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The summer months mark festival season both in the UK and abroad. Festivals, parades and other gatherings offer a "fun escape" from everyday routines; however, they can also bring with them some potential health risks.
Those planning to travel abroad to attend a festival or similar large event this year should be reminded to protect themselves against health risks.
All travellers should ensure they:
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can be very unpleasant and sometimes leads to serious complications. Measles can spread easily between crowds of people attending mass gatherings, such as festivals. Large measles outbreaks continue to be reported globally; case summaries and rates of infection are available here:
All travellers who have not previously received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or did not have a reliable history of past infection, should be offered Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccination to ensure that 2 doses of MMR vaccine, administered at least one month apart, have been received.
Since May 2022 cases of mpox have been reported in the UK, Europe and some non-European countries. Mpox has not gone away and there could be an increase in cases this summer as more people start to travel and attend events and festivals in the UK or abroad.
Travellers can reduce their risk of exposure to mpox by:
The NHS is currently offering smallpox vaccination to people who are most likely to be exposed to mpox. A full course vaccine for those at highest risk of mpox exposure consists of two doses, with an interval of at least 28 days between doses.
All travellers whose sexual networks mean they are more likely to come into contact with people suffering from mpox are advised to ensure they have received two doses of smallpox vaccine (if eligible) to provide long term protection. Further information about the mpox vaccine and eligiblity is available for those living in:
Information on considerations that travellers should take both during and after travel in relation to COVID-19 are detailed in the fitfortravel COVID-19: Health Considerations for Travel page.
In addition, travellers attending festivals abroad should consider:
After returning home from summer festivals, travellers should be aware of the need to:
