Health risks associated with long-distance travel are increasing significantly due to the global spread of mosquito-borne infectious diseases. Recent data from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for spring 2026 document a worrying trend in South America: In the first few months of the year alone, over 422.000 suspected cases of dengue fever were registered.
Travel medicine specialists emphasize that internet research alone is often insufficient to assess individual risk. A crucial factor is the patient's personal medical history, as pre-existing conditions or the use of certain medications, such as for rheumatism, can preclude the use of live vaccines and necessitate alternative protective strategies.
Experts are currently focusing particularly on the spread of chikungunya and dengue fever, which are no longer confined to tropical regions. The Asian tiger mosquito has now established itself in parts of Europe. In 2025, nearly 800 cases of chikungunya were reported in France and almost 400 in Italy. A recent study published in the February 2026 issue of the "Journal of the Royal Society Interface" also demonstrates that the chikungunya virus is more easily transmitted at lower temperatures than previously thought. This increases the risk for travelers within Europe as well as in popular destinations such as the Maldives or India, where awareness of such infections is often lower.
Besides protection against exotic pathogens, physicians like Dr. Erich Pawelka from the Favoriten Clinic point out that the foundation for any trip is an up-to-date vaccination status according to the national vaccination schedule. Many travelers neglect booster shots for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), and polio, which are now recommended every five years instead of every ten. Japanese encephalitis, which is now even present in Australia, as well as specific vaccination requirements for pilgrimages to Mecca—such as proof of meningococcal vaccination—make professional consultation several weeks before departure essential. Only in this way can a precise coordination between planned activities, such as backpacking in the hinterland or hotel stays, and the necessary preventative measures be achieved.
The increasing dynamics of infectious disease outbreaks necessitate continuous monitoring of travel destinations. While areas like the Amazon basin are traditionally associated with yellow fever, recent reports indicate that even seemingly safe zones can become new endemic areas. Specialized travel medicine centers have access to up-to-date information on local outbreaks and can therefore provide precise recommendations for mosquito protection and prophylactic medication. The combination of personalized medical advice and consideration of current epidemiological trends is considered the gold standard for safe travel preparation in 2026.