Where NOT to fall ill abroad

A map of the riskiest destinations for contracting an illness or being involved in an accident has been published by health organisation International SOS.

The Health Risk Map 2015 ranks destinations in five categories, in order to help companies and travellers understand the risks they face in different countries when getting medical treatment.

Categories include low risk, medium risk, high risk and extreme risk, with another category for large, rapidly developing countries.

HOW TO READ THE HEALTH RISK MAP 

The key to the map is a colour-coded chart showing the quality of medical healthcare available and the options available to travellers:

BROWN

Large rapidly developing countries

Selected group of large rapidly developing countries where there is a vast difference between the high quality medical care available in major cities and low levels of care generally available throughout the rest of the country.

Medical assistance: In major cities: Selection of quality providers. Evacuation sometimes required. Elsewhere: Selection of best care available. Case monitoring. Transfer to a higher quality facility. Moderate and sever illness/injury may require evacuations

GREEN 

Low risk

International standard of care throughout. All tertiary-level, specialist and sub-specialist care widely available. High-quality emergency and dental services and a wide range of quality prescription drugs available. Low risk of infecyious diseases

Medical assistance: Medical referral. Assistance with language and cultural differences. Payment. Evacuation rarely required

YELLOW 

Medium risk

High or international standard available from selected providers; other providers offer a lower standard of care. Adequate emergency services and dental care usually available. Some risk of water-borne diseases. Diseases such as malaria and dengue fever may be present.

Medical assistance: Selection of quality providers. Case monitoring. Sever illness/injury may require evacuations.

ORANGE 

High risk

Countries with limited medical capabilities. Emergency services and dental care may be basic. Access to quality prescription drugs may be limited and, in some cases, counterfeiting and/or improper storage of drugs is an issue. Serious infectious diseases such as typhoid, cholera, dengue fever and malaria may pose a threat.

Medical assistance: Selection of best care available Case monitoring. Transfer to a higher quality facility. Any condition requiring hospitalisation may require international evacuation.

RED 

Extreme risk

Countries where healthcare is almost non-existent or severely over-taxed. There may be no emergency or dental services, Quality prescription drugs are usually not available. There is a high risk of food or water-borne infections. Serious infectious diseases such as dengue, malaria, typhoid and cholera are common.

Medical assistance: Selection of best care available. Case monitoring. Transfer to a higher quality facility. All but minor health issues may require international evacuation.

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