Well being authorities have warned of a “worrying improve” in circumstances of a mosquito-borne an infection in individuals returning to the UK from overseas.
A total of 73 cases of chikungunya have been reported between January and June 2025 – greater than double the 27 circumstances reported in the identical interval final yr, the UK Well being Company (UKHSA) mentioned.
Information launched by the company additionally revealed three circumstances of oropouche virus, marking the primary time the virus has been reported within the UK.
Right here is the whole lot it is advisable learn about each viruses, from signs to prevention and what might be behind the surge in circumstances.
What’s chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a illness attributable to a virus of the identical title. It was first recognized following an outbreak in Tanzania in 1952.
The title is derived from a phrase within the Tanzanian language Makonde, and means “that which bends up”, owing to the joint ache it may trigger.
It’s unfold by mosquito bites, particularly from yellow fever and tiger mosquitoes, in tropical and subtropical areas.
File pic: iStock
What are the signs?
Typical signs embrace fever, muscle ache, nausea, fatigue and a rash.
The UKHSA says joint ache can persist for months and even years, with as much as 12% of individuals nonetheless experiencing discomfort three years after an infection.
The bulk of people that change into contaminated get better inside one to 2 weeks while not having medical consideration.
Critical issues are unusual, and solely very uncommon circumstances are deadly. Infants or aged individuals with different underlying diseases are probably the most susceptible.
The 2 mosquitoes identified to transmit the illness, yellow fever and tiger, should not presently discovered within the UK.
How does oropouche virus differ?
Oropouche virus is unfold predominantly by midge bites relatively than mosquito bites.
Whereas bites from each bugs could cause pink itchy lumps on the pores and skin, mosquito bites are typically bigger and extra painful, whereas midge bites are smaller and should last more.
Signs could be much like chikungunya, and embrace joint paint, headache, chills, nausea and excessive fever.
The UKHSA says anybody who turns into unwell with these signs after travelling ought to search “pressing medical recommendation”.
A midge bit could cause oropouche virus. Pic: iStock
The place are you able to catch the viruses?
Common outbreaks of chikungunya happen in Africa, Asia and the Americas, with occasional smaller cases in Europe.
The UKHSA mentioned nearly all of the 73 reported circumstances from the primary six months of this yr reported travelling to Sri Lanka, India and Mauritius. The circumstances have been linked to native outbreaks within the Indian Ocean area.
As of final month, there have been about 240,000 circumstances of chikungunya – and 90 deaths – in 16 international locations, in line with the European Centres for Illness Prevention and Management (ECDC).
In the meantime, all of the UK circumstances of oropouche virus have been related to journey to Brazil.
Final yr, 44 circumstances have been reported in a number of European international locations together with Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Sweden and the Netherlands, in line with the ECDC.
A employee sprays insecticide following an outbreak of chikungunya in China. Pic: Reuters
China is presently experiencing the biggest chikungunya outbreak ever documented within the nation, in line with Cesar Lopez-Camacho of the College of Oxford.
Greater than 7,000 circumstances have been reported since June, with 90% of these concentrated in Guangdong province, which borders Hong Kong.
Methods to put together earlier than travelling
Dr Philip Veal, a guide in public well being at UKHSA mentioned it’s “important” for individuals to take precautions in opposition to mosquito bites when travelling.
“Easy steps, comparable to utilizing insect repellent, masking up your pores and skin and sleeping below insecticide-treated mattress nets can tremendously scale back the chance,” he mentioned.
Checking the most recent well being recommendation in your vacation spot earlier than you journey can also be really useful.
The LSHTM added that individuals can do the next to scale back publicity to mosquito and midge bites:
• Match screens to home windows and doorways;
• Keep away from peak exercise throughout nightfall and daybreak;
• Eliminate any standing water the place mosquitoes breed.
There are additionally two vaccines for chikungunya authorised to be used within the UK: IXCHIQ, for individuals aged 18 to 59 and Vimkunya, for people 12 years and older.
Each are that can be purchased privately from journey clinics after an evaluation by a healthcare skilled.
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What’s behind the rise in circumstances?
The variety of outbreaks of chikungunya has elevated since 2000, Robert Jones, an assistant professor on the London Faculty of Hygiene and Tropical Drugs (LSHTM) mentioned.
Mr Jones put this increase partly all the way down to local weather change and concrete enlargement.
Dr Yang Liu, one other professor at LSHTM, mentioned the outbreak in China is just not completely sudden, however highlights the manifestation of a identified danger, as yellow fever and tiger mosquitoes have been current within the space for a few years.
