Rising Threats of Infectious Diseases for Travelers
As the Easter holiday season approaches, medical professionals are sounding the alarm about an increasing number of infectious diseases in popular travel destinations. Doctors and health experts have warned that returning travelers may be contributing to a rise in cases of diseases such as malaria, measles, and even drug-resistant sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrhoea.
The coalition group Healthy World, Secure Britain has highlighted the growing concern over these outbreaks, which could place additional pressure on the National Health Service (NHS). They have pointed out that diseases such as tuberculosis (TB), HIV, Mpox, dengue fever, and measles are becoming more prevalent in various parts of the world, including France, Spain, the USA, Egypt, and Turkey.
In the Asia Pacific region, antibiotic-resistant STIs are on the rise, while Cape Verde has issued a travel warning after more than 1,500 British holidaymakers fell ill with food poisoning, resulting in six deaths. These incidents have raised concerns about the potential spread of infectious diseases back into the UK, particularly in areas such as London, the West Midlands, and the north west.
Dr Arshad Rizvi, a GP based in London with a focus on global health and infectious diseases, emphasized the importance of vaccinations and staying informed about travel advisories. He said, “Holidaymakers must make sure they have all their vaccinations up to date, check foreign office travel advice, and be extra vigilant. Being careful abroad will not only protect their own health but also the health of people in this country and reduce the burden on the NHS.”
He added that regular handwashing and using antibacterial sprays and wipes are also recommended, especially when traveling with family.
Key Statistics and Trends
The number of Tuberculosis (TB) cases in England rose by 13 per cent to 5,487 in 2024, with 5,424 cases reported in 2025. Malaria cases remain high, following a peak of over 2,000 cases in 2023. Globally, there were an estimated 282 million cases of malaria reported worldwide in 2024.
Imported dengue cases increased by nearly 300 in 2024, while HIV diagnoses have been steadily rising since 2020. The UK has also lost its measles elimination status for the first time since 2021, with 3,600 new cases reported in 2024.
Professor Aubrey Cunnington, Head of Section and Professor of Paediatric Infectious Disease at St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare London, stressed the need to tackle diseases at their source. He said, “Protecting health in the UK requires stopping diseases like malaria and TB at source. These diseases don’t respect borders, so rising cases are a predictable consequence of funding to tackle them in other countries being decimated.”
Impact of Funding Cuts
Four British tourists died between August and November last year after contracting a gastric illness while visiting Cape Verde. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) identified cases of shigella and salmonella linked to travel to the island. Shigella is a bacteria that can cause severe symptoms such as bloody and watery diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and stomach pain, which can last for weeks and, in some cases, result in death.
The group has criticized cuts to the foreign aid budget, which they believe have increased the risks of infectious diseases spreading. The UK Government has pledged to cut Official Development Assistance (ODA) from 0.5 per cent of gross national income to 0.3 per cent by 2027. As part of this pledge, spending on international health has declined from £1.77 billion in 2024 to a projected £527 million in 2026.
Professor James Seddon, Consultant in Paediatric Infectious Diseases at St. Mary’s Hospital, said, “Cutting global health funding is, in my opinion, a short-sighted mistake. Infectious diseases do not respect borders, and weakening international health programmes ultimately makes the UK less safe and puts greater strain on the NHS.”
