We have identified you may not be viewing TRAVAX optimally because the browser you are using is unsupported - click here.

Suitcase

Lunar New Year 2025

20 January 2025

The lunar new year (also known as Chinese New Year, Spring Festival, Chunyun, Tet, and Seollal among others) is celebrated around the world. Official celebrations are held in many Asian countries including China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, and Tibet.

Lunar new year marks the start of the new year based on lunar calendars. In 2025, it falls on 29 January and welcomes the year of the Snake. Celebrations will last for 14 days, concluding with the Lantern Festival on 12 February 2025.

The lunar new year is the world's largest annual human migration as people traditionally travel home to celebrate with their families. Because of the sheer scale of this event, there is an associated enhanced risk of spread for a range of infections, and travellers should be aware how to protect themselves.

Advice to Travellers

When large crowds of people gather, the risk of accidents and injuries occurring can increase:

  • all travellers should be advised to obtain comprehensive travel insurance to cover the duration of their trip and any planned activities, including cover for any pre-existing medical conditions.

The potential health risks for travellers will vary between individuals depending on:

  • the amount of time they plan to spend in a particular country
  • planned activities during their trip
  • mode(s) of travel being used (e.g. air, rail, river cruise)
  • individual risk factors for the traveller (e.g. age, pre-existing health conditions, regular medications, pregnancy)

See the TRAVAX Destination pages for further information on potential health risks for specific countries.

Respiratory Infections

The World Health Organization (WHO) is reporting an increase in respiratory infections worldwide, including the Northen hemisphere this winter season. Infectious diseases such as seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19 and other common respiratory viruses spread easily between people in crowds. Therefore, it is important to

Avian Influenza

Avian Influenza (bird flu) is a virus in birds that can spread from infected birds to other animals and humans. Although human cases of avian influenza are rare, visitors to Asia should be aware of:

Dengue fever

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports continued transmission of dengue worldwide, including in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific regions.

For up-to-date case numbers, see:

Aedes mosquitoes transmit dengue and are particularly persistent and aggressive. They bite between dawn and dusk.

  • Prevention relies on avoiding mosquito bites at all times.
  • Treatment for dengue is supportive only.
  • Guidance on the recommended use of Qdenga® vaccine is available in the Green Book.

Other preventative advice

Many other health problems experienced by travellers cannot be prevented by vaccinations, and preventative measures should be recommended at all times, including:

After Travel

Travellers who become unwell after returning home to the UK, particularly with fever and/or respiratory symptoms, should be advised to call their GP or NHS 111 and to inform the health professional of their recent travel history.