Health officials have issued an urgent alert as chikungunya virus cases among UK travellers nearly tripled in the first half of 2025. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) detected 73 cases between January and June, compared to 27 cases in the same period last year.
The disease is spread by mosquito bites and causes sudden fever and severe joint pain. Most people recover within two weeks, although joint pain can last for months or even years in some cases.
Serious complications are not common, but the disease can be fatal in rare cases, particularly in very young or older people, or those with underlying health conditions. The majority of cases were linked to travel to Sri Lanka, India and Mauritius, with all infections reported in England, primarily in London.
No UK transmission risk
There is currently no risk of onward transmission within the UK, as the two mosquito species that spread chikungunya are not established in Britain. The disease mainly occurs in Africa and Asia, particularly southern Asia, though outbreaks have surged this year in China and Indian Ocean islands.
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."
He emphasised essential precautions: "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."
Vaccines available privately
Two chikungunya vaccines are approved for use in the UK and are available to buy after an assessment at a private travel clinic. This provides protection options for travellers visiting higher-risk destinations.
First cases of new virus
UKHSA has also detected the first UK cases of oropouche virus, with three infections all linked to travel from Brazil. The virus is spread by midge bites and 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 reported near the Amazon rainforest area, but Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Guyana, Peru and the Dominican Republic reported locally transmitted cases in 2024.
Other travel disease trends
The UKHSA report reveals rising travel-associated cholera cases, with eight cases in the first half of 2025 compared to just one in 2024. Most cases were linked to travel to India and Ethiopia.
However, dengue cases decreased by 67 per cent in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from January to June. Zika virus infections also fell from nine cases in 2024 to just four cases during the same period this year.
Sources used: "PA Media", "WalesOnline", "Independent", "BBC" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
