UKHSA issues warning over deadly disease 'without symptoms'
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is calling on the public to get screened for a potentially fatal illness. The UKHSA works to prevent, prepare for and tackle infectious diseases and environmental threats to safeguard the nation's wellbeing.
The agency has issued an alert regarding Hepatitis C, a virus typically transmitted through blood-to-blood contact with someone who is infected. Across Britain, it is predominantly passed on via shared needles amongst drug users.
Beyond UK borders, substandard medical practices are generally the culprit. Worldwide, roughly 50 million individuals are living with chronic hepatitis C, while around 1 million fresh cases emerge annually. During 2022, hepatitis C was responsible for approximately 242,000 fatalities, chiefly due to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Thankfully, figures have plummeted considerably across the UK in recent times. From 2015 to 2023, chronic hepatitis C cases amongst England's general population dropped dramatically by 56.7 per cent, reports Surrey Live.
Enhanced treatment availability has also resulted in a minimal hepatitis C-related death rate of 0.41 per 100,000 people. Expanded testing programmes are believed to have contributed to this decline, prompting the UKHSA to encourage screening for those meeting specific criteria.
The UKHSA stated: "Have you had a blood transfusion before 1996? Blood transfusions before 1992 and blood products before 1986 in the UK were not routinely tested for hepatitis C.
"Have you ever shared a needle or other equipment for injecting drugs? Have you ever had medical, dental, or cosmetic treatment at home or abroad in unsterile conditions? Have you ever had condomless sex, or shared a razor or toothbrush with someone who might have hepatitis C?
"Have you had a household contact, close family member, or sexual partner with hepatitis C? Were you born in a counter where hepatitis C is more common? This includes countries in Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia?
"If you've answered yes to any of these questions, there may be a chance you have come into contact with hepatitis C. Speak to your GP about getting tested."
Hepatitis C - the facts
The NHS explains that hepatitis C stems from the hepatitis C virus. It frequently presents with minimal or no obvious symptoms, or merely flu-like signs, meaning countless individuals remain oblivious to their infection.
Certain people will successfully combat the infection and eliminate the virus from their system. However, in other instances, it remains dormant in the body for numerous years. This condition is termed chronic hepatitis C and may lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and cancer.
Chronic hepatitis C responds well to highly effective antiviral treatments, though no preventative vaccine currently exists. Without proper treatment, it can trigger severe symptoms and potentially fatal liver damage.
The UKHSA is striving to meet the World Health Organisation's goal of eradicating hepatitis C by 20230. It's estimated that around 92,900 individuals in the UK are living with chronic hepatitis C infection, marking a significant 47 per cent reduction since 2015.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
13 hours ago
- The Independent
What risk does chikungunya pose to the UK after virus outbreak in China?
