Wear sunscreen, drink water and eat bananas…the Government’s new ‘essential’ health advice for Brit holidaymakers travelling abroad
- Pasteurised products such as cheese, yoghurt and milk are also on the ‘safe’ list
Wear suncream, drink plenty of water and eat bananas is the official Government advice for Brits travelling abroad.
To ‘stay safe’ this summer the Government has issued its ‘essential summer health tips’. Some of which won’t come as a surprise with the list including being mindful of what you’re eating, drinking water, and wearing a hat and sunglasses.
Despite most having safe and healthy trips, there has been an increase in travellers returning from Turkey with gastrointestinal infections – such as diarrhea and similar illnesses – the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said.
There were 241 cases of Salmonella enteritidis detected since the beginning of this year.
Holidaymakers do have an excuse to eat more cheese as the agency also recommends sticking to pasteurised dairy produce, recently prepared thoroughly-cooked food, and fruit that can be peeled such as bananas and oranges, to avoid foodborne illnesses.
Those travelling abroad have been advised to wear suncream, eat oranges, and drink plenty of water
To avoid foodborne illnesses and to ‘stay safe’ this summer the Government has issued its ‘essential summer health tips’
Some of those returning to the UK have diarrhoeal illness, measles, malaria, dengue, other infections carried by mosquitoes.
Thoroughly washing your hands, especially after using the toilet, reduces the risk of becoming ill.
‘Mosquito bites are common in most warm destinations. While these are mostly harmless, some can spread diseases such as dengue, zika or malaria.
‘Due to climate change, we are seeing the spread of some more serious mosquito-borne infections in new areas where they were not previously found, including popular holiday destinations in mainland Europe,’ the Government agency said.
To avoid being bitten the agency said to ‘wear loose-fitting clothing, wear long sleeves and long trousers, cover exposed skin and use insect repellents’.
With temperatures soaring in Europe, the UKHSA also recommends applying suncream of factor 15 or higher.
Checking what vaccines you need before travelling is listed ads an ‘essential’ on the Government’s do’s and dont’s list.
‘To find out which vaccinations you need, contact your local travel health clinic or GP surgery before you travel. If you have pre-existing health problems an earlier appointment is advised even if you don’t need vaccines or malaria tablets.
‘Aside from travel vaccinations, it is also important to make sure you or your family are up to date with vaccinations in England’s routine immunisation programmes, including measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), as these infections are more common in some countries than in the UK,’ the UKHSA said.
Drinking bottled water where possible is advised to stay hydrated
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a do’s and don’ts list for those travelling abroad this summer
In a blog for the UKHSA, Dr Shreya Singhal said its important to look after your sexual health.
‘Practising safer sex while abroad will reduce the risk of STIs and HIV, as well as infections that spread through close personal contact, such as mpox,’ the junior doctor said.
Dr Singhal adds: ‘Be sure to pack condoms, suncream and hand sanitiser before you leave and where possible drink bottled water and wash your hands with soap and warm water after using the toilet and before eating.’
The UKHSA recommends getting tested for STIs when you return to the UK, if you have met new sexual partners abroad.
The Government agency replaced Public Health England in 2021.
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