29 December 2004: Travel to areas of Asia affected by the earthquakes and tsunamis

In addition to the devastating loss of life and injuries sustained by residents and tourists in areas of Asia affected by the earthquakes and resultant tsunamis of 26 December, there has been considerable damage to the underlying health care, emergency response and housing resources. Flooding, stagnant water, disruption of sewer lines, and poor quality sanitation conditions are conducive for development of disease.

Intestinal illness such as salmonellosis, campylobacter, shigellosis, and cholera, mosquito transmitted disease including malaria and dengue, and other diseases such as leptospirosis, are all likely to be an increased risk for those who live in these areas and those who travel to them.

It is recommended that travellers to affected areas that include many of the commonly visited tourist resorts in Asia check the latest safety information from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and seek proper pre-travel health care. Travellers should receive vaccines and take precautions against food and water borne illness: typhoid fever, hepatitis A, and possibly cholera vaccines if they are involved in relief efforts; and make sure they exercise mosquito avoidance measures and take appropriate malaria medications. Travellers should also be up-to-date with their tetanus immunisation, have polio boosting for several of the affected countries, and receive protection against hepatitis B for medical or rescue work.

Specific advice on relief efforts in the region can be found on the World Health Organization website.

Advice for health professionals caring for returning from affected areas can be found on the Health Protection Agency website, together with specific advice for returning travellers .