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Advice for All Destinations

The risks to health whilst travelling will vary between individuals and many issues need to be taken into account, e.g. activities abroad, length of stay and general health of the traveller. It is recommended that you consult with your General Practitioner or Practice Nurse 6-8 weeks in advance of travel. They will assess your particular health risks before recommending vaccines and /or antimalarial tablets. This is also a good opportunity to discuss important travel health issues including safe food and water, accidents, sun exposure and insect bites. Many of the problems experienced by travellers cannot be prevented by vaccinations and other preventive measures need to be taken.

Measles occurs worldwide and is common in developing countries. The pre-travel consultation is a good opportunity to check that you are immune, either by previous immunisation or natural measles infection.

Ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including repatriation.

A worldwide list of clinics, run by members of the International Society of Travel Medicine is available on the ISTM website.

Immunisation

Confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended - including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions.

Cholera

Travel health advice relating to cholera.

Spread through consumption of contaminated water and food. More common during floods and after natural disasters, in areas with very poor sanitation and lack of clean drinking water. It would be unusual for travellers to contract cholera if they take basic precautions with food and water and maintain a good standard of hygiene.

Last Updated: 6th Aug, 2014
Diphtheria

Travel health advice relating to diphtheria.

Spread person to person through respiratory droplets. Risk is higher if mixing with locals in poor, overcrowded living conditions.

Last Updated: 8th Sep, 2016
Hepatitis A

Travel health advice relating to hepatitis A.

Spread through consuming contaminated food and water or person to person through the faecal-oral route. Risk is higher where personal hygiene and sanitation are poor.

Last Updated: 6th Aug, 2014
Hepatitis B

Travel health advice relating to hepatitis B.

Spread through infected blood and blood products, contaminated needles and medical instruments and sexual intercourse. Risk is higher for those at occupational risk, long stays or frequent travel, children (exposed through cuts and scratches) and individuals who may need, or request, surgical procedures abroad.

Last Updated: 24th Sep, 2015
Japanese Encephalitis

Travel health advice relating to Japanese encephalitis.

Spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. This mosquito breeds in rice paddies and mainly bites between dusk and dawn. Risk is higher for long stay travellers to rural areas, particularly if unable to avoid mosquito bites.

Last Updated: 9th Jun, 2015
Rabies

Travel health advice relating to rabies.

Spread through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite, scratch or lick on broken skin. Particularly dogs and related species, but also bats. Risk is higher for those going to remote areas (who may not be able to promptly access appropriate treatment in the event of a bite), long stays, those at higher risk of contact with animals and bats, and children. Even when pre-exposure vaccine has been received, urgent medical advice should be sought after any animal or bat bite.

Last Updated: 11th Aug, 2016
Tetanus

Travel health advice relating to tetanus.

Spread through contamination of cuts, burns and wounds with tetanus spores. Spores are found in soil worldwide. A total of 5 doses of tetanus vaccine are recommended for life in the UK. Boosters are usually recommended in a country or situation where the correct treatment of an injury may not be readily available.

Last Updated: 11th Aug, 2016
Typhoid

Travel health advice relating to typhoid.

Spread mainly through consumption of contaminated food and drink. Risk is higher where access to adequate sanitation and safe water is limited.

Last Updated: 11th Aug, 2016

Yellow fever vaccination certificate requirements for India are specific and quite lengthy; read the full details via the WHO website (external weblink).

Malaria

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes. You cannot be vaccinated against malaria.

Precaution

Malaria risk is present throughout the year. Risk is highest in north-eastern states including Assam and Orissa.
In the Andaman and Nicobar islands, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal risk is not high enough to warrant antimalarial tablets for most travellers, however, it may be considered for certain groups who may be at higher risk (see below under Low risk with additional advice).
There is low to no risk in parts of the states of Himachel Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Sikkim, and also in the cities of Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nasik and Pune.
Malaria precautions are essential, avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.
Check with your doctor or nurse about suitable antimalarial tablets.
See malaria map – additional information can be found by clicking on the Regional Information icon below the map.
High risk areas: atovaquone/proguanil OR doxycycline OR mefloquine are usually advised.
Low risk with additional advice: antimalarial tablets are not usually recommended, however, they can be considered for certain travellers who may be at higher risk e.g. longer stay in rural areas, visiting friends or relatives, those with medical conditions, immunosuppression or those without a spleen. Atovaquone/proguanil OR doxycycline OR mefloquine is advised for those at risk.
Low to no risk: antimalarial tablets are not usually advised
If you have been travelling in a malarious area and develop a fever seek medical attention promptly. Remember malaria can develop even up to one year after exposure.
If travelling to high risk malarious areas, remote from medical facilities, carrying emergency malaria standby medication may be considered.

Advice for All Destinations

Immunisation

Cholera

Diphtheria

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Japanese Encephalitis

Rabies

Tetanus

Typhoid

Malaria

Precaution

Other Health Risks

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