June 13, 2026, 11:30 am | Read time: 6 minutes
Sun, relaxation, and new experiences are highlights of the year for many. However, depending on the destination, health risks ranging from gastrointestinal illnesses to tropical diseases may also lurk. Those who inform and prepare themselves in advance can avoid many dangers. Travel medicine experts explain what travelers should watch out for on long-distance trips, as well as within Europe.
The Most Common Health Issues While Traveling
It’s not exotic tropical diseases that most often cause problems on vacation, but more everyday issues. “Diarrhea, sunburn, and mosquito bites,” says Tomas Jelinek, an infectious disease specialist from Berlin and president of the German Society for Travel Medicine. Travelers most frequently deal with these complaints. “It sounds trivial, but it can all be quite nasty,” says the expert.
That’s why sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and medications for diarrhea are essential components of any travel first-aid kit.
Standard Vaccinations Should Be Complete
Before any trip, Sabine Jordan, an internist from the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), recommends first checking your general vaccination status. “No matter where you travel: You should have all the vaccinations that are recommended as standard here,” she says.
This includes vaccinations against tetanus, measles, or polio. These diseases occur much more frequently in some regions of the world than in Germany.
Whether additional travel vaccinations are necessary depends on the destination, planned activities, and the frequency and severity of possible diseases.
Hepatitis A as a Classic Travel Vaccination
A frequently recommended travel vaccination is immunization against hepatitis A. The viruses are transmitted, among other ways, through contaminated food and are much more common in many countries than in Germany.
The disease causes liver inflammation and is usually mild. However, in rare cases, it can have serious consequences. Therefore, hepatitis A is often recommended as a classic travel vaccination, explains Jordan.
Why the Type of Vacation Can Be Crucial
Personal risk also depends on how travelers spend their vacation. Those who mostly stay in a hotel complex usually have less contact with animals or the local environment and are therefore less exposed to certain dangers.
It can be different in places like Bali. Those who visit monkey parks or travel extensively on the island should consider a rabies vaccination. Although the risk of infection is low, the disease is almost always fatal once it breaks out. While there are treatment options after bites or scratches from infected animals, experts still advise precaution.
Even with classic club vacations, risks remain. “Hotel complexes do not protect against foodborne illnesses,” says Jordan. Diseases like traveler’s diarrhea or hepatitis A are still possible. Additionally, there are diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. “You can also get dengue fever in the Maldives,” she says.
Also interesting: What belongs in every travel first-aid kit
Underestimated Travel Destinations with Health Risks
According to Jelinek, the Dominican Republic is an example of an often underestimated travel destination. The popular Caribbean destination is visited by many travelers, but few seek travel medical advice.
There are various health risks there. Jelinek mentions dengue fever, chikungunya, diphtheria, meningococcal diseases, and the bacterial infection leptospirosis. The situation in neighboring Haiti also affects the health situation on the island of Hispaniola.
Which Diseases Are Relevant in Different World Regions
Southeast Asia: Dengue Fever on the Rise
In countries like Thailand, Indonesia with Bali, or Sri Lanka, various mosquito-borne diseases play a role. According to experts, dengue fever is particularly spreading increasingly.
Africa: Malaria Remains an Issue
In parts of Africa, such as Kenya, Tanzania, or Zanzibar, there is still a malaria risk. “But the numbers have increased massively on the island,” warns Jordan regarding Zanzibar.
South and Central America: Consider Yellow Fever
In numerous regions of South America, including Brazil, Argentina, and Peru, yellow fever is a relevant health risk. This also applies to parts of Central America. The Panama Canal marks an important geographical boundary here, according to Jordan. South of it begins the classic yellow fever area.
Where Travelers Can Get Information
The travel advisories of the Foreign Office offer an initial overview. They provide information on health risks, recommended preventive measures, and any required vaccinations for entry for each country.
Additionally, Jordan recommends individual consultation. “The most important thing is to get travel medical advice before any long-distance trip,” says Jordan.
The German Society for Tropical Medicine, Travel Medicine, and Global Health (DTG) offers an online postal code search for specialized doctors and yellow fever vaccination centers. Other contact points are tropical institutes in several German cities and the Center for Travel Medicine with its online search for consultation and vaccination services.
What Vaccinations Do I Need for a Trip to Peru?
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Europe Is Not Free from Travel Diseases Either
Within Europe, health risks also vary significantly. Due to the spread of the tiger mosquito, diseases like dengue fever and chikungunya are becoming more significant, especially in southern Europe.
Outbreaks have already been recorded in Italy, France, and Spain. “Europe is becoming more tropical in that regard.” Protection through mosquito sprays, mosquito nets, and long clothing can therefore be sensible. In regions with current outbreaks, vaccinations can also be useful.
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) remains a relevant issue in Europe. The disease, transmitted by ticks, occurs in the southeastern half of Germany, in Austria, Switzerland, Eastern Europe, and parts of Scandinavia. A vaccine is also available for TBE.
When a Doctor’s Visit Is Important After the Trip
After a trip, symptoms should be taken seriously. Some diseases cause typical symptoms. Dengue fever often comes with severe muscle pain, while chikungunya often causes joint pain.
Fever, headaches, or general weakness can have many causes. Whether it’s a tropical disease or a common viral infection can usually only be clarified medically. “This can only be clarified with a blood test,” says the doctor. “It could also be malaria, which can become life-threatening. So you should definitely check.”
Persistent diarrhea or unclear skin changes after a trip should also be medically examined.
However, Jelinek wishes for more attention before the vacation. Travelers should not seek advice only when they have complaints. His wish: “With the goal that they don’t get sick on vacation in the first place.”
With material from dpa