Cases of a mosquito-borne viral disease have spiked in China this month as the country imposes Covid-era regulations in the most affected areas. There have been nearly 8,000 cases of chikungunya in under a month, focused largely in Foshan city and Guangdong region. The rapid rise in cases has prompted fears of a wider outbreak, despite the strict measures put in place by Chinese authorities. There is also a rising number of imported chikungunya cases in Europe. According to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) here have been 48 cases reported in France since 1 May, alongside two in Italy. Since the beginning of 2025, 240,000 cases and 90 deaths related to chikungunya virus disease have been reported in 16 countries across the globe. In China, authorities have imposed strict measures to prevent the spread of the virus, drawing comparisons to its approach to the Covid pandemic. New rules have seen patients required to stay within quarantine zones inside hospitals, while soldiers wearing masks have been deployed to spray insecticides in public places to exterminate mosquitoes. In the UK, there were 26 infections detected in travellers returning to the country from other locations between January and March this year. The risk in this country remains low, but the UK Health Security Agency is urging people to take precautions when travelling. Hilary Kirkbride, head of travel health at UK Health Security Agency, said: 'There is continued transmission of chikungunya globally and we continue to see infections in travellers returning to the UK. 'It is essential to take precautions against mosquito-borne infections such as chikungunya while travelling abroad. Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering exposed skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets, can effectively reduce the risk. 'Before you travel, check the TravelHealthPro website for the latest health advice on your destination. A chikungunya vaccine may also considered for those travelling to higher risk regions.' Here's everything you need to know about the virus: What is chikungunya virus disease? Chikungunya virus disease is a mosquito-borne disease that is widely found in tropical and subtropical regions. It is only spread to humans by a bite from an infected mosquito, and cannot be passed between humans. The 240,000 cases detected in 2025 so far have been found in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Brazil has the most cases, with over 185,553, followed by Bolivia (4,721) and Argentina (2,836). Two French islands off the east coast of Africa, La Réunion and Mayotte, are also experiencing ongoing outbreaks of the disease, with over 55,000 cases combined as of July 2025. The virus was first detected in Tanzania in 1952, after which it spread to other countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia. It has been reported in 119 countries across the globe to date. What are the symptoms of chikungunya? Most people will develop symptoms of chikungunya within three to seven days of being bitten by an infected mosquito. One of the most pronounced symptoms is joint pain, which can be severe in some cases. Other symptoms include fever, rash, headache, muscle pain and swollen joints. In most cases, an infected individual will feel better within a week. However, severe cases can see joint pain persist for months or even years. Those most at risk from severe symptoms include newborns, older people, and those with underlying health conditions. Deaths from the disease are rare.
South Wales Argus
20 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Respiratory Syncytial Virus: UK warning over rise in cases
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common cause of coughs and colds, with most children getting an RSV infection at least once before they turn two years old. However, it can cause "serious breathing problems", and following a record number of RSV cases in Australia, the UK is being warned over a similar rise here. NHS officials said that the Australian winter is often a good predictor of how viruses will spread in England. What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus? Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections are described as "very common" by the NHS , but can cause serious illness in the elderly and young children. Despite typically being unserious, some babies and adults have a higher risk of getting seriously ill from RSV. The virus is a common cause of a type of chest infection called bronchiolitis in babies, which can cause breathing problems and may need to be treated in hospital. There is a vaccine for RSV, which, as the NHS explains, is recommended if: You're pregnant (from 28 weeks of pregnancy) – this will help protect your baby for the first few months after they're born You're aged 75 to 79 Last week, the UK Health Security Agency published data showing the efficacy of the vaccine. It was revealed that the jab for pregnant women can prevent 72% of hospital admissions for their babies. Meanwhile, the UKHSA said the vaccine is 82% effective at preventing hospital admissions for RSV among older adults. Symptoms of an RSV infection The NHS says symptoms of an RSV infection typically start within a few days of getting infected. Most people only get cold-like symptoms, such as: a runny or blocked nose a cough sneezing tiredness a high temperature – signs include your back or chest feeling hotter than usual, sweatiness and shivering (chills) It says that babies with RSV may also be irritable and feed less than usual. What is RSV? 