Foreign Office issues alert over five killer viruses with UK tourists 'at risk'

The Foreign Office has warned UK tourists are "at risk" of five potentially fatal diseases - as it urges people heading outside the European Union and to a African hotspot to take precautions. The alert has surfaced ahead of Christmas.

"See what health risks you’ll face in Zambia including yellow fever, malaria, dengue fever, cholera and mpox,"the Foreign Office has warned. "The UNAIDS Zambia country progress report of 2020 estimated the overall HIV prevalence in the adult population is 11 per cent, compared to a prevalence of 0.2 per cent in adults in the UK.

"Take normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS." If possible, see the GP or a private travel clinic at least 6 to 8 weeks before you're due to travel. Some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity, the NHS has warned.

READ MORE: Foreign Office issues 'short notice' warning after things 'turn violent'

READ MORE: UK tourists in Spain handed victory as major five-year 'ban' set to be lifted

READ MORE UK faces 1 inch snow per hour this week with three parts of England worst-hit

And some vaccines involve a number of doses spread over several weeks or months. Phone or visit the GP practice or practice nurse to find out whether your existing UK vaccinations are up-to-date. If you have any records of your vaccinations, let the GP know what you have had previously.

The GP or practice nurse can give you general advice about travel vaccinations and travel health, such as protecting yourself from malaria. Yellow fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes which predominantly feed between dawn and dusk, but may also bite at night, especially in the jungle environment.

Symptoms may be absent or mild, but in severe cases, it can cause internal bleeding, organ failure and death. Malaria is a serious illness caused by infection of red blood cells with a parasite called Plasmodium. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes which predominantly feed between dusk and dawn.

Symptoms usually begin with a fever (high temperature) of 38°C (100°F) or more. Other symptoms may include feeling cold and shivery, headache, nausea, vomiting and aching muscles. Symptoms may appear between eight days and one year after the infected mosquito bite.