Overseas travel health advice
In the UK, nurses provide the majority of travel health advice to travellers. Use this resource to find out more about travelling to countries where there is a risk of disease, including rabies, Zika virus (ZIKV), measles and yellow fever.
To find out more about visiting countries where there is a risk of acquiring travel related diseases, please follow national guidance as highlighted throughout this resource.
Hajj and Umrah
Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) takes place between the 8th and 12th day of the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the largest mass gatherings in the world.
British pilgrims wishing to undertake Hajj are advised to follow the of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for pilgrimage travellers or seasonal workers planning to go Saudi Arabia.
- Muslim Council of Britain: .
- Council of British Hajjis: .
- NaTHNaC: General advice on Hajj and Umrah.
- TRAVAX: .
- Fitfortravel: .
Rabies
Rabies is an infectious viral disease and one of the deadliest diseases passed to humans from animals. , so travellers need to be aware of rabies in the destination and know what to do in the event of a potential exposure. Nurses should be aware of current guidance and advise travellers on the prevention and treatment options available to them.
As well as personal protection measures, a pre-exposure rabies vaccine is recommended to those travelling to a high-risk country, for example, Africa or Asia. This is especially important if travelling to remote areas, where medical care and rabies post-exposure treatment may be difficult to access or unavailable. Comprehensive travel health insurance is highly recommended.
Useful resources
- UKHSA. . Nurses in the UK should continue to follow guidance from the .
- UKHSA. Immunisation against infectious disease. .
- National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC): .
- World Health Organisation: (2023).
Zika virus
ZIKV is transmitted predominantly by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, most commonly Aedes aegypti. Aedes mosquitoes are more active during daylight hours both indoors and outdoors. Aedes spp. mosquitoes have adapted to living with humans including in urban environments, laying their eggs in any receptacle where water collects.
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Those infected are often asymptomatic but illness similar to dengue or chikungunya (also transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes) can occur. Illness is usually short and mild, serious complications and deaths from ZIKV are uncommon.
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ZIKV infection during pregnancy is a cause of congenital brain abnormalities, including microcephaly. ZIKV is a trigger of neurological complications such as Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).
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Assessing individual risk by conducting a comprehensive risk assessment is essential for those going to areas with ZIKV transmission allowing them to make an informed decision before departure. A risk assessment and a risk management form are available in the 快猫视频 competency document.
In January 2024, UK Healt