Calls For More Information About Travelling Risks

Everyone needs a break now and then and some of us like to have a bit more adventure than others; travelling to unknown destinations and doing more extreme activities. It seems, however, that we should be taking more care and advice about the places we are going and the things we are doing.

According to a specialist adviser tourists and holidaymakers need to be better informed about the risks to their health. A senior nurse adviser at Masta Travel said that people tended not to budget for the cost of essential vaccines, such as those for rabies, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and hepatitis B, which are not available on the NHS.

In addition, some people completely neglected health advice about contaminated food and water and disease-spreading insects, as well as safety and security issues in their destination.

"We feel there is definitely a need for an increased education on travel health risks," the nurse explained.

"You only need to travel around parts of Asia to see the evidence - it's surprising how many travellers you can see stroking stray dogs or having tattoos on the street."

Health advice is available from a range of online sources including Masta. The cost of vaccines not available on the NHS varies from clinic to clinic and range from about £40 to about £70.

One of the best places to get advice about travel aboard is the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website. It has detailed reports on the vast majority of countries across the world even those closer to home. The site provides information about industrial and political strife in the country as well as what is happening in the aftermath of natural disasters. It also provides detailed advice about specific laws in any particular country that are different to ours for example in some countries it is compulsory to carry identification on your person.

Before you venture away from the shores of the UK it is vital to buy comprehensive travel insurance. Make sure you read the small print and ensure all the activities you are planning to do are covered.

If you would like to know more about travel why not ask AnswerBank Travel.