UK residents planning international travel are advised to check vaccination requirements as yellow fever cases have surged. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), confirmed cases in 2025 were 5.6 times higher than in 2024, with outbreaks reported in Brazil, Colombia, and several African nations including Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recommends that travellers to affected regions receive the yellow fever vaccine at least 10 days before departure. Symptoms include fever, chills, severe headache, back pain, and nausea. In severe cases, the disease can cause jaundice, bleeding, and organ failure, with a fatality rate of up to 50% among those with severe symptoms.
Travelers should also use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved clothing, and sleep under mosquito nets to prevent mosquito bites, as the virus is transmitted by Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes. The yellow fever vaccine is available at designated travel clinics and some GP surgeries in the UK.
For the latest travel advice, visit the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website or consult a travel health professional before booking trips to high-risk destinations.
