For many years, travel health advice focused primarily on vaccinations, food and water safety, and destination-specific diseases. While these remain important, climate change is increasingly becoming a major factor in travel health planning.
Across the globe, travellers are experiencing more extreme weather events, longer heatwaves, changing disease patterns, and environmental hazards that were once considered unusual.
This year, parts of Europe are experiencing exceptionally high temperatures, while climate experts are monitoring the development of El Niño conditions that could influence weather patterns worldwide throughout the year.
Whether you’re planning a family holiday, a business trip, or a long-haul adventure, understanding climate-related health risks is becoming an essential part of travelling safely.
Heatwaves are becoming a serious travel health concern
One of the most noticeable effects of climate change is the increase in the frequency, duration, and intensity of heatwaves. Europe is now recognised as the fastest-warming continent, with extreme heat events becoming more common.
Health experts warn that prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and complications for people with existing medical conditions.
For travellers, this means destinations that once offered reliably comfortable summer conditions may now experience temperatures that pose genuine health risks.
Hotter holidays require more preparation
Many popular holiday destinations are seeing summer temperatures climb higher than historical averages.
Countries such as:
- Spain
- Greece
- Italy
- Portugal
- Cyprus
- Turkey
regularly experience periods where daytime temperatures exceed 35°C and sometimes reach 40°C or more.
These conditions increase the risk of:
- Dehydration
- Heat exhaustion
- Heatstroke
- Sunburn
- Cardiovascular strain
- Worsening respiratory conditions
Children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with underlying health conditions are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness.
Travellers increasingly need to think about hydration, sun protection, cooling strategies, and activity planning in ways that may not have been necessary a decade ago.
Climate change is expanding disease risks
Rising temperatures can also influence where insects and disease-carrying organisms are able to survive.
Mosquitoes and ticks thrive under certain environmental conditions, and warming climates are allowing some species to expand into areas where they were previously uncommon.
This can increase exposure to diseases such as:
- Dengue fever
- West Nile virus
- Tick-borne encephalitis
- Lyme disease
While many travellers still associate these illnesses with tropical regions, changing environmental conditions mean some risks are appearing in new locations, including parts of Europe.
Travel health advice increasingly includes insect bite prevention regardless of whether travellers are visiting traditional tropical destinations.
Wildfires are affecting more tourist destinations
Over recent summers, wildfires have disrupted holidays across parts of Southern Europe, North America, and other regions.
Beyond the obvious safety concerns, wildfire smoke can create significant health risks, particularly for people with:
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Heart conditions
- Allergies
Poor air quality can affect travellers even when fires are many miles away. Before travelling, it is increasingly wise to monitor environmental conditions and local advisories, particularly during peak summer months.
Water-related health risks are changing
Warmer temperatures affect more than just the air. Health experts note that rising water temperatures can increase the risk of certain waterborne illnesses and harmful bacteria in recreational waters.
Increased use of lakes, rivers, and coastal areas during hot weather can further increase exposure. Travellers should remain cautious when swimming in unfamiliar natural water sources and follow local public health advice where available.
Extreme weather can disrupt access to healthcare
Climate-related events can also affect healthcare access during travel. Heatwaves, floods, storms, and wildfires may place pressure on local healthcare systems or disrupt transport networks.
This makes preparation especially important for travellers who:
- Have chronic medical conditions
- Require regular medication
- Travel with young children
- Have mobility limitations
Carrying sufficient medication, maintaining travel insurance, and understanding local healthcare options are becoming increasingly important aspects of travel planning.
Travel health advice is evolving
Travel health professionals are adapting to these changing realities.
In addition to discussing vaccinations and disease prevention, consultations increasingly cover:
- Heat-related health risks
- Environmental hazards
- Insect-borne disease prevention
- Air quality concerns
- Extreme weather preparedness
The aim is to help travellers make informed decisions based on current conditions rather than relying solely on historical assumptions about a destination.
Climate change is no longer a distant environmental issue: it is having a direct impact on travel health today.
Before travelling, taking the time to seek professional travel health services can help you prepare for these changing conditions, reduce health risks, and enjoy a safer, more comfortable journey wherever your travels take you.