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Brit holidaymakers have been urged to take one vital step to protect their health before going away to ensure they don't ruin their much-needed breaks.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has raised concerns over a blossoming deadly disease taking hold in Britain, with cases of measles on the cusp of rising in 2025. The once eradicated virus has been making a creeping national comeback in recent years, and infections are also taking root overseas.

The agency has warned people to ensure they remember to get their jabs before heading abroad, ensuring the disease cannot "ruin your holiday".

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In a post on social media, the agency said people planning to escape over the next two months should take up a jab and ensure they have full protection afforded by the Meales, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. The government agency wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "Planning an autumn or winter getaway? Don't let measles ruin your holiday.

"Two doses of the MMR vaccine give you full protection, and you can catch up at your GP practice if you've missed any." Measles is still a relatively widespread disease outside the UK, and is deadly in severe cases.

Canada and Mexico, as well as Indonesia and India, all popular tourist destinations for Brits, have documented ongoing outbreaks, and since January, authorities have recorded 742 cases in England alone. Measles is one of the most infectious diseases in the world, and the MMR, if up to date, offers lifelong immunity.

Those who aren't immune could be left at risk of contracting the disease, opening them up to a raft of well-documented unpleasant symptoms that can sometimes lead to death.

According to the NHS, the virus feels like a cold at first, with early symptoms including a high temperature, blocked or runny nose, sneeezing, a cough, and red, sore, watery eyes. The virus' hallmark red and brown rash appears a few days after the initial symptoms, typically first presenting on the face and behind the ears before spreading through the rest of the body.

Measles can get better on its own after around a week, but in some cases can cause deadly complications, especially if it's allowed to spread without intervention.

If left to fester, the disease is known to cause pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, and even seizures. Both adults and children who contract measles can be at risk of experiencing the more severe symptoms. People who have had previous infections or the MMR are afforded lifelong immunity.