Foreign Office issues urgent travel alert for 13 countries following UK traveller deaths

Brits warned over malaria risk in popular travel destinations

Travel Health Pro, a service supported by the Foreign Office, has recently reviewed malaria risks and published updated maps showing the destinations where travellers should take extra care.

The organisation highlighted that each year several people from the UK die after catching malaria abroad, with most cases linked to travel in Africa. 

It added that many infections involve people visiting friends and relatives rather than tourists travelling for holidays.

The countries where travellers need extra caution

The warning comes after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) released updated guidance this summer on how travellers can reduce their risk of becoming infected. 

People visiting affected countries are being advised to follow precautions and check the latest travel health advice before departure.

Figures show that malaria cases brought back to the UK have increased, with 2,004 imported cases recorded in 2023 compared with 1,369 in 2022. 

The organisation has completed its review of malaria risks and introduced new maps showing the areas where travellers may need to take extra precautions:

• Belize

• Botswana

• Dominican Republic

• Eswatini

• French Guiana

• India

• Myanmar

• Namibia

• Papua New Guinea

• Saudi Arabia

• South Africa

• South Korea

• Sudan