Uk tourists in holiday hotspot warned over important vaccine requirements

UK TOURISTS IN FRANCE HAVE BEEN URGED TO BE AWARE OF VACCINE REQUIREMENTS AHEAD OF THEIR TRIP ABROAD 10:01, 21 May 2025 The Foreign Office and Travel Health Pro have issued a warning to

travellers heading to France this year. As well as keeping up-to-date with routine vaccination courses and boosters for jabs such as MMR and diphtheria-tetanus-polio, as per UK guidelines,

tourists have been advised to be cautious of three other vaccines which may be needed before your trip this summer. The health site has urged most travellers to France over ensuring you have

your tetanus vaccination. According to the NHS, the infection is described as a "serious, life-threatening condition caused by bacteria getting into a wound." On the Travel Health

Pro site, it explains it is caused by a toxin released from Clostridium tetani bacteria, and can occur no matter where you are in the world. READ MORE: VACCINE ALERT UK TOURISTS IN TURKEY

ARE URGED TO FOLLOW It says: "Tetanus bacteria are present in soil and manure and may be introduced through open wounds such as a puncture wound, burn or scratch." And under these

guidelines, it is important to ensure holidaymakers heading to France have completed a tetanus vaccination course according to the UK schedule. It adds: "If travelling to a country or

area where medical facilities may be limited, a booster dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine is recommended if the last dose was more than ten years ago even if five doses of vaccine have

been given previously." If you have already been wounded, and are worried about a tetanus risk, the health body urges you to "thoroughly clean all wounds and seek medical attention

for injuries such as animal bites/scratches, burns or wounds contaminated with soil." The tetanus jab is the only vaccination "most travellers" should have, but the body has

warned some tourists may need two other vaccinations - rabies and tick borne-encephalitis. In this case, rabies is otherwise known as bat lyssavirus. This disease is transmitted by a human

or any other animal coming into contact with the saliva of an infected bat. This is usually by being bitten, but can also be caused when the saliva of an infected bat gets into open wounds

or mucous membranes. Travel Health Pro says: "Bat lyssaviruses can cause disease in humans that is indistinguishable from rabies. "Symptoms can take some time to develop, but when

they do the condition is almost always fatal. "The risk to most travellers is low. However, it is increased for certain occupations for example bat handlers and veterinarians, or

certain activities such as caving." It did add the risk of developing this disease is low in France, but it is still a part of the warning on the website. To prevent any possibility of

catching bat lyssavirus, a rabies vaccination can be the best choice for some. The website states: "A full course of pre-exposure vaccines simplifies and shortens the course of

post-exposure treatment and removes the need for rabies immunoglobulin which is in short supply world-wide. "Pre-exposure rabies vaccinations are recommended for those who are at

increased risk due to their work (e.g. laboratory staff working with the virus and those working with bats). "Pre-exposure vaccines could be considered for those whose activities put

them at increased risk of exposure to bats." If you believe you may have been bitten by an infected bat, it is advised to clean the wound and seek urgent local medical attention. READ

MORE: UK TOURISTS IN PORTUGAL WARNED OVER VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS AHEAD OF SUMMER Travel Health Pro adds: "Following a possible exposure, wounds should be thoroughly cleansed and an

urgent local medical assessment sought, even if the wound appears trivial. Although rabies has not been reported in other animals in this country, it is sensible to seek prompt medical

advice if bitten or scratched. It is possible, although very rare for bats to pass rabies like viruses to other animals including pets. "Post-exposure treatment and advice should be in

accordance with national guidelines." The final jab recommended for some travellers is for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). TBE is described as a "viral infection," which can be

spread by the bite from an infected tick. Travel Health Pro states: "Occasionally cases of TBE occur after consumption of raw (unpasteurised) milk or dairy products from infected

animals (e.g. cows, goats and sheep). "Travellers are at increased risk of exposure during outdoor activities in areas of vegetation such as gardens, parks, meadows, woods, forest

fringes and glades. This includes urban parks and woodland areas in cities. "Ticks are usually most active between early spring and late autumn." The website says there is a risk

of TBE in some areas of France, including the north-eastern departments of Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin in Alsace, and near the city of Nancy. Other areas cases have been reported are near the

cities of Faverges and Grenoble in the south-eastern Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and in the south-western department of Gironde in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. To prevent developing the

disease, a vaccination is recommended for those visiting affected areas, such as: * Living in TBE risk areas * Working in forestry, woodcutting, farming and the military * Visiting forested

areas and urban parks, e.g. camping, fieldwork, hiking and hunting * Laboratory workers who may be exposed to TBE Wearing tick repellent can also be helpful, as well as following the Travel

Health Pro's guide on tick avoidance. It is important that travellers regularly check their skin and clothes for ticks and remove them as soon as they are found with a set technique.

The health body adds wearing light coloured clothes can help to make ticks easier to spot. Article continues below It is also advised tourists should not eat or drink any unpasteurised milk

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