In this paper, the causes of death are presented of 322 foreign tourists that occured during summer holidays in County of Istria, Croatia, in the period from May to September, during 5 years (from 2000 to 2004).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of the common causes of these deaths.

Data about these cases were taken out of the archives of the Institute of Public Health of County of Istria in Pula.

During this period of time there were 322 cases of deaths recorded. The rate was 3.2 deaths for 100 000 tourists. Heart attack occured in 126 cases (39%), and it was the leading cause of death. The highest number of deaths by the heart attack (n=31) was registered in 2002. The frequency of heart attack was six times higher in males than in females.The heart attack occurance was between 47% in 2000 to 30% in 2003.

Drowning was the second leading cause of death with 10.5% of all cases of deaths recorded. Out of all victims (n=34), there were three times more males then females.

Other causes of deaths were chronic ischaemic heart disease (8%), cardiac arrest (4%) and stroke (3.0%).

Conclusion:
Heart attack and drowning were the leading causes of death among foreign tourists in Istria.

Key words: mortality, foreign tourists

Department of Epidemiology, Department of Social Medicine, Institute of Public Health of the County of Istria, Croatia.

Address for correspondence:
Dr Ljiljana Lazicić-Putnik,
Institute of Public Health,
Nazarova 23, HR-52100 Pula, Croatia,
Tel.: ++385(0)52 529 054,
Fax: ++385(0) 52 529 055