foodborne and waterborne health risks
Find out whether you can drink their water or not as each country has different water quality.
When eating the street food try a little bit at a time to try taste the quality and see if you have any reaction or not, also check out the food preparation standard.
Always check reviews on different restaurants you are going to eat at.
In Bali at one of the resorts i put my head underwater in their pool and the next day i had an ear infection and i couldn’t open my eyes due to an eye infection.
Also be aware of different countries Covid restrictions and what they mean to travel.
Jail lockup
Just be aware of the countries legal system and their laws.
Also don’t overstay your visa.
Don’t talk politics to the locals about the countries politicians.
Countries can chenge what is legal and what is not overnite.
Thailand for example used to give the death sentence for drug importation but now
people can smoke their drugs in public.
Do your research and ask someone in the know about the country.If you do get yourself thrown into jail seek consular support.
Theft, robberies and muggings
Be smart when you visit a country dont always dress as a tourist try and fit in with the culture clothing wise and know their customs.
Robberies and muggings are two crimes that are prevalent in some nations. Petty crime is widespread.
These crooks tend to seize opportunities. This includes bag snatchers and pickpockets.
Be mindful of both your own security and the possessions you select to bring
Before you go decide what you really need to take, maybe leave expensive things behind, get tamper proof bags, travel insurance and do your research .
When you are out and about carry the minimum amount of money left the rest at the safe. USe locks on all your baggage and find somewhere to stash cards on your body so that it is not seen externally.
Disease/ illness
Any illness that develops as a direct result of travelling, is considered to be travel-related. There are several illnesses that are regarded as travel-related diseases, with malaria, tuberculosis,rabies,lymes disease,cholera, typhoid fever, and yellow fever being some of the most dreaded. And although some may only have minor or no symptoms, others, if unchecked, can be fatal.
The sources of travel-associated illnesses differ due to the great variety of illnesses that are related to travel. Typical sources of illnesses brought on by travel include:
being bitten by a mosquito, tick, or other creature that is infected
ingesting improperly prepared meals and beverages, such as unpasteurized dairy products, raw or undercooked meats, fruit or vegetable peels, well or tap water, or filthy salad
exposure to persons who have contracted the disease
improper use of medications for disease prevention
Lack of proper hygiene
Not receiving appropriate vaccinations
In cases of mild travel-related disease, diarrhea is the most common sign. It is typically overcome in a matter of days, often with over-the-counter medication or no treatment at all. Depending on the disease, symptoms may be more severe and more difficult to overcome. Common travel-related diseases and their symptoms include:
Malaria — Though the disease can lay dormant for as long as a year, symptoms include those of the flu, such as chills and high fever.
Tuberculosis — Chest pain, weight loss, chills or fever, loss of appetite, night sweats, or a cough that lasts three or more weeks and produces blood might indicate tuberculosis.
Typhoid fever —Typhoid fever is caused by unclean food or drink, and symptoms mimic other stomach-related illnesses such as stomach pain or headaches, prolonged high fever, sudden loss of appetite, a rash, constipation, or weakness.
Yellow fever — Initial symptoms include body aches, headaches, fever and chills that may take three to six days to manifest.
The best way to stop a lot of problems is to be aware of the mosquito problem and deterring them especially at m]night time.
Motor vehicle accident
Some countries don’t have a very good record on vehicle accidents. One country that was like that was Vietnam, people hang out the vehicles when they are driving, the bigger the vehicle you have others give way to and some parts ot the roads had big craters in them. In this country i paid for a driver to get around.
Traffic laws are frequently not properly implemented in low- and middle-income nations. The mix of vehicles on the road, including pedestrians, two-, three-, and four-wheeled cars, animal-drawn vehicles, and other modes of transportation, is frequently more complicated than in high-income countries. The roads may be improperly built and maintained, with insufficient lighting, signs, and driving practises. On the roads, all users of transportation—drivers and pedestrians—should exercise extraordinary caution and attention.
