Report: More sick travelers take to the skies
Created 7/21/2010

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention logged more than 3,000 cases of infectious diseases among travelers last year, just a small portion of the actual number of travelers who fly while sick.

According to data obtained by USA Today, the number of cases was up significantly from the previous year, which officials partially attribute to increased reporting in the wake of the H1N1 scare. Among the more exotic diseases are 662 cases of tuberculosis, 518 of chicken pox and shingles (many from cruise ships), and 78 cases of measles. Contagious illnesses can be compounded by the cramped quarters of airplanes.

Many of the diseases, like measles, could be prevented if travelers had the proper vaccinations. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University, an infectious disease expert, says that many parents choose not to vaccinate their children.

"The global village is getting smaller and smaller. We must protect ourselves here in order to avoid the reintroduction and spread of these diseases, which many young parents today have forgotten," he told the news source.

"I always tell my patients it's an insurance policy," Dr David Freedman of the International Society for Travel Medicine told the news source.

Still, the best insurance policy is an actual one. Sickness can ruin a vacation, but by taking out a travel insurance policy that provides medical coverage, passengers will have the peace of mind of knowing that they won't be fiscally responsible in case of illness.

Related Products: Travel Health Insurance Products

Related Articles: Travel Health Insurance

View TravelInsuranceCenter.com News Archive