediate treatment,’ it explained, as rabies treatment in Indonesia may be limited.
Given the popularity of Bali and Central America among Australian vacationers, obtaining ‘comprehensive travel insurance’ is essential to avoid being stranded in case of an animal-related incident while travelling abroad.
‘Comprehensive travel insurance policies differ [so] it's important to note that not all policies offer the same cover, and some may restrict or exclude certain activities and benefits,’ 1Cover spokesperson Natalie Smith said.
‘Medical expenses overseas can be eye-wateringly high and far more than one may expect.’
She emphasised the importance of emergency assistance services in insurance plans.
‘See if your chosen insurer offers emergency assistance service. A 24-hour assistance hotline can be hugely beneficial when experiencing a crisis abroad,’ explained.
In related news, New South Wales Health has issued travel warnings for Bali and other popular destinations, emphasising the potential dangers local animals pose.
Bites and scratches from these animals can be severe and may transmit life-threatening diseases. You can read more information on the risks of physical contact with these animals here.
You can watch Groves’ interaction with the doctor below:
Credit: @jamigroves/Instagram
Have you ever had a close call with animals while travelling? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.
Beyond the excitement, there's a side folks often miss: adventure comes with its own risks. The thrill of exploring can mean facing unexpected mishaps and learning pricey lessons.
Take it from an Aussie traveller who learned the hard way! Their story shows how important it is to be ready for anything on your adventures.
Jami Groves' trip to the picturesque Monkey Forest in Bali took a turn for the worse when a seemingly harmless photo opportunity with the local monkeys escalated into a painful ordeal.
‘Three monkeys climbed up my legs and started biting me; I had to stand still because I was worried they'd all chase me,’ Groves explained.
‘I was under the impression that the Monkey Forest was an interactive experience and wasn't officially warned of any dangers around the monkeys.’
Jami Groves during her holiday in Bali. Credit: @jamigroves/Instagram
‘We knew they took jewellery but didn't know about the biting.’
Groves was rushed to the hospital, where she received eight doses of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent rabies—a virus that is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear.
‘So, if she gets rabies, she'll never be cured?’ her friend jokingly asked in a video they uploaded on social media.
‘No, by the time you know she has rabies, it'll be too late,’ the doctor responded in confusion.
The women laughed in response to the comment, which puzzled the Indonesian medics.
‘It's not funny, it's not funny,’ Groves exclaimed, trying to regain her composure.
The total cost of her treatment was a staggering $6,000, which wiped out her savings intended for a European adventure.
‘I had to use the entirety of my Europe [trip] funds to pay for the medical bills, which cost me around $6,000, including international transaction fees. So I am pretty gutted...I hate monkeys,’ Groves said.
Groves' experience is not an isolated incident. Sarah Lancaster, another Aussie traveller, faced a whopping $60,000 in medical bills after a cat bite in Nicaragua.
Fortunately, her travel insurance covered the expenses, highlighting the importance of having comprehensive coverage when travelling abroad.
The Australian government's Smart Traveller website advises tourists to avoid contact with monkeys and seek immediate medical attention if they are bitten or scratched.
‘If bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately use soap and water to wash the wound thoroughly and seek urgent medical attention,’ the website stated.
‘If you're bitten, you may need to return to Australia, or travel to another country, for immediate treatment,’ it explained, as rabies treatment in Indonesia may be limited.
Given the popularity of Bali and Central America among Australian vacationers, obtaining ‘comprehensive travel insurance’ is essential to avoid being stranded in case of an animal-related incident while travelling abroad.
‘Comprehensive travel insurance policies differ [so] it's important to note that not all policies offer the same cover, and some may restrict or exclude certain activities and benefits,’ 1Cover spokesperson Natalie Smith said.
‘Medical expenses overseas can be eye-wateringly high and far more than one may expect.’
She emphasised the importance of emergency assistance services in insurance plans.
‘See if your chosen insurer offers emergency assistance service. A 24-hour assistance hotline can be hugely beneficial when experiencing a crisis abroad,’ explained.
In related news, New South Wales Health has issued travel warnings for Bali and other popular destinations, emphasising the potential dangers local animals pose.
Bites and scratches from these animals can be severe and may transmit life-threatening diseases. You can read more information on the risks of physical contact with these animals here.
You can watch Groves’ interaction with the doctor below:
Credit: @jamigroves/Instagram
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