In short: People in the UK are travelling abroad in large numbers again, often to more distant destinations and to visit family overseas. These trips can bring exposure to infections such as malaria, dengue, typhoid and rabies. UK data show that most imported malaria occurs in people who did not take preventive tablets, which is why pre-travel advice still matters.

This guide, written by a Ready Health prescribing pharmacist, looks at how travel patterns have changed and what they mean for your health.

How have UK travel habits changed?

International travel has recovered strongly since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office for National Statistics estimates that UK residents made about 94.6 million visits abroad in 2024. Alongside short European breaks, many people take long-haul trips, adventure holidays, cruises and extended stays, and many travel to visit friends and relatives in Africa, South Asia, the Caribbean and elsewhere.

Why do changing travel trends affect health risks?

More long-haul travel means more contact with tropical and mosquito-borne infections.
Visiting friends and relatives often involves longer stays, rural areas and local food and water, and travellers may wrongly assume they are still immune from childhood.
Last-minute bookings leave less time to complete vaccine courses.
Changing disease patterns: mosquito-borne infections such as dengue have spread to new areas, and locally acquired dengue and chikungunya cases have been reported in parts of southern Europe in recent summers.
Older travellers and people with long-term conditions travel more than in the past and may need extra planning around medicines and insurance.

Which travel-related illnesses are most important for UK travellers?

Malaria

Malaria remains the most serious common risk for UK travellers to tropical regions. In UKHSA's detailed report for 2023 there were 2,106 malaria cases in the UK, of which 1,750 (about 83%) were Plasmodium falciparum, the most dangerous species. Six people died. Most infections were acquired in West Africa, around three quarters of UK residents with malaria had travelled to visit friends and relatives, and the large majority with a known history had not taken antimalarial tablets.

Dengue

Dengue is a viral infection spread by day-biting mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical areas, including much of Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and parts of Africa. Global case numbers have risen sharply in recent years. Prevention relies mainly on avoiding mosquito bites; a vaccine is available for some people who have had dengue before, following individual assessment.

Chikungunya and Zika

These mosquito-borne viruses cause outbreaks that come and go. Zika is particularly important for pregnant travellers and couples planning a pregnancy.

Food- and water-borne infections

Travellers' diarrhoea is the most common travel illness. Typhoid and hepatitis A remain risks in areas with limited sanitation, and vaccines are available.

Rabies

Rabies is present in many countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Any bite, scratch or lick on broken skin from a mammal abroad needs urgent medical assessment, whether or not you had pre-travel vaccines.

What does this mean for me?

Whatever kind of trip you take, a pre-travel risk assessment helps you:

check routine vaccines, such as MMR and tetanus, diphtheria and polio, are up to date
decide which travel vaccines are recommended for your itinerary
find out whether malaria prevention is needed and, if so, which option suits you (antimalarials need assessment by a prescriber)
get practical advice on bites, food and water, sun and heat, and travel insurance

Frequently asked questions

Do I need travel advice if I am visiting family in my country of origin?

Yes. Immunity to infections such as malaria fades after living in the UK, and people visiting family make up a large share of UK malaria cases.

Is dengue a risk in Europe?

Dengue is mainly a risk in tropical regions, but small numbers of locally acquired cases have been reported in southern Europe during warmer months.

How soon before travel should I get advice?

The NHS recommends at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure, but advice is still useful if you are leaving sooner.

Key takeaways

UK residents now make tens of millions of trips abroad each year.
Long-haul and family visits increase exposure to tropical infections.
Most imported malaria occurs in travellers who did not take preventive tablets.
Pre-travel advice tailors vaccines and precautions to your trip.

Sources and further reading

Last reviewed: October 2026 by Shamir Patel, Independent Prescribing Pharmacist, Ready Health. This article is general information and does not replace advice from your own clinician.

Heading abroad from Wigan, Standish, Chorley or Bolton? Book a travel health consultation at Ready Health and a clinician will review your plans with you.