Spain and Turkey travel warning over sickness affecting 1 in 10 tourists
According to the UK Health Security Agency, gastrointestinal (GI) infections remain the most common travel-related illness national - accounting for 65% of cases.
And the UKHSA revealed that countries most associated with GI infections among UK tourists are: Turkey (16.2% cases), Spain (10.4%), India (7.9%), and Egypt (6.8%).
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Regionally, the West Midlands recorded the highest number of travel-related GI infections in England, according to the UKHSA.
There were a total of 477 cases among travellers from the region - representing 17.6% of cases in England.
The main bugs causing these infections include cryptosporidium, giardia and salmonella - generally picked up from infected water and food.
As holidaymakers gear up for summer getaways abroad, the UKHSA has issued guidance to help tourists avoid travel-related infections:
During your trip
Practise good hand hygiene by washing hands regularly with soap and water
Follow food and water hygiene advice, for example avoid undercooked food and drink bottled water when appropriate
Avoid insect and tick bites – use insect repellent and mosquito nets in high-risk areas
Practise safe sex
If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a country where rabies is found then you should wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water and seek medical advice without delay in order to get post-exposure treatment to prevent rabies
After returning
Seek medical advice if you have symptoms such as diarrhoea, fever, rash or jaundice
Avoid school or work for 48 hours after gastrointestinal symptoms resolve
Complete the full course of malaria tablets when you get home
Get tested for STIs if you have had unprotected sex
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