[Dangerous animals].
As travellers seek ever more exotic destinations they are more likely to encounter dangerous animals. Compared to risks such as AIDS, traffic accidents and malaria, the risk is not so great; many travellers are, however, concerned about this and those who give pre-travel vaccines and advice should know something about it. This article is mainly based on medical and zoological textbooks. Venomous stings and bites may be prevented by adequate clothing and by keeping safe distance to the animals. Listening to those who live in the area is of course important. Travellers should not carry antisera with them, but antisera should be available at local hospitals. It should be borne in mind that plant eaters cause just as many deaths as large predators. In some cases it is necessary to carry a sufficiently powerful firearm.
Hasle
Gunnar
G
Reiseklinikken St. Olavs plass 3 0165 Oslo. reiseklinikken@online.no
D000818:Animals; D000832:Animals, Poisonous; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002335:Carnivora; D005400:Fishes, Poisonous; D006801:Humans; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D012104:Reptiles; D012307:Risk Factors; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D014195:Travel; D014330:Tropical Medicine