More Kiwis die on foreign soil

Lack of vaccinations is one factor proving deadly for travelling New Zealanders. Photo / Natalie Slade

Kiwi's lax attitude to getting our travel jabs may be killing us.

The number of New Zealanders dying overseas has increased 160 per cent in five years, and many of those deaths are in sweltering destinations like north Australia or South-East Asia, prone to tropical infections and diseases.

Figures obtained by the Herald on Sunday under the Official Information Act show 127 Kiwis have died overseas this year, up from 49 in 2006.

Australia and Thailand recorded the highest number of deaths of Kiwi travellers.

This year, 30 Kiwis died in Australia - up from 17 in 2008 and 2009. In Thailand, 11 Kiwis died this year. Eight died in Britain, and seven each in the United States and Germany. Six died in Indonesia and the same number in Canada.

The deaths have prompted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to urge Kiwis to register their travel plans on the "safe travel" website. A ministry spokesman said registering allowed diplomats to contact people when things went wrong, and helped them keep New Zealanders safe.

It is estimated only 14 per cent of travellers are fully immunised before setting off.

Immunisation Advisory Centre director Nikki Turner said people made silly decisions when they travelled because they were stressed.

"People don't think travel is stressful but it is," she said. "You're out of your own environment. A lot of deaths overseas are caused by accidents."

Travellers, particularly young backpackers, were more likely to take risks while abroad.

"People drink too much and get out of control with risk-taking behaviour. Safe sex is a huge one, particularly in Thailand," she said.

She advised travellers to make sure they were up-to-date with all their vaccinations, including tetanus, polio and measles and hepatitis A and B.

The MFAT safe travel website warns a number of overseas tourists have died in Bali after being bitten by dogs and the Indonesian Government has confirmed rabies is affecting dogs on the island.

Insurance Council chief executive Chris Ryan said families could face enormous costs to repatriate their loved ones.

Medical costs could top $300,000 in the US and returning to New Zealand could cost up to $50,000, he said.