UK Health Security Agency urges travellers to prioritise health before jetting off this summer
As the summer holidays get into full swing, the UK Health Security Agency has issued vital health advice for Britons heading overseas. With airports bustling and suitcases packed, officials are calling on travellers to take simple but effective precautions before leaving the country.
Dr Anjali Pai, a consultant in health protection and a border health lead at UKHSA, has taken to social media to share a direct message aimed at holidaymakers. In a short video posted on X, she outlined crucial steps travellers can take to stay safe and healthy while abroad.
“My name is Anjali Pai, and I am one of the consultants in health protection and one of the border health leads of the UK Health Security Agency,” she stated.
“Before we go on holiday, there are some things we can all do to reduce the risk of us becoming unwell.”
Her key advice? Preparation is everything. Dr Pai recommends visiting the Travel Health Pro website, where guidance is available on everything from routine jabs to destination-specific risks. She also pointed to official government travel pages for up-to-date alerts.
When it comes to vaccines, she didn’t hold back on their importance. “Things like hepatitis A and typhoid can be easily prevented by a vaccine,” Dr Pai noted, highlighting that some countries may deny entry without proof of specific immunisations such as yellow fever.
But it’s not all about jabs. Hygiene habits play a massive role in preventing illness. “A simple thing is hand hygiene,” Dr Pai stressed.
“So, just washing your hands for 30 seconds with warm water and soap before you eat, after you go to the toilet, is a really simple measure that can prevent the spread of many infections.”
She also encouraged good respiratory etiquette: “Good respiratory hygiene, and by this, it’s just about coughing and sneezing into a tissue, disposing of it sensibly and washing your hands afterwards.”
Other practical tips included wearing long sleeves and using mosquito repellent in high-risk areas, alongside sleeping under nets when necessary.
“There are also other things, such as preventing yourself from getting mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved clothing, using mosquito sprays and mosquito nets,” she said.
Dr Pai also addressed another often-overlooked area of travel safety. “And finally, safe sexual health is something we should all be practising when we are abroad by using condoms.”
Once back home, Britons are urged not to dismiss symptoms that appear days or even weeks after their return.
NHS Inform reminds the public: “You should seek medical help even if it’s up to one month after you’ve been travelling.”
“Always make sure you tell the health professional that you’ve recently travelled abroad. This is especially important if you have been to a country where malaria is a risk.”
The message is clear: enjoy the break, but stay smart. Whether it’s vaccines, mosquito sprays, or just a good scrub of the hands, simple actions can go a long way.
As the holiday season continues, the UKHSA’s advice stands as a timely reminder that health and happiness go hand in hand.
