Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that the country visited most frequently by UK residents is Spain. It’s hardly surprising given its cultured cities, beautiful scenery and pleasant weather, not to mention its relative proximity to the UK.
But just because a country is in Europe that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check in with your travel health clinic in Royston before your trip, as you may still need certain vaccinations to be on the safe side.
What vaccines are recommended if you are travelling to Spain from the UK?
The main vaccine that it’s recommended you have before travelling to Spain is tetanus. The good news is that this is a vaccine that’s routinely given in the UK anyway, so you simply need to ensure that you are up to date with the latest course.
Tetanus is caused by a bacteria that is common worldwide. It’s most often introduced to humans through an open wound, such as a cut or a burn, that gets contaminated with soil where the bacteria is present.
Aside from ensuring you’ve had your tetanus shots, it’s important to keep any wounds clean and to seek medical attention if you injure yourself while you’re away.
Are there any other health risks to be aware of when travelling to Spain?
Yes, within the last decade dengue fever has occurred in certain parts of Spain. While outbreaks are rare, it is important to protect yourself from biting insects, particularly mosquitos, to help keep you safe.
Dengue fever has been reported in the provinces of Cadiz, Catalonia and Murcia, as well as in Ibiza. Simple precautions include using insect repellant, sleeping under a mosquito net, and wearing clothes that cover your arms and legs – especially during the day as this is when dengue-carrying mosquitos are most active.
In addition, it’s recommended that you do what you can to avoid insect bites in general, particularly from ticks which can carry a variety of diseases.
While Spain is not particularly high risk compared to other locations, in some regions of the country there is a chance of contracting certain insect or tick-borne diseases such as West Nile virus and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.
Cases of both in Spain are rare, so you should not be overly alarmed, but merely take sensible precautions to avoid insect bites as much as possible.
It is far better to be aware of such risks, no matter how small, so that you can make minor adjustments to protect yourself and those you’re travelling with than to remain in the dark about potential health risks.
If you are unsure about whether your vaccinations are up to date or about the prevalence of any illness in the part of Spain you plan to travel to, it’s best to speak to a travel health specialist as soon as possible.
The earlier you can book an appointment, the sooner you can have peace of mind that you’re ready to travel and begin planning for the exciting aspects of your holiday.