United Kingdom Health and Medical: Disease Risks and Prevention
Diseases of concern in the United Kingdom include hepatitis B, rabies, West Nile fever, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, and Lyme disease. The incidence of vCJD (Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease), a disease related to BSE (Bovine spongiform encephalopathy or Mad Cow Disease), appears to have peaked in 1999 and has declined rapidly since. Vaccinations can protect you against some diseases, listed under Immunizations below. For others, no vaccine exists; protective measures appear under Precautions.
Mountain Weather Hazards
Hiking in higher elevations can be treacherous. Several people die each year while hiking, particularly in Scotland, often because of sudden changes in weather. Visitors, including experienced hikers, are encouraged to discuss intended routes with local residents familiar with the area and to adhere closely to recommendations.
See a Doctor Before You Travel
Visit a travel medicine specialist, or a doctor familiar with travel medicine, at least a month before your trip.
Recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are below, but appropriate vaccines and medicines depend on many factors that are specific to each person. Inform your doctor:
- Where you are traveling within a country
- The length of your trip
- What types of activities you might do
- Other personal matters such as your age, medical and vaccine history, and current medical state
Many hospitals and many county health departments have a Travel Medicine office. A directory of private travel clinics is available at the International Society of Travel Medicine, www.istm.org.
Immunizations
| Required: none | |
| Recommended | |
| Hepatitis B | Recommended for all unvaccinated persons traveling to or working in countries with intermediate to high levels of endemic HBV transmission, especially those who might be exposed to blood or body fluids, have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment (e.g., for an accident). |
|---|---|
| Rabies | Recommended only for travelers involved in any activities that might bring them into direct contact with bats. These travelers include wildlife professionals, researchers, veterinarians, or adventure travelers visiting areas where bats are commonly found. |
| Routine | Before traveling, update any vaccinations you would normally receive, such as measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, poliovirus vaccine. |
COVID-19 Information
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age.
The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the disease and how the virus spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by staying at least 1 meter (3 feet) apart from others, wearing a properly fitted mask, and washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently. Vaccinations also are available from healthcare providers.
The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing, or breathe. These particles range from larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols. It is important to practice respiratory etiquette, for example by coughing into a flexed elbow and staying home to self-isolate if feeling unwell.
Entry and Exit Requirements
Are there COVID-related entry requirements?
No
Is a negative COVID-19 test required for entry?
No
Travelers from China
There are different rules if you travel to England from mainland China. If you’re age 12 or older, you will need to take a COVID-19 test no more than two days before you travel. You will need to show notification of a negative COVID-19 test result when you depart mainland China for England. This will be checked by your airline, and you may be required to show this to Border Force on arrival to England. This applies to all direct and indirect flights from mainland China. An indirect flight involves one or more stops in other countries or territories before arriving in England. This includes people travelling from mainland China through Hong Kong and Macao, but not people travelling directly to England from Hong Kong and Macao. It applies if England is your final destination, or if you will be transiting through England.
These rules do not apply if your journey to England started in another country and you only transit airside through mainland China. If you transit landside (you pass through border control), then these COVID-19 travel rules do apply.
Precautions
| Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) | |
|---|---|
| Risk of developing illness (variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease) from BSE-contaminated beef is low, but cases have occurred in the United Kingdom. To eliminate risk, avoid beef and beef products altogether or select solid pieces of muscle meat (rather than brains or beef products like burgers and sausages). Milk and milk products are not believed to pose any risk for transmitting the BSE agent. | |
| Food- and water-borne illness | |
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Observe food safety practices:
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| Fungal and parasitic infections | |
| Keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot, especially on beaches where animals may have defecated. | |
| HIV and other infections | |
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Pack a Travel Health Kit
A travel health kit serves three purposes: to manage any pre-existing conditions, prevent illnesses related to traveling, and take care of minor health matters.
When packing medications for travel, remember the following considerations.
- Original containers: All medications should be carried in their original containers with clear labels, so the contents are easily identified. Although many travelers like placing medications into small containers or packing them in the daily-dose containers, officials at ports of entry may require proper identification of medications.
- Prescriptions: Travelers should carry copies of all prescriptions, including their generic names.
- Physician notes: For controlled substances and injectable medications, travelers are advised to carry a note from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationery.
- Restricted medications: Travelers should be aware that certain medications are not permitted in certain countries. If there is a question about these restrictions, particularly with controlled substances, travelers are recommended to contact the embassy or consulate of the destination country.
- Availability: A travel health kit is useful only when it is available. It should be carried with the traveler at all times (e.g., in a carry-on bag). Due to airline security rules, sharp objects and some liquids and gels must remain in checked luggage.
Sources: World Health Organization; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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