Brits are being urged to ensure they have had all the necessary vaccinations and preventative treatments before heading off on holiday, after a surge in infections of fever diseases. The UK Health Security Agency said it had seen an increase in travel-associated enteric fever cases (typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever cases) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
There were 702 cases in 2024, an 8% rise from 645 cases in 2023 and the highest number recorded annually to date. Typhoid and paratyphoid fever are serious preventable illnesses caused by Salmonella bacteria, usually spread through contaminated food or water. In the UK, most cases of enteric fever are acquired abroad, commonly in regions with poor hygiene and sanitation.
Symptoms include a persistent high fever, headache, general aches and pains, tiredness and a cough.
Separate data also shows a concerning level of imported malaria cases, despite a slight decrease in diagnoses — 1,812 in 2024, down from 2,106 in 2023.
Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at the UKHSA, said: “We are seeing high levels of infections such as malaria and typhoid in returning travellers.
“It is important that travellers remain alert and plan ahead of going abroad — even if you’re visiting friends and relatives abroad or it’s somewhere you visit often.
“The Travel Health Pro website has information on how to keep yourself and family healthy, including what vaccines to get, any important medication such as anti-malaria tablets, and how to avoid gastrointestinal infections such as typhoid and hepatitis A.
“If you are pregnant or trying to conceive there are special precautions you should take, so please speak to a healthcare professional before planning your trip.”
People travelling to high risk areas for typhoid fever can get a vaccine, which provides protection for around three years.
Malaria tablets can also be taken before and during travel, and used alongside other precautions such as malaria nets and repellent sprays.
Dr Diana Ayoola Mabayoje, co-founder of the African Diaspora Malaria Initiative, said: “Most UK malaria cases occur in Black African people returning from travel to Africa.
“Community engagement of the African Diaspora in malaria prevention is crucial to reduce imported malaria in the UK. The ADMI is leading this charge with our upcoming ‘Africans Against Malaria’ campaign.
“It will directly address the perceptions, beliefs, and behaviours that hinder malaria prevention uptake amongst the UK African diaspora and signpost where to obtain malaria chemoprophylaxis.
“Our focus is on community engagement and outreach, and we will be targeting African communities in London ahead of summer travel.”