'Seek travel advice from healthcare professionals'

Prospective expatriates could be wise to check their international health insurance policies before they travel, according to TV doctor Pixie McKenna.

The healthcare professional said many travellers are likely to take travel advice from their friends and colleagues rather than seek medical information from a qualified doctor.

"People are misinformed about many things and if you hear something from a friend or a colleague you are probably going to think that it is the correct information instead of trying to verify it yourself with a healthcare professional" she noted.

Her comments follow the launch of the Eight Weeks To Go campaign, which is designed to dispel myths around holiday health advice, such as gin and tonic preventing malaria and friendly dogs not carrying rabies.

Dr McKenna, who is working on the campaign, advises prospective travellers to be proactive in seeking advice from healthcare professionals in order to enjoy a healthy trip overseas.