Health officials have urged people to take precautions against mosquito bites while travelling abroad following a sharp rise in chikungunya cases among those returning to the UK. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported 73 cases between January and June 2025, compared to 27 cases during the same period last year.
The majority of infections were linked to travel to Sri Lanka, India and Mauritius. All cases were reported in England, with most concentrated in London.
Disease symptoms and risks
Chikungunya is a virus spread by mosquito bites that causes sudden fever and joint pain. Most people recover within two weeks, although joint pain can persist for months or even years in some cases, according to UKHSA.
While serious complications are uncommon, the disease can be fatal in rare cases, particularly affecting very young or older people and those with underlying health conditions. There is currently no risk of onward transmission in the UK, as the mosquito species that carry the disease are not established here.
Global outbreak patterns
The illness mainly occurs in Africa and Asia, particularly southern Asia, though cases have been reported in Europe and parts of North America. This year has seen outbreaks across the Americas and Asia, with surges in China and the Indian Ocean islands of Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius.
Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: "Chikungunya can be a nasty disease and we're seeing a worrying increase in cases among travellers returning to the UK. While this mosquito-borne infection is rarely fatal, it can cause severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, sensitivity to light and skin rashes. Thankfully symptoms usually improve within a few weeks, but joint pain may last for months or longer. It is essential to take precautions against mosquito bites when travelling. Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering up your skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets can greatly reduce the risk."
Vaccine availability
Two chikungunya vaccines are approved for use in the UK and available for purchase after assessment at private travel clinics.
New oropouche virus threat
UKHSA has detected the first UK cases of oropouche virus, with three cases linked to travel from Brazil. The virus, spread by midge bites, causes flu-like symptoms including fever, headaches, joint pain, muscle pain, chills, nausea and vomiting.
Officials urged anyone who becomes unwell with these symptoms after travel to affected areas, including parts of Central and South America and the Caribbean, to seek urgent medical advice. According to the World Health Organisation, before late 2023, oropouche virus was mostly confined to the Amazon rainforest area, but in 2024, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Guyana, Peru and the Dominican Republic reported locally transmitted cases.
Other travel disease trends
The UKHSA report shows eight travel-associated cholera cases in the first half of the year, compared to just one in 2024, with most linked to travel to India and Ethiopia. Conversely, dengue cases dropped by 67 per cent in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from January to June, while zika virus cases fell from nine to four.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
