Disturbing Trends for UK Travellers to Asia

LITTLETON, Colo., Feb. 23, 2010 — WorldNomads.com, leading
global travel insurance provider, has released claims data
showing an alarming trend in injuries happening to their UK
customers.

Over 65% of all major claims submitted by UK travellers are
for injuries occurring in Asia. North America was the next
hotspot for claims at 25%.

The primary incidents occurring in Asia were related to road
travel accidents, 19% of claims, followed by an alarming
increase in mosquito-borne illnesses such as Dengue Fever
and Malaria, 14% of claims.

“The rising increase in incidents relating to road traffic
accidents and mosquito-borne diseases is of great concern,
and traveller education needs to play a large role in
assisting to reduce this,” says Nick Pound of
WorldNomads.com. “Travellers also need to understand that
the rules of the road that apply at home in the UK are
thrown out the window when travelling by road through Asia.
Extra precaution when crossing roads, driving scooters and
hiring cars needs to be taken.”

Dengue is a viral illness that is spread by the bite of
infected Aedes mosquitoes. This illness, once confined to SE
Asia, has now become more common in Latin America, Asia,
Africa, North America and even Australia. Dengue, nicknamed
“breakbone fever” due to the wracking muscle cramping it
causes, has no specific treatment and carries a case
fatality rate of 40-50% if left untreated and progresses to
the dreaded Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever.

“Travellers headed to areas with Dengue activity should
travel prepared to do what they can to prevent mosquito
bites. Caution should also be used when looking at the time
of year travelling occurs, especially during rainy seasons,”
comments Dr. Erik McLaughlin, WorldNomads.com’s roving
medical expert.

“Dengue is a serious and persistent health risk and savvy
travellers need to be aware of it and start getting used to
taking proper precautions.”

To learn more about travel safety and Dengue Fever visit the
WorldNomads.com Travel Safety Hub:
http://safety.worldnomads.com.

Read more stories from WorldNomads.com to help keep you
travelling safely. WorldNomads.com provides travel insurance
and travel safety services to residents over 150 countries.
Find out why WorldNomads.com is an essential part of every
adventurous traveller’s journey at http://worldnomads.com

MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Alexia Nestora
Lasso Communications
alexia[at]lassocommunications.com