A lot of tourists in Thailand hire the moped motorcycles which is popular form of transport,
and they can come to grief when you mix alcohol and wet conditions.
Also crossing a road can be dangerous my cousin got hit in Italy crossing the road and the family had to raise thousands for medical expenses and a medical flight home. (no insurance)
Many times in these countries any tourist included in a accident automatically is in the wrong.
There are a number of practical precautions that travellers can take to reduce the risk of being involved in, or becoming the victim of, a road traffic collision.
Precautions
Obtain information on the regulations governing traffic and vehicle maintenance, and on the state of the roads, in the countries to be visited.
Before renting a car check the state of its tyres, seat belts, spare wheels, lights, brakes, etc.
Know the informal rules of the road; in some countries, for example, it is customary to sound the horn or flash the headlights before overtaking.
Be particularly vigilant in a country where the traffic drives on the opposite side of the road to that used in your country of residence.
Do not drive after drinking alcohol.
Drive within the speed limit at all times.
Always wear a seat-belt where these are available.
Do not drive on unfamiliar and unlit roads.
Do not use a moped, motorcycle, bicycle or tricycle.
Beware of wandering animals.
In addition, travellers driving vehicles abroad should make sure that they carry their personal driving licence as well as an international driving permit and that they have full insurance cover for medical treatment of injuries
Violence
In some countries violence is a way of life, it means that you just have to be aware of your circumstances. An example of this was an Australian woman in Thailand who was carring a handbag and these motorcycle thueves tried to grab her purse but she wouldn’t let go , so a knife was used to kill the woman to release the bag.
In some countries i have been indirectly threatened with a knife and the best strategy is to get away as soon as possible.
Precautions
Moderate consumption of alcohol and avoid illicit drugs.
Avoid becoming involved in verbal arguments that could escalate into physical fighting.
Leave the scene if you feel threatened by the mood and tone set by other people’s behaviour.
Avoid going to someone else’s private home or hotel room until you know them well.
Be alert to the possibility of muggings during the day as well as at night.
Keep jewellery, cameras and other items of value out of sight and do not carry large sums of money on your person.
Avoid isolated beaches and other remote areas.
Use taxis from authorized ranks only.
Avoid driving at night and never travel alone.
Keep car doors locked and windows shut.
Be particularly alert when waiting at traffic lights.
Park in well-lit areas and do not pick up strangers
Hijacking
Employ the services of a local guide/interpreter or local driver when travelling to remote areas.
Vehicle hijacking is a recognized risk in a number of countries. If stopped by armed robbers, make no attempt to resist and keep hands where the attackers can see them at all times.
Check on the risks before you go a country especially third world countries as these countries can change quickly due to economic or political changes. An example of this was a few years ago in Venezula…Former Venezuelan beauty queen and her British husband , have been shot dead in their car in Venezuela after breaking down on the highway.
Animal attack
Be aware of different animals especially dangerous ones in each country. Whenever i swim in different countries seas i always find out about the shark population ie do you have any attacks here and what species are there here.
In Australia you have to be aware of the snake population here also as we have most of the top ten poisonous snakes in the world available for you to perouse. In northern Australia there is the poisonous box jellyfish and Irukandji floating in the water in Summer not to mention the sea crocodiles and the Tiger sharks.
In asai you have the Tigers and cobras and also some of the monkeys and street dogs which have can give you rabies if they bite you.
Trying something different
If you are not used to swimming for example in Surf in the ocean take time to watch the waves and swim where the waves are breaking. Many tourists have drowned in the surf not understanding the risks and power of waves and their undercurrents and rips.
Other things
Also beware of terrorist warnings or terror groups operating in that region. In the Philippines their are muslim terror groups operating in the southern islands. Tourists who venture too far have been captured. Pirates operate in certain parts of Asia.
Gang warfare in places like central America with the drug cartels. Or political activist groups wanting to make statements by kidnaping tourists.