Health Risks in China

In every destination, there are health issues to be considered. And when travelling to this Asian republic, it is important to read up on all its health risks to come prepared.

The sense of security provided by private or international health insurance can be indispensable to expats.

Common illnesses

Insects are the most common carriers of these risks in China, where mosquitoes, ticks, and others can all bring disease along. At certain times of the year, these risks may escalate, although no major cases have been reported in the last few decades. Preventive measures should still be practised, such as wearing protective clothing and taking preventive medications, especially for malaria which frequently occurs in the provinces of Anhui, Yunnan, Hainan from May to December.

Aside from insects, food and water can also be carriers of health risks, including hepatitis A and typhoid fever.

When in China, it is recommended that one drink bottled water and eat only well-cooked food. Anti-diarrheas will be helpful as well as simply drinking lots of water to replenish lost fluids when one has this condition. In farms and other open, rural areas, Japanese encephalitis could be a risk- although cases have been very few and minor. For expats who are fond of the outdoors or those who usually spend time with animals other than their pets, rabies could be a risk.

Apart from practising basic precautions to avoid these risks, it is wise to have international health insurance to depend on. That allows expats to appease their worries about getting sick in this country where they may have a few friends and relatives in the beginning.