Cholera can cause severe diarrhoea and dehydration! This bacterial infection spreads through contaminated food and water. A convenient oral vaccine, recommended for high-risk travel, offers protection and peace of mind.

This vital combination vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and polio – serious diseases that can still pose a threat. To ensure continued protection, especially for international travel, a booster shot is recommended every 10 years.

Hepatitis A is a highly infectious virus that can cause inflammation of the liver. The virus is usually transmitted through food or water contaminated by human faeces or by direct contact with an infectious person. Hepatitis A is rare in the UK with most cases occurring in travellers who have recently visited countries where the disease is common. Areas with high levels of infection include low-income countries that may have relatively poor sanitary conditions and hygiene practices. These areas include: the Indian subcontinent, Sub-Saharan and North Africa, parts of the Far East, South and Central America, and the Middle East. Certain travellers are at increased risk of acquiring hepatitis A, including: Those who are staying with or visiting the local population. Frequent and/or long-stay travellers to areas where sanitation and food hygiene are likely to be poor. Those with existing medical conditions such as liver disease or haemophilia. Men who have sex with men. People who inject drugs. Those who may be exposed to the virus through their work. Those going to areas of hepatitis A outbreaks who have limited access to safe water and medical care. Symptoms are often mild or absent in young children, but the disease becomes more serious with advancing age. Recovery can vary from weeks to months. Following hepatitis A illness, immunity is lifelong. Symptoms may include: fever, loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), malaise and nausea.

Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver spread through contact with blood or body fluids contaminated with hepatitis B virus (HBV). It occurs worldwide with highest rates of infection reported in the Western Pacific and African regions. Risk for most travellers is usually low. However, there is an increased risk associated with certain activities, including: Unprotected sex with new partners. Occupational risk, such as healthcare work or humanitarian aid work. Injecting drug use. Travelling for medical reasons or with medical conditions requiring medical treatment whilst overseas. Participation in contact sports. Adoption of children from intermediate/high risk countries. Long-stay travel. The risk is typically greater in areas where there is an intermediate to high risk of HBV. Most people infected with HBV will have no symptoms or a mild flu-like illness. Symptoms are more common in adults than children and may include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), loss of appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Chronic (long-term) HBV develops in 80 to 90 percent of children infected in the first year of life and in only five percent of those infected as adults. Chronic infection may lead to liver failure or liver cancer.

Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a potentially fatal mosquito-borne viral infection that attacks the brain and nervous system. Prevalent throughout Asia and emerging in parts of Australia. Given the severity of JE and the lack of a cure, vaccination is highly recommended for travellers at risk.

The Meningitis ACWY vaccine shields against 4 serious bacterial strains, which can cause life-threatening meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning). Essential for university freshmen, Africa travel (esp. meningitis belt), and Hajj/Umrah pilgrimages.

Schedule: one dose Level of protection: ≈95-100% Duration of protection: 10 years When to get vaccine: suitable for last-minute travellers Type of vaccine: intramuscular injection…

Animal encounters, especially off the beaten path, can expose you to rabies – a potentially fatal viral infection. The risk intensifies in regions with limited access to proper vaccines and post-exposure treatment.

Rabies is a virus carried in animal saliva that usually spreads to humans from a bite, scratch, lick to an open wound from an infected animal (typically a dog). It can also be a risk if an animal spits and saliva gets into the eyes, mouth or nose. The virus attacks the central nervous system, causing progressive damage to the brain and spinal cord. Once symptoms are present, rabies is almost always fatal. Human rabies cases are often unreported, so it is difficult to give reliable information on how common it is worldwide. The disease is estimated to cause 59,000 human deaths annually. Rabies is rare in travellers with only 25 human deaths in the UK from imported rabies since 1946. Although rabies cases are rare in travellers, animal bites and scratches are common. It is important that travellers visiting areas where rabies occurs are aware of the risk and know what to do if they are bitten or scratched or an animal spits in their face. Rabies is preventable if the correct post-exposure treatment (PET) is provided quickly. PET can be expensive and difficult to obtain in some areas.

Tetanus is a vaccine-preventable disease caused by a toxin produced by bacteria called Clostridium tetani. Tetanus spores are found in soil throughout the world. The disease is acquired when material containing these spores, such as soil, contaminates a wound. The toxin released from the bacteria may then attack the nerves of the brain and spinal cord. Tetanus is not spread by person to person contact. Tetanus-prone wounds include the following: Certain animal bites and scratches. Burns. Puncture type wounds in an contaminated environment e.g. gardening injuries. Eye injuries. Wounds containing foreign bodies. Bone fractures with broken skin. Wounds in people with bloodstream infections. Tetanus is found worldwide, but is more common in resource-poor countries with low vaccine coverage. Generalised tetanus is responsible for most cases; this is associated with intense, painful contraction and spasm of skeletal muscles. It usually causes lockjaw (trismus) characterised by facial muscles spasm. Other symptoms include: a stiff neck, forceful arching of the back, abnormal breathing and difficulty swallowing. Even with intensive medical support, death occurs in 10 to 20 percent of cases. Prevention All travellers should be aware of the risk of accidents, thoroughly clean all wounds and seek appropriate medical attention. Further vaccines and / or immunoglobulin treatment may be recommended.

Schedule: one dose Level of protection: ≈95-100% Duration of protection: 10 years When to get vaccine: suitable for last-minute travellers Type of vaccine: intramuscular injection…

Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE) is a serious viral infection affecting the brain and nervous system. It's primarily a concern for travellers and outdoor enthusiasts venturing into regions known to harbour infected ticks, particularly during spring and summer.

Typhoid fever Typhoid and paratyphoid are infections acquired by the ingestion of food or water contaminated by the bacteria Salmonella Typhi or Salmonella Paratyphi. They cause very similar diseases collectively known as enteric fever and mainly affect low-income areas of the world where sanitation is poor and clean drinking water is not widely available. The majority of global cases of disease occur in Asia, but the disease continues to be a concern in other areas including Africa and parts of Central and South America. The majority of travel related infections in the UK occur in those visiting friends and relatives in countries of the Indian subcontinent (Bangladesh, India and Pakistan). Symptoms of typhoid and paratyphoid include: fever, headache, muscle or joint pains, constipation or diarrhoea and a rash. Complications include intestinal bleeding and perforation (development of a hole in the wall of the bowel). If treated most people will make a full recovery however if untreated death rates can be high. Antibiotic resistant infections are increasingly common; this can complicate and reduce treatment options.

This potentially fatal mosquito-borne disease can be avoided with a single, lifelong dose of the vaccine. Vaccination is mandatory for entry into some countries, while recommended in others. As an officially designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre, we can advise you on your travel requirements.