💭 It's a respiratory virus that can cause serious illness in the elderly & young children. If a woman has the vaccination during pregnancy, it cuts the risk of serious lung infection caused by #RSV in her baby's first 6 months Read more: — UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) August 4, 2025 However, if the virus leads to a more serious infection (such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis), it may also cause: a cough that gets worse shortness of breath faster breathing or long gaps between breaths difficulty feeding (in babies) or loss of appetite noisy breathing (wheezing) confusion (in older adults) Warning to UK over rise in RSV cases Health experts have warned that the UK should brace for a surge in RSV following a record number of cases in Australia. Officials have said that cases have been steadily increasing in England since the start of 2025, and NHS England has urged pregnant women to get the vaccine to protect newborn babies. It said that the virus is a leading cause of death among babies and the main cause of hospital admissions for children. Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for NHS England, said: 'While for most adults RSV only causes mild, cold-like symptoms, for older adults and young children it can lead to serious breathing problems that can end up in hospitalisation. 'Getting vaccinated while pregnant is the best way to protect your baby from the moment they are born, and now is the time for mums to act, to make sure their babies are protected ahead of their first few months this winter, when there tends to be more bugs circulating.' Recommended reading: Pregnant women can get the jab from 28 weeks of pregnancy onwards through their maternity services or GP surgery. Older adults aged 75-79 are also eligible for the jab. NHS England will start inviting people to come forward in the next few weeks.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Urgent warning as three brands of wet-wipes are found to be riddled with life-threatening bacteria - contamination has triggered infection in 51 people
Health chiefs have urged Britons to check their first aid kits for three brands of skin cleansing wipes linked to an outbreak of life-threatening bacteria. It comes after an investigation by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) found the non-sterile wipes to be contaminated with Burkholderia stabilis bacteria. Officials have confirmed 51 people have been affected by the outbreak in the UK between 2018 and 2025. The bacteria has not caused any deaths so far but the UKHSA said 'there have been some serious infections which have required hospital treatment.' This type of bacteria doesn't tend to affect the general population, but can infect those with compromised immune systems and cystic fibrosis. It is also more likely to infect people who use the wipes when preparing an intravenous (IV) line—which administers medications and fluids—at home. They believe the cases are likely linked to three particular skin wipe brands that are alcohol-free and not marketed as 'sterile'. These include ValueAid Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes, Microsafe Moist Wipe Alcohol Free and Steroplast Sterowipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes. Their tests also revealed another brand, Reliwipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes, were contaminated, but not with the Burkholderia strain linked to the outbreak. These products, which may have been used for 'skin cleansing' and cleaning around wounds, have been pulled from shelves but may still be in first aid kits, they warned. In rare cases, if it causes a serious bloodstream infection, Burkholderia stabilis bacteria can be life threatening. If anyone has bought the named wipes, the UKHSA has urged them to bin them in their household waste as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, if you have used the wipes, they said you do not need to seek medical advice unless you have certain symptoms. These include a wound or break in skin with redness, swelling, increased pain, warmth around it, pus or other drainage. Similarly, you should do so if you have an infection involving an IV line with redness, swelling, or pain around the insertion site and or fevers and chills. Going forward, they have advised people to only use wipes labelled as 'sterile' on broken skin such as wounds, scratches, or where you can see blood. They have also warned people to check the wipes in their first aid kits which are marked as 'sterile', ensuring that the packaging is not damaged, and the products are in date. If any are damaged or are past their expiry date, they urged people to dispose of them in their household waste. And if you manage an IV line yourself at home, they advise only using wipes if and as instructed by your medical team. They added that other non-sterile, alcohol-free wipes, although not included in the alert, shouldn't be used to treat injuries, cut and broken skin as 'their safety cannot be guaranteed'. Dr James Elston, consultant in epidemiology and public health at UKHSA, said: 'While the overall risk to the public remains very low, a number of non-sterile alcohol-free wipe products have been linked to an outbreak of Burkholderia stabilis. 'It is important these types of wipes are not used for the treatment of injuries, wounds, or broken skin, and that they are not used to clean intravenous lines.' Meanwhile, Dr Cave, chief safety officer of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency added: 'We consider wipes which are intended for a medical purpose to be medicines. 'These products do not have a medicines authorisation. 'Anyone who has used alcohol-free wipes and has concerns about potential infection is advised to speak with a healthcare professional.' This bacteria is different to the deadly Burkholderia pseudomallei that kills up to 50 per cent of people it infects and is now listed as an endemic along the US gulf coast. Experts have said the more deadly bacteria is lurking in soil and stagnant water across the 1,600 miles from Texas to Florida. Those suffering with Burkholderia pseudomallei can develop pneumonia and sepsis which can be fatal.
