Malaria parasites are carried by female mosquitoes
Abta issues malaria warning for exotic holidays
13 May 2008The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) has issued a malaria warning to people planning holidays in exotic destinations.
It has been predicted that the fall in value of the British pound against the euro could lead to more people heading to areas with a higher prevalence of the disease, the Press Association reports.
Abta said that mainstream holiday destinations such as France and Spain could have their positions usurped by locations in India, south-east Asia and Africa.
Figures cited by the Press Association show that 1,500 UK travellers returned from their holiday with malaria last year, with nearly three quarters of these cases involving a dangerous form of the disease.
In addition to covering holidaymakers for medical costs, travel insurance can also prove important for people who are planning adventurous or unusual trips, Abta claimed recently.
Sean Tipton, the organisation's press officer, said it was "extremely foolish" to travel abroad without insurance.
He added: "If you're going on a holiday which involves greater risk, such as an adventure holiday, or going to do something that is potentially risky without insurance then it is incredibly irresponsible."
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