In terms of morbidity, infectious diseases, such as respiratory tract infection and travellers’ diarrhoea, and injuries are important concerns for travellers (Behrens, 1990; Bewes, 1993; Cossar et al., 1990). The main health complaints of returned Australian travellers reported in a 1999 survey of travel insurance claims included respiratory (20%), musculoskeletal (17%), gastrointestinal (14%), ear, nose and throat (12%), and dental conditions (7%) (Leggat et al., 2002). This compares with the major specified illnesses and accidents reported in a recent Swiss study, which included infectious disease (43.5%), accidents involving the extremities (15.3%), psychiatric conditions (8.2%), pulmonary disorders (4.7%), and accidents involving the head (4.7%) (Somer Kniestedt et al., 2003).

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Cossar JH, Reid D, Fallon RJ, et al. A cumulative review of studies on travellers, their experience of illness and the implications of these findings. J Infect 1990; 21: 27-42.

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Somer Kniestedt RA, Steffen R. Travel health insurance: Indicator of serious travel health risks. J Travel Med 2003; 10: 185-189.