UK tourists return with virus that ‘makes you ill for 3 years’ from 25 holiday hotspots - full list
The Mirror • • health
Key Points:
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported a 43% increase in chikungunya cases among travellers returning to the UK in 2025, with 160 cases compared to 112 in 2024, mainly from Asia and the Indian Ocean region.
- Most infections were reported in London, with key affected countries including Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh; symptoms include fever and joint pain, which can persist for months or years in some patients.
- Two chikungunya vaccines have recently been approved in the UK and are available privately through travel clinics after professional assessment.
- Health officials advise travellers to take precautions against mosquito bites, such as using DEET-based repellents, covering skin, and using insecticide-treated bed nets, especially during Easter and spring travel.
- UKHSA also noted that imported malaria cases remain high, with 1,629 cases reported in 2025, emphasizing the importance of antimalarial tablets and mosquito bite prevention for travellers.
