By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
Imagine standing on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The sun shines over the water. Tourists stroll along the sand. You’re enjoying the first day of your dream vacation.
Then, without warning, a camel bites you in the back.
That’s exactly what happened to me on my first day in Dubai.
I traveled thousands of miles from Houston to enjoy beautiful beaches, desert adventures and unforgettable experiences.
Instead, I ended up at urgent care, a hospital and a police station.
The camel bite broke my skin. Doctors started a series of five rabies vaccinations as a precaution.
And that was only the beginning of my Dubai adventure.
After years of traveling internationally, I’ve learned one important lesson. Never underestimate the value of travel medical insurance.
Believe me, I’ve had my share of vacation medical emergencies.
A camel bite on a beautiful Dubai beach
My first day in Dubai started with excitement. I couldn’t wait to explore the beaches and take photographs.
Earlier, I watched a handler walking camels along the beach. The animals attracted attention from tourists enjoying the scenery.
Later, I noticed the camels standing without a handler nearby.
I didn’t see anyone supervising them.
The animals also had no muzzles or protective mouth coverings.
I wanted to take a photograph when one of the camels suddenly bit me in the back.
The bite broke my skin.
I never imagined that a simple vacation photograph could turn into a medical emergency.
One minute, I was enjoying a beautiful beach. The next, I was trying to figure out where to get medical attention in a foreign country.
From urgent care to the hospital for rabies shots
After the camel bite in Dubai, I went to urgent care.
Medical staff examined the injury. Because the camel broke my skin, they directed me to a hospital for additional treatment.
Doctors started a rabies vaccination series as a precaution.
My treatment plan includes five doses. Today, I’m receiving my second shot.
That doesn’t mean the camel had rabies. I have no evidence that it did.
However, doctors take possible rabies exposure seriously because the disease can become fatal once symptoms develop.
Animal bites can also cause bacterial infections.
I certainly never expected to spend part of my Dubai vacation getting rabies vaccinations.
But I wasn’t about to take chances with my health.
Dubai law and the responsibility of animal handlers
One detail continues to bother me.
Earlier that day, I watched someone walking the camels along the beach. Yet when the bite happened, I couldn’t see a handler anywhere.
The animals appeared to be unattended.
Dubai has laws that place responsibilities on animal keepers.
Article 29 of Dubai Law No. 5 of 2025 addresses animal control and prohibits keepers from leaving animals unrestrained or astray.
I believe authorities should examine whether the handler followed the applicable rules.
Camels are large, powerful animals. Even a brief bite can cause a serious injury.
What if the camel had bitten a small child?
Tourists frequently stop to photograph camels. That makes proper supervision especially important in public areas.
My desert safari showed a very different approach to camel safety
Here’s something interesting.
Despite getting bitten on my first day in Dubai, I later went on a desert safari excursion.
And yes, I rode another camel!
However, I immediately noticed a major difference between the camels at the beach and those at the desert safari.
Every camel I saw during the organized safari had a protective mouth covering.
Handlers also supervised the animals during the camel rides.
The camels on the public beach had no mouth coverings. I also saw no handler nearby when the bite occurred.
The difference stood out to me.
Why did the desert safari operators use protective mouth coverings while the camels on the public beach had none?
I don’t know whether Dubai law requires those coverings in either setting. However, I saw firsthand how differently the two experiences operated.
My desert safari camel ride went smoothly. I enjoyed the excursion and continued exploring Dubai.
I don’t blame all camels for what happened.
But I do believe the people responsible for handling these animals should take reasonable precautions to protect tourists.
Filing a Dubai police report took hours
After seeking medical treatment, I decided to file a police report.
I wanted authorities to document the camel bite and examine the circumstances.
I waited nearly three hours for police to arrive.
Then I had to travel approximately another hour to provide an official statement.
By the time I finished, it was almost 11 p.m.
That was my first day in Dubai.
Instead of enjoying a relaxing evening, I spent hours dealing with medical appointments and police procedures.
I hope authorities review what happened and determine whether the animals had adequate supervision.
More importantly, I hope my experience helps prevent another tourist from getting hurt.
Why travel medical insurance matters
I’ve traveled to many countries over the years. I’ve experienced beautiful destinations, incredible adventures and unforgettable moments.
