Health Advice
Vaccinations
Whilst many Western European and North American destinations currently have no compulsory inoculation requirements, advice about destinations can change. Customers travelling to worldwide destinations are recommended to seek advice from the sources mentioned above and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio, Typhoid and Dengue Fever. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the applicable vaccinations for your
choice of destination and take the necessary precautions against bites from insects and
animals. Always check with your GP for any recommended vaccinations prior to travel.
Please seek advice from your doctor before travelling and please note there may be a fee for
vaccinations.
Beat the Bites!
Biting insects (including mosquitoes) are common in many countries, and they can spread disease. Insect repellents, especially those containing DEET, can be useful in helping to prevent bites. You can also reduce the risk of bites by wearing clothes that cover your skin, including your arms and legs, especially during the evening and at night.
Traveller's Tummy
It is still a relatively common occurrence to suffer gastric illness when travelling abroad and being exposed to a different environment. . There are many ways you can reduce the possibility of being affected such as not eating undercooked food, avoiding ice in drinks, ensuring you drink plenty of bottled water and avoid over exposure in the sun.
Sunburn
The sun should be treated with respect, make sure that you take enough sun lotion with you and go easy on the sunbathing, particularly in the first few days. Watch out for signs of burning, heat exhaustion or sunstroke (reddening skin, sleepy, dizziness, headaches) and make sure that you drink plenty of (non-alcoholic) fluids to avoid dehydration.
Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
If you are visiting a European Union (EU) country you should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and take it with you when you travel. The EHIC can be obtained free of charge by completing an application form available from main Post Offices and from www.dh.gov.uk/travellers. Please note, the EHIC is in addition to Travel Insurance, not instead of it.
Weather and Natural Disasters
Destinations may be affected by weather patterns such as tropical storms, monsoons, hurricanes, cyclones, typhoons, flooding and also seismic activity causing earthquakes and tidal waves. An example of which is the ‘hurricane ‘season, which affects the Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico and is generally considered to be between June and November. This is just one example and different weather patterns occur at different times of the year, their impact on destinations can and does vary. Weather advice can frequently change, we recommend you check the latest FCO Travel Advice for your destination. Visit www.fco.gov.uk/travel for information.
Travel Advice
The Foreign and Commonwealth Travel Advice Unit issues and frequently updates advice for those travelling outside the UK. The advice includes general warnings and specific information for the benefit of travellers. Ask your travel agent for details of any current advice for the country or countries which you plan to visit when you book your holiday. You are also advised to check this information before you go by accessing the latest Travel Advice on www.fco.gov.uk alternatively e-mail traveladvicepublicenquiries@fco.gov.uk or telephone the Foreign Office Travel Advice Unit on 0845 850 2829.
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