UK travellers have been warned about the risk of food poisoning in 13 holiday destinations, following a study by Cambridge University. The research, backed by the Foreign Office, identified countries where tourists face higher odds of contracting illnesses such as Shigellosis, Salmonellosis, and Giardiasis.
The Travel Health Pro website issued an alert, advising travellers to take precautions, especially outside the EU. Between July and October 2023, a rise in stomach bugs was reported among travellers returning to England from Egypt, Mexico, Tunisia, and Turkey, with many staying in all-inclusive resorts. Egypt had 23 times higher odds of illness compared to France.
In high-risk destinations, eating from hotel buffets, drinking fruit juice or smoothies, swallowing water from environmental sources, and consuming food on excursions were linked to higher infection odds. The study notes that actual infection numbers may be higher, as only cases diagnosed after return were counted.