I’ve also had more than my share of unexpected medical problems.
The camel bite in Dubai is only the latest.
These experiences have taught me why travelers should consider medical insurance before leaving the United States.
COVID-19 during a trip to Greece
During one vacation in Greece, I contracted COVID-19.
Getting sick overseas creates challenges you might never consider at home.
You have to find medical care, manage your symptoms and determine whether you’re healthy enough to travel.
You may also face unexpected hotel expenses if an illness delays your return.
A scooter crash in Turks and Caicos
On another vacation, my partner crashed a scooter in Turks and Caicos. We were both hurt.
What started as an adventure quickly became an accident.
Scooters can be a popular way to explore an island. However, even experienced travelers can suffer injuries.
An accident can also leave you facing unfamiliar medical systems and unexpected expenses.
A flesh-eating bacterial infection in Honduras
One of my most frightening travel experiences happened while snorkeling in Honduras.
During the excursion, my leg struck coral and broke the skin. What started as a minor injury turned into a serious medical problem when I developed a flesh-eating bacterial infection.
I never imagined that brushing against coral while enjoying the beautiful underwater scenery could lead to such a frightening experience.
The infection required medical attention and taught me another important lesson about traveling. Even a small wound can become dangerous, especially when bacteria enter broken skin.
It’s another reason I believe travel medical insurance is so important.
Getting sick after jumping into a cenote in Mexico
During a trip to Mexico, I jumped into a beautiful cenote.
These natural swimming holes attract visitors from around the world.
Unfortunately, I became sick afterward.
I can’t confirm whether the water caused my illness. However, the timing certainly made the experience memorable.
Between Greece, Turks and Caicos, Honduras, Mexico and now Dubai, I’ve collected quite a few unusual travel medical stories.
You really can’t make this stuff up.
What travel medical insurance may cover
Many people purchase travel insurance because they worry about canceled flights, lost luggage or missed connections.
But medical emergencies can become much more expensive.
Depending on the policy, travel medical insurance may help pay for:
Emergency doctor visits and hospital treatment
Prescription medications and medical testing
Emergency transportation and medical evacuation
Treatment following certain accidents or illnesses
Additional medical expenses covered under the policy
Some plans require you to pay upfront and submit a claim later.
Others may coordinate payment directly with a hospital.
Always review the coverage limits, deductibles and exclusions before purchasing a policy.
Pay special attention to adventure activities.
Scooter riding, diving, desert excursions and other recreational activities may require additional coverage.
Travel insurance policies vary. Don’t assume every medical emergency or activity qualifies for reimbursement.
What to do if an animal bites you overseas
My camel bite in Dubai taught me how quickly an ordinary vacation moment can turn into a medical emergency.
If an animal bites you while traveling, take the injury seriously.
Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water. Seek medical care promptly, even if the injury appears minor.
Ask a healthcare professional about infection, tetanus and rabies exposure.
Take photographs of the injury and document what happened.
Keep your medical records, receipts and any official incident reports.
Those documents may become important if you need additional treatment or file an insurance claim.
And remember, an animal doesn’t have to appear sick to cause a serious injury.
One camel bite won’t ruin my Dubai vacation
Despite everything, I refuse to let this incident ruin my trip.
Dubai is a beautiful destination. I’ve enjoyed exploring the city, visiting the beaches and experiencing the desert.
I even got back on a camel during my safari excursion.
But I certainly learned to pay closer attention to how people supervise animals around tourists.
Looking back at my international adventures, I have quite a collection of medical stories.
COVID-19 in Greece. A scooter crash in Turks and Caicos. A flesh-eating bacterial infection in Honduras. Getting sick after jumping into a cenote in Mexico.
And now, a camel bite in Dubai.
Some travelers collect souvenirs.
Apparently, I collect medical emergencies.
At least I have some incredible stories to tell.
My advice? Enjoy the adventure, take the photographs and explore the world. But consider buying travel medical insurance before you leave home.
You never know when your dream vacation might take an unexpected turn.
Have you ever experienced a medical emergency while traveling internationally? Did travel insurance help? Share your experience in the comments.
Follow Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose at chopperrose.com for more travel stories, firsthand experiences and investigative reporting.
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