Swine Flu insurance 1

Swine Flu insurance 1

Swine flu insurance plans
Credit card fraud warning on swine flu
Travel insurance 'will cover swine flu

Swine flu insurance plans

So far the primary symptoms of swine flu for 68 infected Americans range from fever, coughing, chest discomfort, headaches and body pains. Most of the sick say that they feel tired and run down - the same as during their prior bouts with seasonal flu bugs.

But then again, any form of flu can be deadly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that, worldwide, seasonal flu causes from 250,000 to 500,000 deaths each year.

As we wait for the results of ongoing scientific investigations, many people fear that 162 Mexicans have died so far from a deadlier strain of swine flu. The question is whether this is the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

Before the dangerous possibility of a pandemic crystalizes into reality, consumers would be wise to check their insurance policies to see what protection they have against a swine flu outbreak.

Travel Insurance Protection against Swine Flu
The CDC recommends that Americans avoid non-essential travel to Mexico. However, a Mexican trip may be unavoidable. If so, planned guests should check their travel insurance policies to ensure that they have emergency or elective ambulance coverage. This benefit will cover evacuation charges to a U.S. hospital with advanced facilities for treating swine flu.

Many group major medical benefit plans and private health insurance policies cover additional health care charges besides ambulance. Eligible employees should familiarize themselves with the out-of-country coverage as described in their benefit booklets. Travelers should bring any insurance proof-of-coverage cards or policies to their destinations.

Health Insurance for Vulnerable Travelers
The CDC considers a U.S. citizen who has a chronic condition such as diabetes, lung disease and heart disease or who is elderly as being at high risk of severe illness from influenza. Swine flu escalates that risk to possible fatality.

For swine flu risks, the CDC advises that travelers take a supply of antiviral drugs that prevent and treat influenza virus infections including swine flu. Readers should check the CDC web page for updates, but as of today the recommended antiviral medicines to prevent and treat flu are:....Read more

Credit card fraud warning on swine flu

Consumers have been warned to be wary of any emails they receive offering cures or remedies for swine flu - as they could actually be attempts to steal credit card details.

IT security firm McAfee reported that fraudsters are taking advantage of the global news story to scam consumers.

People are receiving emails with links to a site where medicine for the flu can supposedly be bought.

However, McAfee warned that the site will then simply steal the user's credit card details, or in some cases they will be sold counterfeit medicine.

Scammers have been turning to worldwide news stories in an effort to get internet users to open emails.

Last year, some fraudsters sent out fake emails containing links to a site which claimed to show the beginning of a US invasion of Iran.

The fake news site then downloaded malware onto visitors' computers.

Fake celebrity stories are also popular among fraudsters and McAfee revealed that some spam messages have combined the two - alleging that Madonna and actress Salma Hayek have contracted swine flu. Read more

Travel insurance 'will cover swine flu

Amid growing concern over the outbreak of swine flu, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has issued new information on the cover most travel insurance policies will provide for those affected by the condition.

Insurance providers should view swine flu in the same way as any other illness, the organisation said.

People who contract the virus while abroad will typically be covered for medical treatment. Travel policies should also meet the cost of rearranging flights or accommodation.

Individuals diagnosed with swine flu before they travel and their immediate family, normally classed as spouse, parents and children, should also be covered for the cost of cancellation. Read more