Latest Health Information for those Travelling to Mexico

Holiday Illness Claims advice for those travelling to Mexico in the next few weeks/

Here we give information to travellers to Mexico who want avoid illness and accident to get the most out of their stay in Mexico:

* Safety tips before you travel
* Illnesses found in Mexico
* How to keep healthy while in Mexico
* What to do if you have an accident or illness in Mexico
* What to do when you get back.
* How to make a holiday illness or accident claim

Safety Tips before You Travel

Where you stay and what you will be doing in Mexico will mean the precautions you need to take will vary. If you have booked through a UK Tour Operator, they will usually give you basic health and safety information. However, you must visit your GP or local health centre where they can perform vaccinations and offer specific advice about your location.

We recommend that you visit your GP or health centre well in advance of travel and if you decide to book a late deal to Mexico, make sure there is availability for you to get the inoculations you need.

Vaccinations are available for the following diseases:

* Diptheria
* Pertussis
* Rubella
* Mumps
* Pollovirus
* Rabies
* Hepatitus A
* Hepatitis B

You doctor should also be able to provide advice about Malaria and affected areas in Mexico.

Make sure you take out valid travel insurance and any existing policies are covered for the full period of stay and apply for travel to Mexico. Note some policies have jurisdictional limits. If you suffer a serious illness or accident whilst on holiday you could be levied with a substantial medical bill without full cover.

We recommend that you purchase sun tan lotion inn advance of travel. Minimal levels of exposure to sunlight in Mexico can lead to sunburn. Remember to pack mosquito and insect repellent as well as additional supplies of any prescription medicine that you are on in the event of delays.

We recommend that you visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCA) website in advance of travel. It is also worth checking out the websites of specialist Accident and Illness Lawyers who can advise you what to do if you need to make a personal injury claim.

Illnesses found in Mexico

The following Diseases have been known for travellers to Mexico:

* Salmonella
* Campylobacter
* Gnathostomiasis (roundworms)
* Giardia
* Cryptosporidium
* Entamoeba Histolytica
* Leptospirosis
* Dengue
* Filariasis
* Leishmaniasis

Infections such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Giardia, Cryptosporidium and Entamoeba Histolytica have often given rise to illness claims against holiday companies because they are associated with poorly prepared food and contaminated water. If you are ill either on holiday or once you come back ask your doctor to obtain a stool sample in order to test for the infection.

How to keep Healthy while in Mexico

Try to avoid insect/ animal scratches and bites by:

* Use of insect repellent and Mosquito nets where necessary.
* Wear hats, long-sleeved shirts and long trousers.
* Use insect repellent coils and candles.
* Make sure you are up to date with your tetanus vaccination.
* Avoid contact with animals including pets.
* If bitten or scratched by an animal, seek medical attention immediately.

Attempt to avoid Infection leading to diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach ache through:

* Regular hand washing with hot soapy water.
* Regular use of anti-bacterial wipes.
* Avoid tap water and ice-cubes.
* Be careful about any meat, poultry and fish consumed. Make sure your hotel restaurant is clean and well kept - and also free from cockroaches, ants, flies and rats.
* Make sure food that should be served hot is hot and cold food is served chilled.
* Make sure any dairy products are pasteurised.

What to do if you have an Accident or Illness in Mexico

Medical treatment should be sought for accidents and illness. Your travel company or insurer may be able to help you find an appropriate medical establishment.

If your accident is something that would ordinarily involve the police in this country such as a road traffic accident, the chances are that you will have to report the accident to the police in Mexico.

You should always inform your insurance company of any accident or illness experienced that you think is likely to incur costs. Make sure you or someone informs them as soon as possible to obtain a claim reference number. Failure to do so may mean you cannot make a claim.

If you booked your holiday or travel arrangements with a UK tour operator, make sure you inform them as soon as possible. If there is no representative, you might need to phone their local or UK based offices.

Make sure you keep any medical receipts, reports and photographs of all the things relating to your accident or illness. Besides a claim against your insurer, you may want to claim against your holiday company for the things that are not covered such as pain and suffering.

What to do when you get back.

If you still feel ill, visit your doctor immediately. He will have the expertise to know what kind of infection you picked up in Mexico. The doctor will tell you what precautions to take in order to prevent your illness spreading.

Insist that a stool or other sample is taken in order to identify the exact course of the illness.

If you booked a package holiday you could be able to claim against your tour operator and you should contact a holiday illness or accident claims lawyer as soon as possible. Make sure your travel solicitors have people that have worked in senior positions for the major operators. If not, they may not have the inside knowledge of tour operating that helps bring claims against them.